Nonini (born October 1, 1982), whose real name is Hubert Nakitare, is a Kenyan hip hop artist originally signed to Calif Records, but later joined Homeboyz Productions. The young Nonini caught the ‘freestyling’ bug in 1999 like many other of his peers when Urban Kenyan Music was kicking in. A friend and fellow MC (T.I.T.O.) introduced him to Clement Rapudo and Paul Nunda, better known as Clemo (the producer) and Juacali (the artiste) and together they began the ‘Genge (Mass Music) Revolution’. He was introduced to the Kenyan urban music scene through his debut single "Nonini ni Nani?" His steady rise to national and regional popularity did not begin however until his 2002 track "Manzi wa Nairobi," a song which praised the beauty of Kenyan women and follow-up single "Weh Kamu". He went on to release his debut album Hanyaring Game in late 2004 which included the hit "Keroro" a sheng term for beer.
Like many other MC’s in the industry, Nonini represents Genge! Genge is a Swahili word meaning ‘masses’ thus his music is basically ‘Music for the Masses’. His music uses a raw format of slanguistic Swahili known as sheng which is quite understood in the Kenyan streets. Nonini is instrumental in the articulation of a subculture that is not openly spoken about in the past.
Later, Nani Mwenza, his collaboration track with Tanzanian musician Juma Nature, became a regional hit. In his most recent great creations, he has collaborated with local artist Nameless to create a Friday anthem appropriately title "Furahiday" which has received much airplay. Both songs were on his second album Mwisho Ya Mawazo, released in 2007. The album featured number of more guest musicians, including Nyota Ndogo, Mercy Myra, Professor Jay and Q-Chief. In August 2007, Nonini was among 100 most influential Kenyans as selected by The Standard newspaper. Nonini won the best music video category at the Chaguo La Teeniez Awards in 2008 for his video "Mtoto Mzuri"
Nonini is a half Luhya and half Kamba. Entrepreneurship has always been in Nonini’s blood. He owns a clothing line called Nonini Wear and a Video Production Agency called Pro Habo. Nonini is currently a free lance artiste, recording music in the different production houses and recording studios as he feels fit for any particular song he does. He once endorsed a Motorola V550 phone during a Safaricom promotion through their (Safaricom) dealer Com21 Ltd. Nonini was once a celebrity breakfast presenter on the youth-oriented FM station Y FM, now Hot 96.
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