Daniel Kamau

Daniel Kamau Mwai "DK" (born February 1949 in Gatanga, Muranga District) is a musician from Kenya. He is of Kikuyu ethnic group and performs Benga music.

For the Kenyan writer, see Daniel Kamau (writer).
Daniel Kamau
Birth nameDaniel Kamau Mwai
BornFebruary 1949 (age 71–72)
Gatanga, Kenya
GenresBenga
Occupation(s)Musician

Kamau comes from the village of Mabanda in Gatanga. Failing to pay the tuition, 1967 he dropped out of the Karatina High School in 1967. He decided to pursue a career in music, and released his first record in 1968.[1]

He made a breakthrough in 1970 when he released the “Murata/I Love You”, which became a national hit.[2] Around the same time he established a music studio of his own, the DK Nguvu Sounds. It would later attract musicians like Kakai Kilonzo.[1]

In 1977 his songs "Nana" and "Mwithua" were banned by the then state radio monopoly Kenya Broadcasting Corporation due to alleged obscenity.[3] In 1990 he formed a new band, the Lulus Band.[4]

He was the civic councillor of the Gatanga ward from 1979 to 1992.[1]

As of 2009 he is still performing, and has written over 1000 songs during his career. He is also releasing music videos of his past hits.[1]

References
  1. "DK: A thousand songs down and still going". The Standard. August 16, 2009.
  2. Worlds of the Indian Ocean connecting the past to the future February 19–23, 2009· Nairobi, Kenya: Film: Retracing the Benga Rhythm & Live Concert: D.K.Mwai and Queen Babito Archived 2009-11-06 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Michael Drewett & Martin Cloonan: Popular music censorship in Africa. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2006. ISBN 0-7546-5291-2
  4. Richard Trillo: Rough guide to Kenya 7th edition, Rough Guides, 2002. 1858288592 ISBN


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