Rosemary Wahu Kagwi, professionally known by her

mononym A mononym is a name composed of only one word. An individual who is known and addressed by a mononym is a mononymous person. A mononym may be the person's only name, given to them at birth. This was routine in most ancient societies, and remains ...

Wahu, is a Kenyan singer-songwriter, former fashion model, actress, and entrepreneur.

Early life and education

Wahu attended Hospital Hill Primary School and proceeded to Precious Blood High School, which is located at Riruta. While in school, she wrote her first song. She is a former model and

University of Nairobi The University of Nairobi (uonbi or UoN; ) is a college, collegiate research university based in Nairobi and is the largest List of universities and colleges in Kenya, university in Kenya. Although its history as an educational institution dat ...

student, graduating with a degree in

Bachelor of Arts A Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated B.A., BA, A.B. or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is the holder of a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the liberal arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts deg ...

in Mathematics and Communication.

Career

Wahu started her musical career in 2000. She released her first single "Niangalie" which received positive reception across Africa and internationally. Her first three singles were "Niangalie", "Esha" and "Liar". Wahu released her first major hit, "Sitishiki" around 2005. Some of her music has been produced by the

Ogopa DJs Ogopa Deejays are a Kenyan music production team and record label formed in the late 1990s who gained regional fame and popularity due to standards of their production work. Background Ogopa DJs is led by brothers Francis and Lucas Bikedo, ...

. Wahu has entertained audiences alongside many Kenyan and African Artistes like Kleptomaniacs,

Fally Ipupa Fally Ipupa N'simba (born 14 December 1977), known professionally as Fally Ipupa, is a Congolese musician and dancer. Often referred to as the "Prince of Rumba", he is known for his tenor vocals and his fusion of contemporary and traditional ...

Nonini Hubert Mbuku Nakitare (born 2 October 1982), popularly known by his stage name Nonini, is a Kenyan rapper and former radio presenter. He is often referred to as the "Godfather" due to his widespread recognition. Education Hubert Nakitare, a ...

, Nameless, Wyre, Qqu, and

P-Unit P-Unit is a Kenyan hip hop group consisting of Kenyan hip hop artists Frasha, Gabu, and Bon-eye. Biography The crew released the album ''Wagenge Hao'' in 2010, recorded at Decimal Media by lead singer/composer "Pradip The BOSS". The album had 17 ...

. She is the inaugural recipient of the MTV Africa Music Awards 2008, for the Best Female Artist category. Moreover, she has won the

Pearl of Africa Music Awards The Pearl of Africa Music Awards (also known as the PAM Awards) was an annual national music award event held in Uganda. The inaugural event was held in 2003. In 2006, categories for musicians from other East Africa East Africa, also known ...

, Chaguo La Teeniez Awards and

Kisima Music Awards The Kisima Music Awards is an annual awards program that recognises musical talent in East Africa. Despite being Kenyan-based the scheme awards artists from a variety of countries, predominantly Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and incorporates a ran ...

. In the acting industry, Wahu had a leading role in the television series ''Tazama''. In 2017 she released a new gospel song "Sifa". In 2013, she launched her salon business, Afrosiri Salon, which offers services such as spa, hair, manicure, and pedicure services.

Personal life

She is married to David Mathenge alias Nameless, another award-winning Kenyan musician. They have three daughters. She dedicated her biggest hit to date "Sweet Love" to her first born daughter, Tumiso.

Awards and nominations

Awards

* MTV Africa Music Awards 2008 – Best Female *2008

– Best Female Artist (Kenya) *2008 CHAT Awards – Favourite Female Artiste *2008 Kisima Awards – Best Song ("Sweet Love") & Best Reggae Artiste/Group * 2010 Tanzania music awards – Best Reggae Song ('Leo (Reggae remix)' with AY)

Nominations

*2006

– Best Kenyan Female Artiste * MTV Africa Music Awards 2008 – Best Newcomer *2008

MOBO Awards The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin, also known as the MOBOs) are an annual British music award presentation honouring achievements in " music of black origin", including hip hop, grime, UK Drill, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and Ba ...

– Best African Act *2008

Kora Awards The KORA All Africa Music Awards are music awards given annually for musical achievement in sub-Saharan Africa. The awards were founded in 1994 by Benin born businessman, Ernest Adjovi, after a discussion in Namibia with the country's President H ...

– Best Artiste or Group from East Africa (not yet held) *2009

Tanzania Music Awards Tanzania Music Awards are national music awards held annually in Tanzania. They are also known as the Kilimanjaro Music Awards or the Kili Music Awards after their sponsor (Kilimanjaro Premium Lager). The awards were established in 1999 by the ...

– Best East African Song ("Sweet Love") * 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards – Best Video ("Little Things You Do" with

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 ...

) *2009

Channel O Music Video Awards Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, once known as Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards, are Pan-African music awards organised by South Africa -based Channel O television channel. The awards were first held in 2003 under the name Reel Music Video A ...

– Best African East & Best Ragga Dancehall Video ("Sweet Love")Museke
2009 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards nominees
*

2011 Tanzania Music Awards Eleven or 11 may refer to: *11 (number) * One of the years 11 BC, AD 11, 1911, 2011 Literature * ''Eleven'' (novel), a 2006 novel by British author David Llewellyn *''Eleven'', a 1970 collection of short stories by Patricia Highsmith *''Eleven'' ...

– Best Song and Best Collaboration Song ('Mkono Mmoja' with Chege & Temba)allAfrica.com
'20 Percent' Grabs Seven Kili Music Awards Nominations
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References

{{MTV Africa Music Awards for Best Male and Female Artists 1980 births Living people 21st-century Kenyan women singers Kisima Music Award winners Kenyan television actresses University of Nairobi alumni 21st-century Kenyan actresses