Amani

Cecilia Wairimu (born 1980 in Thika), better known for her stage name Amani, is a pop musician from Kenya. She has won various awards, including the Best Female category at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards.

Career

She went to Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School, where she was part of the accapella group Sobriety. Amani signed to Ogopa Deejays in 1999, soon after graduating from high school.In 2000 she joined United States International University to study International Business Administration. Her first single "Move on" was a radio hit, and was followed by hits single "Tahidi" and "Papii" in 2001 ^[1][2] Her 2002 collaboration with Nameless 'Ninanoki', was a major national hit.^[1] Her later singles include "Talk to You" (featuring Patonee and Big Pin), "Bad Boy" (featuring Nyashinski of Kleptomaniax), Usiwe Mbali (featuring AY), "Tamani", "Missing My Baby" and "Tonight".^[1]

She has recently been signed to Sony Music under Rockstar 4000 (2010). She recently worked on a ground breaking song with International R n B singer R.Kelly alongside top African stars i.e. Ali Kiba, Navio, Fally Ipupa, 2face Idibia, JK, 4*4 and Movazeleine. The song titled 'Hands Across the World' made it to the billboard 100 and had over 1 million downloads in Africa.

She is currently the brand Ambassador for Airtel Kenya.

Her debut album Tamani was released in 2006 .^[3] She has toured in the United States, Norway, Germany, United Kingdom, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda and performed in Dubai, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Liberia and Djibouti. .^[3]

Awards & nominations

Awards

• 2006 Kisima Music Awards - Female Artiste of the year ^[4]
• 2006 Kisima Music Awards - Collabo of the year ("Bad Boy" with Nyashiski) ^[4]
• 2006 CHAT Awards - Favourite Female Artiste ^[5]
• 2006 CHAT Awards - Favourite Song ^[5]
• 2006 CHAT Awards - Favourite Collabo ^[5]
• 2007 Kisima Music Awards - Boomba Female ^[6]
• 2007 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) - Best Female Artist (Kenya) ^[7]
• 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards - Best Female ^[8]
• Pure and Natural Most Inspiring Young Woman 2010.
• Pearl of Africa Music Award-Best Female Artist 2010.

Nominations

• 2002 CHAT Awards ^[5]
• 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards - Best Kenyan Female Artiste.^[9]
• 2007 Tanzania Music Awards - Best East African Song ("Bad Boy") ^[10]
• 2008 Tanzania Music Awards - Best East African Song ("Missing My Baby") ^[11]
• 2008 Channel O Music Video Awards - Best R&B video in Africa ("Missing My Baby") ^[12]
• 2008 Channel O Music Video Awards - Best East African Song ("Missing My Baby") ^[12]
• 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards - Best Female Video ("Tonight") ^[13]
• 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards - Best R & B video ("Tonight") ^[13]
• 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards - Best East African ("Tonight") ^[13]
• 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards - Video of the Year ("Tonight") ^[13]

References