Sanaipei Tande

Natasha Sanaipei Tande (born 22 March 1985),[1] professionally known as Sana, is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, actress, karaoke host, radio personality and entertainer. Born and raised in Mombasa and later on in Ngong, she gained media attention after winning the 2004 East Africa Coca-Cola Popstars Talent Search together with two other bandmates. Thereafter she had a short stint at Capital FM. In 2007 she joined Kiss 100 and thereafter Easy FM in 2013 (now known as Nation FM), where her daily mid-morning show garnered the station's highest listenership.

Sana
Birth name	Natasha Sanaipei Tande
Also known as	Sana
Born	22 March 1985 Mombasa, Kenya
Origin	Nairobi, Kenya
Genres	R&B African pop pop reggae
Occupation(s)	Singer Songwriter Radio personality Karaoke host Actress
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2004–present
Associated acts	Jua Cali SEMA
Website	www.sanaipeitande.com

Early life

Born and raised in Mombasa, Sana attended Loreto Convent Mombasa, Mama Ngina High school and Aga Khan High School. When she was 16, her family relocated to Matasia near Nairobi where she transferred to St Lucy Kiriri Girls, Nairobi and cleared her high school. Despite being admitted to study Pharmacy at the Kenya Medical Training College, she decided to defer,[2][3] to temporarily pursue a career in music.

Career

Career beginnings: Sema band

In 2004, at 19 years of age, she joined the reality competition East Africa Coca-Cola Popstars Talent Search after coaxing from her family.[4] She and her two 'Sema' bandmates Kevin 'Kev' Waweru and Pam Waithaka emerged victorious. The trio released their debut single Leta Wimbo, and a seventeen-track album, thrusting them into the limelight. Unfortunately, in 2005, the group split, after which Sana embarked on a solo career.

Going solo, collaborations and radio

After the disintegration, Tande collaborated with Jua Cali , Big Pin, Madtraxx, K-Denk, Dan Aceda and Kidum, releasing a number of singles like "Najuta", "Niwe wako", "Kwaheri", "Big Shot Remix", "I am here", "Mulika Mwizi" and "Mtoto wa Geti Kali".[5] In 2006, Tande joined Kiss 100 after working with Eve D'Souza on Hits not Homework on Capital FM. She also began hosting karaoke at various bars and clubs across Nairobi. She later joined Nation FM in 2013, co-presenting with Edward Kwach on the drive show. In the same year, she injected new energy into her music career, releasing "I wish", closely followed by "Mfalme wa Mapenzi". She then joined comedian Obinna Ike Igwe on the mid-morning show and later presented solo on the same show.

In June 2014, Sana released the video for her single, Mfalme wa Mapenzi, sparking controversy due to what some describe as its "raunchy" nature. She released Ankula Huu, the video, in March 2015 and it was well received.[6][7]

In September 2015, she was allegedly declared redundant in spite of the fact that her mid-morning show consistently garnered the station's highest listenership. Her termination and that of colleagues Anto Neo Soul and Ciru Muriuki was met with much uproar on Twitter, with many listeners and fans demanding their reinstatement.[8][9] She is also into acting and taking a leading role in the local Swahili drama Aziza. She currently stars in a local drama on Maisha Magic Plus, Kina.

Discography

Year	Single(s)	Producer/Director	Album	Ref(s)
	"Kwaheri" (with Jua Cali)
	"Najuta (with Jua Cali)	Icon Pro		[10]
	"Mulika Mwizi" (Kidum feat. Sana)	Mara Moja Films		[11]
	"Not the One" (Chizi feat. Sana)	Charles Ouda
	"Geti Kali" (Sana feat. Jua Kali)	Ogopa
	"You" (Bigpin feat. Sana)	Icon Pro
2014	"Mfalme wa Mapenzi"	Mhando Brian		[12]
2015	"Ankula Huu"	Sinema Films		[13]
2015	"Rasta Man"	Sinema Films		[14][15]
????	"Your Property"

References

1. Magazinos (10 August 2010). "Sanaipei Tande – Single and not ready to mingle – Passion August 2010". Kenyan Magazine. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
2. Kimani, Sheila (17 June 2015), "SANAIPEI TANDE - SENSATIONALLY SULTRY AND SEXY", Standard Media, retrieved 5 February 2016
3. "RATCHET PHOTOS OF SANAIPEI TANDE YOU WONT BELIEVE – FEAST YOUR EYES". Wakenya. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
4. Cynthia Misiki. "5 best hit songs from sassy Sanaipei Tande". Kiss 100. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
5. "Of Music Talent Searches and Winners Who Fail To Live Up To Expectation". Art Matters. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
6. "SANAIPEI TANDE SACKED, NMG, NATION FM". Wakenya. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
7. "Radio hosts Sanaipei Tande, Anto Neosoul and Ciru Muriuki dismissed from Nation FM". Standard Media. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
8. "Ciru Muriuki , Sanaipei Tande and Antoneosoul sacked by Nation FM". Hekaheka. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
9. "Transfer Deadline Day? Ciru Muriuki, Sanaipei Tande, Antoneosoul Sacked by Nation FM". Nairobi Wire. Retrieved 9 March 2016.. October 2015 saw the release of the video to her little known single, Rasta Man. The video infused the song with new life and propelled it to heights which Sana admitted she hadn't foreseen when she recorded the song. It has received airplay on TRACE and numerous local and regional radio and TV stations. She has since made a karaoke comeback at G-Skyye Rooftop on Wednesday nights and Budhaa Bar, Westlands on Thursday nights. She has also redirected her efforts and attention toward her music career and promises big things ahead
10. "Sanaipei Tande - Najuta | MP3 Download | Bongo Exclusive". Bongo Exclusive. 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
11. "Music in Kenya: Mulika Mwizi by Kidum feat. Sana". AfricVisions. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
12. "VIDEO: Sanaipei – Mfalme Wa Mapenzi". 360nobs. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
13. "Sana Drops Hot New Video, Ankula huu". Kiss 100. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
14. "VIDEO OF THE DAY (KENYA): A Slice Of Reggae Heaven From Sana, In Her New Visual Piece, 'Rasta Man'!". Mdundo KE. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
15. "NEW MUSIC: Sanaipei Tande Gives Us More Reason To Lover Her With New Reggae Song, RastaMan". Mdundo KE. Retrieved 9 March 2016.