Koang Deng Kun Kong is a South Sudanese born-Canada based[1] musician, songwriter, dancer and artist professionally known as K-Denk. He was born in Renk.[2][3][4]
K-Denk | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Koang Deng Kun Kong |
| Born | Renk |
| Origin | South Sudan |
| Genres | Folk music, AfroPop, Hip hop, and Afro Beat |
| Occupation(s) | musician, songwriter, artist |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2020-present |
| Labels | WangBoy Records |
Music career edit
Denk began his music career in 2004 as a member of the Kakuma Presbyterian Church choir.[5][6] Denk took part in Tusker Project Fame 2010 representing South Sudan,[7] which was widely regarded as his breakout moment.[8][9] He has sung with other artists in the past.[10] In 2018, Denk went on a tour of South Sudanese refugee camps in Uganda and Kenya as part of an "outreach programme" for people affected by the South Sudanese civil war.[11] Denk's song Brighter Day was played over the radio to celebrate the 2018 ceasefire that brought an end to the civil war.[12]
Discography edit
| Song Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Ou kene Guut | 2017 |
| Guola n iwi da ping | 2017 |
| Wimuon | 2017 |
| Happy Wedding[13] | 2017 |
| Ruor Nyamar[14] | 2017 |
| Thieli paar[15] | 2017 |
| William Deng | 2017 |
| Guola Ni Wida[11] | 2017 |
| Kni ni dhiech[16] | 2017 |
| Thieli Chaot[17] | 2017 |
| Engu Geri[18] | 2017 |
| Ya Hobi[19] | 2017 |
| Bakaji Ft. Sweet Angel[20] | 2017 |
| Ou Kene Guut | 2017 |
| Enijin Kerua | 2018 |
| Beautiful Lady | 2018 |
| Ou ce jiek | 2018 |
| Rew | 2018 |
| My Babe | 2018 |
| Juzza | 2018 |
| Can't Wait To Love Another Day | 2019 |
| Ba Guor Ni Dupku | 2019 |
| Dance with You[21] | 2019 |
| Shine Up | 2020 |
| Hope There will be another day[22] | 2020 |
Studio albums edit
| Title | Year | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Deng | October 21, 2017 | WangBoy Music Record Label | Digital download |
Awards edit
Personal life edit
Denk has 4 sisters and 1 brother. His father died in 1992 as a result of the Second Sudanese Civil War.[27] In 2013, Denk received significant attention when he openly declared his allegiance to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, posting a video where he brandished an assault rifle.[28][29] Denk later rescinded his support for the group, instead going back to music and declaring his support for a peaceful resolution to the South Sudanese Civil War.[30] Denk, between 2010 and 2013 attended Admas University Ethiopia, and in 2017 graduated with a diploma in music from Day Star University Nairobi, Kenya.[31][32]
References edit
- ^ "K-Denk on why he gave up the gun for music". The Citizen. October 23, 2015.
- ^ "Top 10 Best South Sudanese Artistes In 2018". Juba Eye. May 21, 2018.
- ^ "Kenya: TPF Contestants to K Denk – Drop the Gun Stick to Music!". The Informer. February 10, 2014.
- ^ "K-Deng surrenders the gun for the mic". Daily Nation. October 15, 2015.
- ^ Ilado, Lucy (November 6, 2018). "South Sudanese Artist Goes on Refugee Tour". Media Africa.
- ^ Ayo, Millard (February 8, 2014). "Msanii wa Project fame alieingia kwenye vita ya nchi, anasema Rais akiuwawa amani ndio itakuja". Millard Ayo (in Swahili).
- ^ Nation Reporter (December 5, 2010). "Ugandan wins Sh5m Tusker Project Fame award". Daily Nation.
- ^ Abeka, Moses (December 17, 2018). "South Sudanese music finds a voice in East Africa". Music in Africa.
- ^ Muchiri, John (February 5, 2014). "Is K-Denk fighting in South Sudan?". Nairobi News.
- ^ "K-Denk teamed up with Canadian based female artist on new track 'Bakaji'". Hot in Juba. 28 February 2016.
- ^ a b Ilado, Lucy (November 9, 2018). "South Sudanese artist goes on refugee tour". The Southern Times. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ Long, Jack (May 7, 2019). "PH.D. Student Studies Music And Conflict In Ethiopia". The Lantern. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ "K-Denk ~ Happy Wedding (Official Video)". October 29, 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ "K-Denk – RUOR NYIMAR (Official Music Video)". May 17, 2017 – via YouTube.
- ^ "K-Denk – THIELI CHAAT/ PAAR ( OFFICIAL VIDEO )". November 3, 2017 – via YouTube.
- ^ "K-Denk – KE NIN DHIECH ( OFFICIAL HD VIDEO ) WANGDUNKON MUSIC". March 15, 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ "K-Denk – THIELI CHAAT/ PAAR ( OFFICIAL VIDEO )". August 2, 2017 – via YouTube.
- ^ "K-Denk – Engu Gori (Official Video)". August 2, 2017 – via YouTube.
- ^ "K-Denk – Ya Hobi (Official Video)". August 2, 201 – via YouTube.
- ^ "K-Denk ft Sweet Angel – Bakaji (Official Video)". August 2, 2017 – via YouTube.
- ^ "[PHOTOS] K-Denk shoots new music video worth 5000 USD". May 20, 2018.
- ^ "Sensational South Sudanese Rapper K-Denk Releases a New Single – Hope in Canada". South Sudan Business. April 6, 2020.
- ^ "K-Denk aacha silaha, ashika Mic | East Africa Television". EATV.
- ^ "TPF contestants to K denk: Drop the gun stick to music!". Africa News Hub. February 10, 2014 – via The Star.
- ^ "SOUTH SUDAN MUSIC AWARDS 2019 FINAL NOMINEES LIST". South Sudan Music Awards.
- ^ "Full list of the winners of 2019 South Sudan music awards". South Sudan Business. December 27, 2019.
- ^ Jumatatu (May 19, 2014). "K-Denk akiri alipotoka kuasi". East African Television (in Swahili).
- ^ Admin (February 7, 2014). "Former Tusker Project Fame contestant K-Denk Joins the Rebel Ranks in South Sudan". The Informer.
- ^ "K-Denk back in Kenya from South Sudan conflict". Nairobi News. June 28, 2015.
- ^ "Rapper K-Denk: I'm no longer a rebel". Hot in Juba. September 29, 2019 – via Talk of Juba.
- ^ Kong, Koang Den Kun. "K-DENK: Artist, Musician, and Actor in South Sudan". About Me.
- ^ Kamau, Richard (March 20, 2014). "K-Denk Finally Drops His AK-47 For The Mic". Nairobi Wire. Retrieved May 13, 2020.