Victoria Kimani

Victoria Kimani
Born (1985-07-28) 28 July 1985
Los Angeles, California, U.S
Citizenship Kenyan
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • entertainer
  • dancer
  • actress
Years active 2009–present
Relatives
  • Bamboo (brother)
  • Kimya Miyaki (brother)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Associated acts Sarkodie, Ice Prince, M.I

Victoria Kimani (born 28 July 1985)[1] is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, actress and entertainer. She is currently signed to Chocolate City and is described as the record label's first lady.[2][3] As a singer, she is popularly known for her numerous hits and sense of style.[4] Her penetration into the African music industry has earned her a number of nominations, with her singles receiving numerous airplay across Africa.[5] Her debut album was expected in 2016.[6][7]

Apart from singing, she appeared in the film 7 Inch Curve,[8][9] directed by Shola Thompson.[10]

Life and career

Biography and music career

Kimani was born in Los Angeles, California to clergy parents. She has two older brothers.[11] She grew up partly in Benin City, Nigeria, where her parents were doing missionary work. She began singing at the age of 9; at age 16, she began performing alongside other church choir members as a back-up and writing songs for others.[2][11]

On moving back to her mother country, Kenya, she joined a campus where she also did back-ups for Mercy Mara where she had to travel a lot. She later dropped out to fully pursue a career in music.[4]

2010-2012: Stepping into music scenery

In 2010, Kimani performed a remix of Ice Prince's hit single "OLEKU" (remixed by Nathaniel Williams Jr.), which caught the attention of Chocolate City executives. In late 2012, she was the first female artiste signed by Nigeria's music label Chocolate City,[12] She released her first single under the label, "Mtoto", the Swahili word for "child", in March 2013.[13] The video was shot in Los Angeles.[14]

2013–15: Mixtapes, Whoa, M'Toto, Show, Prokoto

Subsequently she released several mixtapes: Oya, Heaven, Hate Me, Open Up Your Heart, F.U.M.F, Do What You Want and Freaks (refix).[15][16]

In 2014, she released the single "Show", produced by singer and producer Tekno Miles.[17] Later in 2014, she released "Prokoto", a Congolese word that means "swagger."[18] She featured Tanzanian artists, Diamond Platnumz and Ommy Dimpoz.[19]

2015–16: Vex, ONE Campaign, Two of Dem, Loving You, Booty Bounce

In February 2015, Kimani joined forces with divas Cynthia Morgan and Emma Nyra and released the video "Vex".[20] On 23 July 2015, she released the video "Two of Dem".[21] In May 2015, she released her work "Loving You", in which she collaborated with Nigerian label mate, Ice Prince.[22] On 4 November 2015 she released "Booty Bounce".[23]

2016–present

On 21 January 2016, Kimani released her new single "All the Way", featuring Khuli Chana.[24][25] The song pays homage to renowned artist Angelique Kidjo in her classic "Wombo Lombo".[26] The video was shot in Johannesburg,South Africa,[27] and was produced by Reinhard.[28]

Music influences and humanitarian works

On 13 May 2015, Kimani, along with seven African female musicians, Cobhams Asuquo and a team of ONE staff met in Johannesburg to create "Strong Girl", a song that sent a message about the empowerment of women across the world.[29] The song featured singers Waje (Nigeria), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Arielle T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Selmor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Judith Sephuma (South Africa), new artist Blessing Nwafor (South Africa) and the video's star, actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Nigeria).[30]

Kimani has been outspoken on issues like male chauvinism and women empowerment in conjunction with the ONE Campaign.[31] Having collaborated with other African female singers, in the making of an inspirational song "Strong Girl". Kimani has also stated that women struggle to make ends meet due to the careers available to them. She defends models, singers, dancers, entertainers, presenters, business women, PR, managers, PAs, singers, stylists, DJs and designers.[32]

Discography

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