Jaguar (Kenyan musician)
Charles Njagua Kanyi, better known by his stage name Jaguar, is a Kenyan politician, singer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. From humble beginnings, Jaguar was born in a family of three siblings. He grew up in the suburbs of Nairobi where he attended school. At the age of eleven Jaguar lost his mother, who by then was his only guardian. He was forced to enroll in informal employment working several odd jobs to earn a living.
Honorable Jaguar | |
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Birth name | Charles Njagua Kanyi |
Also known as | Jaguar, Mheshimiwa |
Origin | Nairobi, Kenya |
Genres | Kapuka |
Occupation(s) | Politician, singer, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
Labels | Main Switch Studio |
Associated acts | Ay, Iyanya, Mafikizolo, Elani |
Website | http://realjaguarkenya.com |
Through struggles working as a tout in Nairobi's Public Service Vehicles, and support from friends managed to complete school
Jaguar first made forays as a recording artist in 2004 where he recorded and released his first Single "Utaweza Kweli" under the Mandugu Digitali record label. He later joined East Africa's music power house, Ogopa Deejays[1] in 2005 where he recorded and released several singles among them his most popular hit single "kigeugeu." In 2013 Jaguar began recording with Main Switch Studios[2] Founded by Jaguar's one of the long serving record producers, Philip Makanda[3] formerly from Ogopa Deejays.[1]
This transition didn't come short of any releases and he has been a part of the stable to date. He has since recorded several hit Singles including Kipepeo, Kioo and One centimeter, An African collaboration featuring popular Nigerian recording artist, Iyanya. He has also featured popular South African duo, Mafikizolo in his single titled "Going Nowhere"
Jaguar has over the years established his own enterprises that have now become very lucrative Businesses. Besides his music business, Jaguar owns a fleet of personal luxury cars and is known to have investments in Real Estate as well as the Transport and Aviation Industry.
On 9 August 2017 Jaguar was elected to serve the Constituency of Starehe in Nairobi on a Jubilee Party ticket after defeating Steve Mbogo, Boniface Mwangi and Mwaniki Kwenya. Jaguar previously defeated Incumbent MP of Hon. Starehe Maina Kamanda in a hotly contested nomination race for the Jubilee Party ticket in April 2017.
Awards
2011 - East Africa Music Awards - Best Male East Africa
2011 - Nzumari Awards – Best Male Kenya
2012 - Kisima Awards - Best Song Kenya
2012 - Pearl Music Awards (Uganda) – Best male Artist
2012 - Kilimanjaro Music Awards (Tanzania) - Best Song East Africa – Kigeugeu
2012 - Nzumari Awards – Best Male Artiste East Africa
2012 - Channel O Music Video Awards Nomination (Africa) Best Song East Africa
2013 - MCSK Awards highest Earner in Royalties and most played artiste. 5 Awards from Various Kenyan Radio Stations
2014 - Kilimanajro Music Awards East Africa – Best Song - kipepeo
Appointed[4] by Kenya's 4th President HE. Uhuru Kenyatta as a Director of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA[5])
References
- ": OGOPA DEEJAYS". ogopadeejays.co.ke. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- "Mainswitch Studios". mainswitchstudios.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- "These are the top 7 music producers in Kenya - Kiss FM". Kiss FM. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- Okoth, Brian. "President Uhuru Kenyatta appoints singer Jaguar as NACADA board member - Entertainment News". Standard Digital News. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- "The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse - HOME". www.nacada.go.ke. Retrieved 30 March 2016.