Baraka Andrew Ongeri (born September 14, 1997), known professionally by the stage name Binki (stylized as binki), is an American singer and songwriter.

Early life

Ongeri was born to Kenyan parents. From

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

, Ongeri grew up in

Hershey Hershey may refer to: People * Hershey (name), a list of people with the surname, given name or nickname Places * Hershey, Nebraska, a village * Hershey, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community, home to the chocolate company * Hershey, Cuba ...

and

North Carolina North Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia (U.S. stat ...

. He studied to be an actor at UNC Greensboro. While in college, he began making music. Always identifying himself as actor, he thought of music as a secondary passion even after first venturing into it.

Career

After college, Ongeri moved to

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

and was based in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

. In 2018, Ongeri released his debut single "Marco". A year later, he released "Wiggle". In August 2019, he was featured in ''

Pigeons & Planes Complex Networks is an American media and entertainment company for youth culture, based in New York City. It was founded as a bi-monthly magazine, ''Complex'', by fashion designer Marc Eckō. Complex Networks reports on popular and emerging tr ...

'' as one of their "best new artists" of that month. He then released "Sea Sick" in September. In October, he released "Heybb!" under

Fader Label FADER Label is an American independent record label founded in 2002 by Rob Stone and Jon Cohen. They are currently based in New York City. History FADER Label was founded in 2002 by Rob Stone and Jon Cohen. In January 2016 the label esta ...

, as well as its accompanying music video. The song would later be used in an

Apple Inc. Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, in Silicon Valley. It is best known for its consumer electronics, software, and services. Founded in 1976 as Apple Comput ...

advertisement for the iPad Air 4. "Heybb!" and "Sea Sick" also achieved virality on

TikTok TikTok, known in mainland China and Hong Kong as Douyin (), is a social media and Short-form content, short-form online video platform owned by Chinese Internet company ByteDance. It hosts user-submitted videos, which may range in duration f ...

. At the time, Ongeri was still training to be an actor. In May 2021, he released the single "Clay Pigeon", and in July released "Revolve". The two singles appeared on his debut EP ''

Motor Function Motor control is the regulation of movements in organisms that possess a nervous system. Motor control includes conscious voluntary movements, subconscious muscle memory and involuntary reflexes, as well as instinctual taxes. To control move ...

'', which was released in August. The EP received positive reviews from music critics. A third song, "Landline", was featured on the soundtrack of FIFA 22. Ongeri released "Hotel Window" in March 2023, followed by "Rocket Ship" in April, and "Doomsday" in May. All three singles were featured on his second EP ''Antennae''.

Influences

Ongeri has noted

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Tyler, The Creator Tyler Gregory Okonma (born March 6, 1991), known professionally as Tyler, the Creator, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has been cited as an influential figure in alternative hip-hop during the 2010s. Tyler beca ...

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, and

Jamie Foxx Eric Marlon Bishop (born December 13, 1967), known professionally as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, comedian, and singer. Known for his work in both the screen and music industries, his accolades include an Academy Award, a Grammy Award ...

as his "idols". A documentary on

Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time. Inducted ...

inspired him to take guitar lessons.

Discography

* ''

'' (2021) * ''Antennae'' (2023)

References

{{Reflist 1997 births American male pop singers People from Hershey, Pennsylvania Pop artists Rappers from North Carolina Rappers from Pennsylvania Singer-songwriters from North Carolina Singer-songwriters from Pennsylvania University of North Carolina at Greensboro alumni Living people