Queen Jane (musician)

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Queen Jane
Birth nameJane Nyambura
Born1964/1965
DiedJune 29, 2010
Nairobi
Genresbenga music

Jane Nyambura (1964/1965 – June 29, 2010), better known by her stage name Queen Jane was a Kenyan benga musician performing in Kikuyu language.

Queen Jane was born in Kangema, Murang'a County. She started her musical career in 1984 as a back up vocalist for under the band leader (Simon Kihara). She formed her own band Queenja Les Les and released her debut album Ndorogonye in 1991, produced by Lemanco Productions [1]

Her career reached prominence a year later upon the release of her hit song Mwendwa KK.[2][3] Her other hits include Ndutige Kwiyaba, Muici Wa Itura, Muthuri Teenager and Arume Ni Nyamu.[4] Many of her songs handled social issues.[5]

Her last album Gikuyu Giitu (Our Gikuyu (Language/tribe)) was released in early 2010.[1] Maina David Mithu of Leemax Studio has been one of her producers.[6]

She won awards from the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) and Music Composers Association.[2] Her song Nduraga Ngwetereire (I've been Waiting for You) was released on The Rough Guide to the Music of Kenya compilation CD.[2]

Queen Jane died of meningitis[1] on June 29, 2010, at St Mary's Hospital in Nairobi after a spell of illness.[4] Her funeral was postponed as her relatives disputed over the place of her burial.[7]

She was survived by husband Kariuki Mburu.[8] Her siblings Ejidiah Wanja (aka Lady Wanja) and Agnes Wangui (Princess Aggie) are also musicians.[3] Kenyan politician John Michuki, who deceased in 2012 was her uncle.[1]

Discography[]

  • Mwendwa KK
  • Ndutige Kwiyamba
  • Guka Nindarega
  • Maheni ti Thiiri
  • Mwana wa Ndigwa Muici wa Itura
  • Muthuri Teenager
  • Arume Ni Nyamu
  • Arume ni Njegeni
  • Nduraga Ngwetereire

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d The Standard, July 1, 2010: Chief’s daughter who grew to become Queen
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c The Rough Guide to the Music of Kenya - CD notes
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Daily Nation, June 30, 2010: Popular singer Queen Jane dies
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Capital FM, June 30, 2010: Kenyan musician Queen Jane is dead Archived July 2, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Kimani Njogu & Hervé Maupeu: Songs and Politics in Eastern Africa. African Books Collective, 2007. ISBN 9987-449-42-5
  6. ^ The Standard, June 19, 2010: Producer Maina has made many Luo artistes stars Archived March 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Daily Nation, July 7, 2010: Queen Jane burial stopped over row
  8. ^ Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, June 30, 2010: Popular Kenyan musician Queen Jane dies[permanent dead link]
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