Henrie Mutuku
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| Henrie Mutuku | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 1978, Kenya |
| Origin | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Genre(s) | Gospel music |
| Years active | 2002 - present |
| Label(s) | Last Day Records |
| Website | www.henriemutuku.com |
Henrie Mutuku is a multi award winning Kenyan Gospel Singer.
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[edit] Early life
Mutuku was born in Nairobi in 1978, the firstborn with three brothers to Mr. and Mrs. Mutuku. She grew up in the Eastlands, a densely populated area in Nairobi inhabited by generally low income residents, and from a very young age was exposed to a diverse range of music styles including R&B, Reggae, Rap, Benga, Lingala and other African blends of music.
Without her parents backing she learnt to sing and play the piano, and started performing early in life at family gatherings before graduating to singing in Sunday School class in a neighborhood church and later with the church choir. Mutuku considered pursuing a singing career during high school, where she was an active member of the Drama Club and Choir mistress for the school choir.
She is fluent in Swahili, English, Kamba (her mother-tongue) and Sheng. [1]
[edit] Music career
Henrie started working in music with local Christian artists like Izzo and Pete Odera as a background vocalist. She later featured predominantly in a 2002 compilation album ‘Rebirth’ produced by Soul Child Inc[2]. Her career was catapulted after duel winning the KORA 2002 Best Artiste East Africa[3].
Mutuku's debut album was “Simama” (Stand) which has gone on to contribute hit songs like “Usichoke” (featuring Roughtone and R.K) and “Manzi wa Maana" (featuring K.J. of Redykulass-a Kenyan comedy troupe). She has also featured prominently in popular music countdown radio shows like Kiss 100’s “Smirnoff Top 7 songs in Nairobi”, East Africa FM Radio’s ‘Link’ and Kampala FM as voted by listeners[citation needed].
Mutuku has curtain raised for Bebo Norman at two concerts, allowing her to make her first music video, “Nakuhitaji” (I Need you), created by the local Family T.V. for the promotion of the Bebo Norman Tour. She very recently recorded yet another music video for the song “Amini” (Believe), a feature in her album ‘Simama’.
In 2003 she won 2 Kisima awards for Best Female Artiste and Best Contemporary Gospel Artiste[4].
Mutuku actively participates in fundraising and awareness activities for HIV/AIDS prevention, AIDS orphans and patients, the Protecting Life Movement in Kenya and Bible translation and literacy.
[edit] See also
- Music of Kenya
- Gospel music
- Kismima Music Awards
