Nviiri Sande (born 19 August 1991), professionally known as Nviiri the Storyteller is a Kenyan singer and songwriter. In 2019, he gained mainstream recognition following being signed to Sol Generation Records and the release of the song Extravaganza.
Early life Nviiri attended Dagoretti High School, Nairobi. He studied mechanical engineering in college and later worked at his father's workshop.
Career
Before signing with Sol Generation Records, Nviiri worked as a behind-the-scenes videographer for Sauti Sol. The boy band did not know Nviiri could sing and only knew after Bien heard him play the guitar. Bien encouraged Nviiri to pursue music. Nviiri was part of a gospel band and toured South Korea. Nviiri wrote Melanin for Sauti Sol featuring Patoranking.
Nviiri broke into the mainstream scene in 2019, following the release of the song Extravaganza, which announced new Sol Generation signees. He then released Pombe Sigara.
In 2021, he released a six-track EP, Kitenge. It included the songs; Baridi featuring Sanaipei Tande, Mae Wendi, Kitenge, Niko Sawa featuring Bien, Bembeleza and Birthday Song featuring Khaligraph Jones, Sauti Sol and Bensoul. Beverly Kaiga of Tangaza Magazine writes that the album "details the love story of a couple that is fated to fail, as predicted in the Tarot cards on the EP's album art". In 2021, the song Niko Sawa, was the most-streamed song in Kenya on Spotify. In the same year, he also released the single Nikita.
In 2023, he released his album Inside Out which includes 15 tracks. The album included collaborations with artists like Bien, Bensoul, Chike and Bayanni. The album has three phases Bwana Sherehe (party animal), Love & Heartbreak and Consciousness. The song Nikilewa, from the album was listed by Rolling Stone on the Top 40 Best Afropop Songs of 2023 list.
In 2024, he announced that he was leaving Sol Generation Records following the end of his five-year contract with the label.
Artistry Nviiri is described as a blend of Afropop, soul and R & B.
Awards and recognition
Awards AwardsYearRecipient (S) and nominee (S) CategoryResultRefAfrican Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA)2021Nviiri The Storyteller Best Male Artist in Eastern Africa‘Nairobi’ by Bensoul ft. Sauti Sol, Nviiri the StorytellerBest African VideoSauti Sol ft Bensoul, Nviiri The Storyteller, Xeniah & NHPBest Artist, Duo or BandPulse Music Video Awards2021Nviiri The Storyteller ft Bien-Niko sawaBest Collaboration of the YearBensoul, Sauti Sol, Nviiri & Mejja- NairobiBest Collaboration of the YearPulse Music Video Awards2022Nviiri The Storyteller-NikitaMale Video of the Year
Recognition In 2021, Business Daily listed him in the Top 40 Under 40 list.
References