Wikipedia

Bahati (singer)

Kevin Mbuvi Kioko, known by the stage name Bahati, is a Kenyan singer and songwriter. His latest album, Love Like This, was released in 2021. In the 2022 General Elections, he unsuccessfully vied for the Mathare constituency parliamentary seat. He is also known by his 'Mtoto wa Mama' nickname.

Early life and education edit

Kioko was born in 1994. He lost his mother when he was just 7 years old and was raised at ABC Children's Home in the Mathare slums in Nairobi.[1][2] For his primary school education, he attended Mercury Academy. For his secondary school education, he attended Nakeel Boys' High School in Rongai, Kajiado County and St Theresa's Boys' High School in Eastleigh, Nairobi County. He sat his KCSE in the latter in 2011 and got a C+ grade.[3]

Music career edit

Bahati's singing traces its roots from his high school days at St Theresa's Boys when he represented the school in the national music festivals. Siku ya Kwanza, his first song, was recorded in 2012 and eventually became part of his first album, Barua za Bahati.[4] The album also comprised his breakout hit, Mama.[5]

While he rose to fame singing gospel songs, Bahati has since switched to contemporary secular music.[6][7][8]

In 2015, Bahati opened his own recording studio called EMB Records, EMB being short for 'Eastlands Most Beloved'.[9] He closed it down in 2020 citing frustrations and a lack of support from fellow artists.[10][11]

In 2021, Bahati released his latest album, Love Like This.[12] It features the popular song Pete Yangu featuring Nadia Mukami.

Politics edit

In 2022, Bahati announced that he would be venturing into politics, contesting for the Mathare constituency parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket.[13] Owing to the party belonging to the Azimio coalition and the need to front only one candidate per coalition with the coalition's constituent parties agreeing not to field candidates in each other's stronghold areas, Bahati was initially denied the ticket before the zoning procedure was dropped.[14][15] He came third in the elections held on 9th August garnering 8,166 votes.[16][17]

After failing to clinch the Mathare MP seat, Bahati has hinted at running for a gubernatorial position in the next elections.[18]

Personal life edit

Bahati is married to Diana Marua[19][20] and, together, they have three children.[21][22] They are also foster parents to a boy they adopted from the children's home Bahati grew up in.[23][24] Bahati is also a father to another child from a past relationship with ex-girlfriend Yvette Obura.[25][26]

Awards edit

  • 2013 Groove Awards – Best Upcoming Artist[27]
  • 2013 Mwafaka Awards – Collabo of the Year (for the song Wangu featuring Mr Seed)[28]
  • 2014 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMMA) – Best Gospel Artist[29]
  • 2014 Mdundo Awards – Best Gospel Song (for the song Machozi)[30]
  • 2015 Groove Awards – Male Artist of the Year[31][32]
  • 2015 Groove Awards – Song of the Year, Video of the Year, Most Downloaded Skiza Tune of the Year (for the song Barua)[33]

References edit

  1. ^ "Bahati blesses Mathare in the biggest gospel concert yet". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Celebs who used to be street kids". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Kevin Bahati: from orphan to Groove Award winner". Nation. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  4. ^ ""Barua za Bahati" goes live". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Kevin Bahati: from orphan to Groove Award winner". Nation. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Bahati officially leaves gospel, launches 'contemporary' album". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Singer Bahati reveals why he no longer identifies as a gospel musician". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  8. ^ "'People behave like holier-than-thou' - Bahati reveals why he quit gospel music : K24 TV". www.k24tv.co.ke. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Bahati launches Eastlands Most Beloved recording studio". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  10. ^ "'We need to wake up!' Bahati makes shocking decision to shut down EMB Records - The Sauce". www.capitalfm.co.ke. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  11. ^ Ngigi, Elizabeth (19 April 2020). "Gospel artistes are jealous of my success, says Bahati". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Bahati admits to clout-chasing as he releases the 'love Like This' album featuring Nadia Mukami, Rayvanny + more - The Sauce". www.capitalfm.co.ke. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  13. ^ AYEGA, DAVIS (18 March 2022). "Bahati 'Mtoto wa Mama' joins politics, to vie for Mathare MP's seat » Capital News". Capital News. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  14. ^ NAKOLA, SHARON RESIAN (10 July 2022). "Bahati to vie for Mathare MP seat after IEBC lists name » Capital News". Capital News. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Bahati gazetted to run for Mathare MP seat". Citizen Digital. 10 July 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  16. ^ Amadala, Victor (12 August 2022). "Bahati floored in hotly contested Mathare MP race". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  17. ^ "No luck for Bahati as he finishes third in Mathare MP race". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  18. ^ Petra, Hannie (20 October 2023). "Bahati declares major political ambition after failed MP bid". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Bahati, marriage and fatherhood". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Bahati on stormy first year of marriage: 'Diana walked out three times'". Citizen Digital. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Diana Marua and Bahati announce arrival of their third child". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  22. ^ "Diana Marua 'excited' to celebrate birthday in hospital". Nairobi News. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Bahati, Diana Marua announce they're expecting third child". Citizen Digital. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Bahati reveals why he stopped dating after adopting son - K24 TV : K24 TV". www.k24tv.co.ke. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  25. ^ Ngigi, Elizabeth (15 March 2023). "Why Yvette Obura will forever be in Bahati's life". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Bahati addresses Diana, Yvette Obura feud, Mueni whereabouts". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Full List Of The Groove Award 2013 Winners". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  28. ^ Kerongo, Grace (7 September 2013). "Gloria Muliro, Ringtone Win Mwafaka Prizes". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  29. ^ "AFRIMMA Nominees 2014". AFRIMMA. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  30. ^ Gitau, Elly (6 May 2014). "Rabbit Wins Big at Mdundo Awards". The Star. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Bahati Wins Big at the 2015 Groove Awards". Citizen Digital. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Bahati the Ultimate Winner At Groove Awards". The Star. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Bahati Wins Big at the 2015 Groove Awards". Citizen Digital. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
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