Cecilia Wairimu (born 28 November 1980), better known by her stage name Amani, is a Kenyan singer and songwriter. Her contributions to the Kenyan music industry have earned her several coveted accolades, including the Best Female category at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards, Pearl of Africa Music Awards, Kisima Awards, and Chaguo La Teeniez Awards. She released her debut album in 2006.
Career Beginnings Amani attended Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School, where she was part of the a cappella group Sobriety. She signed a record deal with Ogopa Deejays in 1999, right after graduating from high school. She enrolled at the United States International University in 2000 and studied international business administration.
Career breakthrough: 200006; Tamani Her debut single "Move On" was a radio hit. She released her follow-up singles "Tahidi" and "Papii" in 2001.The Standard, October 30, 2009: Amani’s road to the topDaily Nation, Young Nation magazine, February 22, 2004: THE STARS: What really shaped their lives? Her 2002 collaboration with Nameless, titled "Ninanoki", was a major national hit. 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".
She is currently the brand Ambassador for Airtel Kenya.
Her debut album, Tamani, was released in 2006.The Standard, Pulse Magazine, August 8, 2008: Amani: She has toured in the United States, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, Namibia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Moreover, she has performed in Dubai, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Liberia and Djibouti.
2010present: Grand comeback to the music industry In 2010, Amani was featured on "Hands Across The World", a song written and produced by R Kelly. The song serves as the first release for the African supergroup One 8, composed of Amani, Ali Kiba, Navio, Fally Ipupa, 2face Idibia, JK, 4x4, and Movaizhaleine. Described as "an uplifting ballad" by Billboard's Diane Coetzer, the song was released by Rockstar 4000 Music Entertainment.
In 2013, she worked with Uganda's dancehall duo Radio & Weasel to release the song "Kiboko Changu", which serves as the lead single off her latest album. In 2015, she released the single "Kizungu Zungu". In July 2015, she released the reggae and dancehall-influenced song "Heartbreaker". Its music video was shot at Nairobi's Garden Estate and officially released on 8 September 2015.
Cecilia Wairimu got born again in 2018 with 'My God' and 'Upendo' being some of her songs as a born again Christian.
Discography
Singles and studio albums
Year Single Album Ref(s)2000"Move On"Tamani2001"Tahidi""Papii"2002"Ninanoki" (Amani featuring Nameless)2006"Missing My Baby"2008"Usiwe Mbali Nami" (Amani featuring AY)rowspan=5 2009"Tonight"2013"Kiboko Changu" (Amani featuring Radio & Weasel)2015"Kizungu Zungu""Heartbreaker"
Awards and nominations Year Association Award Nominated work Result Ref(s)2002Chaguo La Teeniez AwardsBest Female Artist20062006 Kisima Music Awards Female Artiste of the year Collabo of the year "Bad Boy" with Nyashiski CHAT Awards Favourite Female Artiste The Standard, Pulse Magazine, May 5, 2006: The chosen few Favourite Song Favourite Collabo Pearl of Africa Music Awards Best Kenyan Female ArtisteMusicuganda.com: PAM 2006 nominees 2007 2007 Kisima Music Awards Boomba Female Kisima Awards - Winners 2007 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) Best Female Artist (Kenya) Museke: Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) awards 2007 winners - Uganda Tanzania Music Awards Best East African Song "Bad Boy" 2008Tanzania Music Awards Best East African Song "Missing My Baby" Channel O Music Video Awards Best R&B video in Africa Music Industry Online: 2008 Channel O Music Video Awards Nominees Best East African Song 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards Best Female Video "Tonight" Museke: 2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards nominees Best R&B video rowspan=3 Best East African Video of the Year MTV Africa Music Awards 2009Best Female Museke: MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2009 winners 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 Best Collaboration "Kiboko Changu" featuring Radio and Weasel
Recognitions Pure and Natural Most Inspiring Young Woman 2010. Pearl of Africa Music Award-Best Female Artist 2010
References