Early life and education
Muthoni Ndonga was born and raised inArtistry
Muthoni Ndonga, also known as Muthoni Drummer Queen (MDQ), is a dynamic Kenyan artist whose music blends Afrobeat, hip-hop, and electronic styles with profound storytelling. Her artistry is marked by her commitment to creating socially and politically conscious music, often reflecting on contemporary issues and championing feminism. MDQ's albums, including MDQ (2014) and She (2018), showcase her versatility as a rapper, singer, and drummer. She collaborated with Swiss producers Jean "Hook" Geissbuhler and Greg "GR!" Escoffey, pushing boundaries with a sound that balances African roots with modern electronic influences. Her album She is particularly celebrated for its narratives about women navigating various life challenges, such as love, entrepreneurship, and family dynamics. Her music frequently addresses themes of empowerment and justice. For instance, her song "Kenyan Message" critiques socio-political issues, drawing inspiration from events like the 2017 doctors' strike in Kenya while paying homage to Grandmaster Flash’s "The Message." This blend of cultural pride and activism underscores her artistic vision of amplifying African voices globally. Muthoni's creative process also includes her distinct performance style, which integrates traditional African drumming, further asserting her cultural identity in diverse spaces. She sees her music as an avenue for presenting a multifaceted image of Kenya and Africa to the world. Muthoni Ndonga, celebrated as Muthoni Drummer Queen (MDQ), has garnered critical acclaim for her boundary-pushing artistry. Her album She (2018) was praised for its compelling narratives on African feminism and modern womanhood, showcasing her ability to combine storytelling with innovative musical styles. MDQ's collaborations with Swiss producers Jean "Hook" Geissbuhler and Greg "GR!" Escoffey elevated her sound, earning her recognition in international music circles. She has also been acknowledged for her socially conscious tracks like "Kenyan Message," which critiques systemic issues while honoring classic rap traditions.Career
Muthoni Ndonga is a musical artist, but along with her successes in music, she found time to create an international music festival in 2008 called Blankets and Wine. Blankets and Wine is a music festival whose main agenda is highlighting less popular, and non-mainstream musicians in Africa. It started off being held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, but then became expanded by reoccurring in places such as Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. A sister festival was also created in 2017 called Africa Nouveau. Africa Nouveau is a 3-day festival similar to the Blankets and Wine but it focuses on Pan-Africanism through its creators and not just underground talent in Africa. Blankets and Wine provides vendors who sell different products such as clothing, food, and more. The areas for these fairs within the festival are called Blanket Soko and Onja Onja. Blanket Soko promotes fashion, photography, art, jewelry, tattoos, and more. Onja Onja is where versatile food vendors come and sell their food, whether it's vegan, vegetarian, or based on any other dietary preferences or needs. In 2021, Muthoni joined Spotify Equal Music Programme.Awards
Muthoni Ndonga, has won many awards throughout her musical career. The first award that Ndonga won was the "Urban Demo-tape Clinic" (2014). Followed by the "Most Stylish Female Artiste of the Year" at the Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards (2019). She also won the Swiss Live Talent Urban in the same year. In the year of 2020, Ndonga won the "Best Act, Romandie" award as well. Ndonga was also nominated for the "Best New Artist" at the East African MTV music awards.References
{{Authority control Musicians from Nairobi 21st-century Kenyan women singers Kenyan women rappers Living people Year of birth missing (living people)