Rachel Kiwanuka, better known by her stage name Rachel K or Rachel Kay, is a Ugandan musician. Rachel K was born November 1, 1986, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The daughter of Ugandan singer Halima Namakula, Kiwanuka has recorded several successful albums, toured widely throughout the region and collaborated with Ugandan and other regional artists. She has also worked as a comedian and television presenter, making appearances on such mainstream broadcasts as Jam Agenda and

Tusker Project Fame ''Tusker Project Fame'' is an East African reality-singing competition show sponsored by Tusker (beer), Tusker Lager. The show is similar to American Idol and Project Fame South Africa, musicians compete to win cash and a one-year record deal wit ...

Television

Rachel Kay was a

TV presenter A television presenter (or television host, some become a "television personality") is a person who introduces or hosts television programs, often serving as a mediator for the program and the audience. It is common for people who garnered fam ...

on Top 8 Video Television show based in

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

, and later moved to Uganda and continued to present on the popular television show Jam Agenda on Wavah BroadCasting Company. Rachel K was part of the

season 3 judges, alongside Sanyu FM Presenter Crystal Newman, musician Mathew Nabwiso, a lead vocalist with the Misty Jazz Band and Soul Beat Africa Band. Rachel Kay hosted

MultiChoice MultiChoice is a South Africa, South African company that operates DStv, a major satellite television service in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company also operates GOtv Africa, GOtv, a minor satellite TV service operating in 9 countries, and Showmax, ...

stand up comedy Stand Up Uganda in 2009.

Music

Rachel K's mother, popular Ugandan singer Halima Namakula, signed her to her first record deal under her record label No-End Studios. There she recorded her first single "Every Time", produced by Henry Kiwuwa and Deno. In 2006 Rachel K performed with fellow musician

Iryn Namubiru Irene Gladys Namubiru, also known as Iryn Namubiru, (born 13 December 1981) is a Ugandan female vocalist. She is a light-lyric, alto voiced, Afro-pop, recording and performing artist. Background Namubiru was born in the Central Region of Ugan ...

during her Unplugged performance at Club Silk Lounge. Rachel K collaborated with Rwanda's famous R&B artist

Tom Close Thomas Muyombo (born 28 October 1984), also known as Tom Close, is a Ugandan-born, Rwandan-based musician, and physician. A ChimpReports reviewer in 2013 described him as "the king of Afrobeat and dancehall" in Rwanda. Early life and education ...

and she also had hits that had major air play on MTV Base 'Every Time' and 'I Love the way'. In 2010 Rachel K was part of the group that recorded

Pepsi Pepsi is a Carbonated water, carbonated soft drink with a cola flavor, manufactured by PepsiCo which serves as its flagship product. In 2023, Pepsi was the second most valuable soft drink brand worldwide behind Coca-Cola; the two share a long ...

's World Cup theme song "Oh Africa" featuring

Akon Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam (born April 16, 1973), known mononymously as Akon (), is a Senegalese-United States, American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist. An influ ...

Keri Hilson Keri Lynn Hilson (born December 5, 1982) is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, she began her musical career as a songwriter and backing vocalist for other artists under the wing of record producer Anthony De ...

and the

Soweto Gospel Choir The Soweto Gospel Choir is a South African gospel group. History The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in Soweto, South Africa, by David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, and producers Andrew Kay, David Vigo and Cliff Hocking in 2002. The more than 30- ...

, written by the Hip hop duo Rocky City and produced by Prettiboifresh. In the same year 2010,

launched "Oh Africa", at club F1 in

Uganda Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the ...

. In 2011 Rachel Kay gave a farewell concert when she decided to go back to college in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and continue her studies in

Fine Arts In European academic traditions, fine art (or, fine arts) is made primarily for aesthetics or creativity, creative expression, distinguishing it from popular art, decorative art or applied art, which also either serve some practical function ...

. In 2012 Rachel K reached the second round of auditions for ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...

''.

Discography

Over years, Rachel K has featured a number of Uganda Known artists like Radio & Weasel, Young Nick,

, Cindy,

Bobi Wine Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (born 12 February 1982), also popularly known by his stage name Bobi Wine, is a Ugandan activist, politician, singer, lawyer and actor. He is a former Member of Parliament for Kyadondo County East constituency in Wak ...

, Unique and Karyn. * I love the way - Ft. Young Nick * Liar - Ft. Young Nick * Maisha - Ft. Karyn & Unique * Unaniumiza - Ft. Radio & Weasel * EveryTime * Muyaye - Ft.

* Feel Me * Pinduula * Love * Is it me - Ft.

* Home

Awards

Won: * 2010 Diva Awards - Rachel K won Diva Awards International Female Artist of the year for the collaboration song with

and

"Oh Africa". * 2010 Diva Awards - Video of The year * 2007

Buzz Teeniez Awards Buzz Teeniez Awards is an annual award ceremony in Kampala, Uganda that was started in 2007 by a magazine called ''Buzz''. The Buzz Teeniez Awards are catered to teen viewers to honor the biggest achievers in television, music, gospel, Dee Jays, m ...

- Teeniez fresh/breakout Artist of the year * 2007

- Teeniez Best TV Personality Of the year * 2008

- Teeniez Best TV Personality of the year Nominated: *2011 Museke Online Africa Music Awards (MOAMA) - Voters Choice for 'Feel Me' *2012 EWorld Music Awards - Rock/Heavy Mental/Punk "Feel Me'

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rachel K 1986 births Living people 21st-century Ugandan women singers American people of Ugandan descent Musicians from Tulsa, Oklahoma American television hosts Singers from Oklahoma 21st-century American women singers 21st-century American singers American women television hosts