She's a young lady with a big voice, quick to admit that she really is very privileged to be involved in the music industry. Even though she is a gospel singer, Kiki Mutungi confesses that she's been influenced by the soul sounds of Kool & the Gang, The Commodores, Sister Sledge, Nina Simone and Ray Charles.
Born in 1985 as the last born of three kids, Kiki was fortunate in that both her parents were Godly, and had a love for music. Soul, jazz, rumba and classical music were all a part of her growing up, with family functions full of music and singing.
Her love of music begun while still in lower primary, and as hard as it is to believe, she says she had a horrible voice then.
She got involved in everything musical, both in Kianda and Mary Leakey schools, even being featured in school Christmas specials aired on KBC television.
Interestingly enough, she had a morbid fear of the stage and of performance, exhibited in the time she made it to the national schools music festivals. She was schedules to perform a solo song, but panic got the best of her. With a trademark hearty laugh she shares that she got so nervous, she was afraid she'd forget the song's lyrics. As a result, she wrote them on her palms; palms that got so sweaty that the writing washed away.
Nonetheless she has managed to entrench herself in the industry, and has had the opportunity to work with some of the country's top artists and producers. The door of opportunity swung wide open for her when she was introduced to the Kubamba Krew (K-Krew). Ever since completing high school she wanted to get involved in missions, and they gave her an excellent platform for that.
Through them she heard that there was some young upcoming artist who was looking for someone to help with back-up vocals. She really wasn't interested, until this young man approached her himself, It took quite a bit of convincing, and she half-heartedly agreed. Learning the lyrics in a van on the way to the performance at Moi Forces Academy , she was as nervous as ever. Even thought she thought it went horribly, everyone else loved her performance.
Later on, this young man, who happened to be KORA award winner DNG, was scheduled to do the recording and video for the song 'Samehewa'. His back-up vocalist was unavailable, and again Kiki was called upon to assist, a job she did with aplomb.
Later on, her church was looking forward to doing a full length album, and they approached her to contribute one track. It took her a while to finally get to the recording, as she wasn't very certain about the whole thing, and she didn't even have a song ready for recording. All she had was one line of a tune she developed while at high school. It went, 'when the road gets a little rough, tough and hard'. At this point she admits that her life was not in a very good place, and that she felt that many things were conspiring against her. Still, she felt strongly that she was to write a song that reflected her walk, and this line was to be the hook.
Before she got down to it, she battled thoughts of insecurity. Her size had often made her a target of bullies in the past, and being the last born didn't help her confidence. But she drew her strength and comfort from Bible characters who overcame their fears and insecurities to achieve great things. Gideon is her favorite; the least in his family and from the weakest clan, and yet he brought freedom to his people the Israelites.
She proceeded to get help from her elder brother to write the song, and met up with producer Ennovator at Samawati Studios. It didn't help when he asked her if this song was her only option. Like the title of the song 'Usife Moyo', she kept at it and recorded. When she took it back to her church, they were genuinely taken aback by its sheer quality. The song was very well received by the masses, and went on to become a staple of many local play lists.
Since then Kiki has gone on to record another brilliant single 'Niongoze', with producer Gideon Kimanzi. She's also had opportunity to work on tracks with gospel artists Jal, Lam, Bush (from Uganda), Webi, and others. Her work with DNG went on to win the artist a KORA award, and she is now featured on four tracks on his album 'My Testimony'. Apart from producers Ennovator and Gideon Kimanzi, she's been privileged to work with Kijiji Records, Soulchild Productions and Robert Kamanzi.
This Mass Communication student from the University of Nazarene obviously esteems humility. She is quick to state that keeping a level head at all times, and not considering oneself more importantly that one ought, should be the hallmark of a gospel artist. The unassuming nature of artists like Jemimah Thiong'o, Votaries as well as producer Gittx challenges her. Candidly, she states she would rather lose her gifting than lose her head pursuing fame.
She is currently affiliated with DJ Moz, his K-Krew, as well as their ministry colleagues '96 Jogg C, DNG and Gospel Fathers. Her desires are for ministry as well as social action. She looks forward to getting involved in relief work with underprivileged communities. She is also learning guitar in her attempt to establish herself not just as an artist or performer, but as a musician.
With a truly stunning voice, and one of the most jovial and effervescent personalities in the industry, the sky really is the limit for this budding artist.
Source: http://www.kenyanlyrics.com/biographies/kikis-biography
