Nviiri the Storyteller

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Nviiri Sande (born 19 August 1991), professionally known as Nviiri the story teller is a Kenyan singer and songwriter. In 2019, he gained mainstream recognition following being signed to Sol Generation Records and the release of the song Extravaganza.

Nviiri The Storyteller
Birth nameNviiri Sande
Born1991|08|19
OriginKenya
GenresAfropop •R&B
Instrument(s)Guitar
Formerly ofSol Generation Records

Early Life

Nviiri attended Dagoretti Highschool, Nairobi. He studied mechanical engineering in college and later worked at his father's workshop.[1]

Career

Prior to being signed to Sol Generation Records, Nviiri worked as a behind the scenes videographer for Sauti Sol. The boy band did not know Nviiri could sing and only knew after Bien heard him play the guitar. Bien encouraged Nviiri to pursue music[2]. Nviiri was part of a gospel band and toured South Korea. Nviiri wrote melanin for Sauti sol featuring Patoranking[3].

Nviiri broke into the mainstream scene in 2019, following the release of the song Extravaganza, which announced new Sol Generation signees[4]. He then released Pombe sigara[5].

In 2021, he released a six-track EP, Kitenge [6]. It included the songs; Baridi featuring Sanaipei Tande, Mae Wendi, Kitenge, Niko Sawa featuring Bien, Bembeleza and Birthday Song featuring Khaligraph Jones, Sauti Sol and Bensoul[7]. Beverly Kaiga of Tangaza Magazine writes that the album "details the love story of a couple that is fated to fail, as predicted in the Tarot cards on the EP's album art"[8]. In 2021, the song Niko Sawa, was the most streamed song in Kenya on Spotify[9]. In the same year, he also released the single Nikita [10].

In 2023, he releases his album Inside Out which includes 15 tracks. The album included collaborations with artists like Bien, Bensoul, Chike and Bayanni[11]. The album has three phases Bwana Sherehe (party animal), Love & Heartbreak and Consciousness. The song Nikilewa, from the album was listed by Rolling Stone on the Top 40 Best Afropop Songs of 2023 list[12].

In 2024, he announced that he was leaving Sol Generation Records following the end of his five-year contract with the label[13].

Artistry

Nviiri is described as a blend of Afropop, soul and R & B [12].

Awards and Recognition

Awards

Awards Year Recipient (S) and nominee (S) Category Result Ref
African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) 2021 Nviiri The Storyteller Best Male Artist in Eastern Africa Nominated [14]
‘Nairobi’ by Bensoul ft. Sauti Sol, Nviiri the Storyteller Best African Video Nominated
Sauti Sol ft Bensoul, Nviiri The Storyteller, Xeniah & NHP
Best Artist, Duo or Band Nominated
Pulse Music Video Awards 2021 Nviiri The Storyteller ft Bien-Niko sawa Best Collaboration of the Year Nominated [15]
Bensoul, Sauti Sol, Nviiri & Mejja- Nairobi Best Collaboration of the Year Nominated
Pulse Music Video Awards 2022 Nviiri The Storyteller-Nikita Male Video of the Year Nominated [16]

Recognition

In 2021, Business Daily listed him in the Top 40 Under 40 list [1].

References

  1. ^ a b Odidi, Billy. "Nviiri Sande". Business Daily. Business Daily. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  2. ^ Oruta, Brian. "We didn't know he could sing – Sauti Sol's Bien and Polycarp explain how they signed Nviiri". Pulse. Pulse. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  3. ^ Watiri, Susan. "Nviiri the Storyteller: Meet the man who wrote Sauti Sol's 'Melanin'". PULSE. PULSE. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  4. ^ Ngigi, Elizabeth. "Sol Generation takes the music industry by storm". THE STAR. THE STAR. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  5. ^ Milimo, Dennis. "The 'Pombe Sigara' Tale as Told by Nviiri The Storyteller". PULSE. PULSE. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  6. ^ Nyingi, Loise Wairimu. "Kitenge: Nviiri reigns at the helm of Apple Music charts with EP". The Standard. The Standard. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  7. ^ Boombuzz Kenya. "EP Feature of the Week: Kitenge by Nviiri The Storyteller". Boomplay. Boomplay. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  8. ^ Wakiaga, Beverly. "Love Is Complicated on Nvirii the Storyteller's 'Kitenge'". TANGAZA. TANGAZA. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  9. ^ Mithika, Boniface. "Nviiri the Storyteller's 'Niko Sawa' becomes most streamed track on Spotify". The Standard. The Standard. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  10. ^ Lauryn. "Nviiri The Storyteller returns with the release of "Nikita"". NOTJUSTOK. NOTJUSTOK. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  11. ^ Choge, Peter. "Kenya: Nviiri The Storyteller releases Inside Out album". Music in Africa. Music in Africa. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  12. ^ a b ROLLING STONE. "The 40 Best Afropop Songs of 2023". Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  13. ^ Gachie, Kenneth. "Nviiri The Storyteller Announces Departure From Sol Generation". Citizen Digital. Citizen Digital. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  14. ^ Milimo, Dennis. "List of Nominees for the 2021 AFRIMMA Awards (Full List)". Pulse. Pulse. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  15. ^ Ilado, Lucy. "Pulse Music Video Awards 2021 in Kenya: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Music in Africa. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  16. ^ Choge, Peter. "2022 Pulse Music Video Awards in Kenya: All the winners". Music in Africa. Music in Africa. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
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