Elsy Wameyo

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Elsy Wameyo
Born
Elsy Martina Wameyo

c.1999
Nairobi, Kenya
NationalityKenyan
Occupation
Years active2018–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
Labels

Elsy Wameyo (born c. 1999) is a Kenyan-born Australian singer-songwriter, mostly singing in the hip hop genre. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Wameyo was awarded Young Kenyan of the Year in 2018, and won people's choice Best Hip Hop at the annual South Australian Music Awards in the same year.[1]

History[]

Wameyo was born in Kenya and migrated to Australia with her family in 2006, when she was seven years old.[2]

She has performed at Laneway and Groovin' the Moo festivals, and was a featured artist with Triple J Unearthed. She is signed with the independent record label created by her mentor, Gabriel Akon, aka DyspOra, Playback 808.[2] After being nominated in the Best New Artist and Best World Music categories at the 2018 South Australian Music Awards,[3] Waneyo won people's choice Best Hip Hop.[1] Lady Leshurr, Masego and the Hilltop Hoods have shown interest in her music,[3] and she has also played alongside Adrian Eagle and Printz Board.[1]

Her work is informed by her strong belief in God, and she sees her talent as a gift from God. Although she does not feel her African roots to be a huge influence on her music, the response to her music in Kenya was enthusiastic when Akon took samples to the country.[2]

Her first single, "Intuition" was released in early 2018. This was followed by "Outcast" in November 2019 and "Pastor" in February 2020,.[1] "Outcast" tells a personal story, largely based on the experience of growing up as an African in Australia, and the effect that racism has had on her and her peers.[4] Both singles received positive reviews.[5] It also explores the concept of "home" for African Australians.[6]

She spent some time travelling over the northern winter in 2019–2020, in Europe, the US and Kenya, during which she had a break from songwriting. Her 2020 single, "Pastor" uses an upbeat rhythm to explore feelings of anger, as she explores identity and belonging from the point of view of her parents, migrating to Australia.[7]

She was studying full-time at university as of 2019, and also singing in her church.[2]

Discography[]

Singles[]

As lead artist[]

Year Title Album
"Intuition"[8] 2018 TBA
"Daily"[9]
"Outcast"[10] 2019
"Pastor"[11] 2020
"Never There"[12]
"Time Flies"[13] 2021

As featured artist[]

Year Title Album
2018 "Seven" (Holas May featuring Elsy Wameyo)[14]
"Open Wide" (DyspOra featuring Elsy Wameyo)[15] AustrAlien
2020 "Long Road" (Stefan Rossifeaturing Elsy Wameyo)[16]

Awards[]

South Australian Music Awards[]

The South Australian Music Awards (previously known as the Fowler's Live Music Awards) are annual awards that exist to recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the South Australian contemporary music industry. They commenced in 2012.[17]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
2019 Elsy Wameyo People's Choice Hip Hop Award Won
2020 Elsy Wameyo Carclew Creative Achievement Award Won

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "Elsy Wameyo". triple j Unearthed. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Smith, Matthew (9 June 2019). "A gift from God Kenyan-born Elsy Wameyo set to produce her debut EP". ABC News. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Elsy Wameyo – Outcast". Amrap's AirIt. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Premiere: Adelaide's Elsy Wameyo shares the vulnerable 'Outcast'". Tone Deaf. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Elsy Wameyo: Hip Hop – Adelaide, SA [Reviews]". triple j Unearthed. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  6. ^ Von Einem, Johnny (7 November 2019). "Elsy Wameyo releases the first single from her upcoming EP, 'Outcast'". CityMag. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  7. ^ Von Einem, Johnny (22 April 2020). "Elsy Wameyo's 'Pastor' is a hymn against cultural erasure". CityMag. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Intuition (DD)". Apple Music. February 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Daily(DD)". Apple Music. September 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Outcast (DD)". Apple Music. November 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Pastor (DD)". Apple Music. February 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Never There (DD)". Apple Music. December 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Time Flies (DD)". Apple Music. January 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Seven (DD)". Apple Music. February 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  15. ^ "Open Wide (DD)". Apple Music. September 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  16. ^ "Long Road (DD)". Apple Music. September 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  17. ^ Von Einem, Johnny (25 November 2019). "Who won what at the 2019 SAM Awards?". Citymag. Pictures: Dave Court. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
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