Nviiri Sande, known by his stage name Nviiri the Storyteller, has emerged as one of Kenya’s and Africa’s finest Afro-pop artists.
The lyrical genius is a signee of Sauti Sol’s record label Soul Generation.
He is credited for hits like Kitenge, Nikita, Pombe Sigara, Ka uko Sawa, among others which have been played and replayed millions of times on YouTube.
However, he wasn’t always the Beethoven we know today.
According to numerous accounts from his mother, young Nviiri was allegedly so bad at singing that they considered him a noisemaker.
His talents improved dramatically after he gained access to a laptop, which he used to hone his piano skills.
This marked the beginning of Nviiri’s exploration into the world of music, setting the stage for his future successes.
From conquering the piano, he turned his attention to the guitar, a pivotal moment in his musical development.
Evidence from clips posted on his YouTube channel shows a weather-beaten Nviiri passionately humming tunes while strumming his guitar, albeit off-key.
But, like the piano, the guitar was as bread is to water when paired against Nviiri’s ambitious efforts.
His determination and passion for music led him to improve his skills. His mother’s encouragement validated his progress and motivated him to continue his musical pursuits.
“I never paid a single coin for him to learn a musical instrument” is the answer she now gives when questioned about the source of her son’s mastery of the guitar and piano.
After high school, his father pushed him to pursue mechanical engineering at one of the country’s universities.
Aside from music, the Dagoreti High alumni says he is passionate about cars.
This was what led him to work at his father’s garage after graduating, before he figured out what he wanted to do with his life.
There, he repeatedly got into trouble for singing while people were working. Naturally, his no-nonsense father kicked him out of the garage.
A lot of my compositions were made randomly in the middle of that garage,” he recently revealed in an exclusive with his fans on his YouTube channel.
Breakthrough
In a twist of fate, Nviiri’s life took a momentous turn when he crossed paths with Sauti Sol’s Bien during a casual guitar performance.
This encounter led to his involvement in co-writing Sauti Sol’s highest-viewed hit song “Melanin” in 2018, a pivotal moment that catapulted him to prominence.
The success of “Melanin” showcased Nviiri’s songwriting prowess and marked the beginning of his journey toward becoming a household name in African music.
It was also the first time that he earned as a songwriter. From there, he honed his writing skills and even started receiving contracts to write songs for other artists.
He currently charges up to Ksh 100 000 to write a song.
Artistic Growth
His artistic evolution continued as he joined Soul Generation, Sauti Sol’s record label. He was the second artist to be signed by Soul Generation.
This gave him an opportunity to connect with other musicians, fostering collaborations that enriched his musical career.
Nviiri’s debut single “Pombe Sigara” was a testament to his growth as an artist, showcasing his unique style and musical identity.
Recently, his star has continued to rise with the release of his album “Inside Out,” featuring collaborations with Afro-pop luminaries like Bensoul, Bien, Chike, and Tomi.
He launched the album at an exclusive pre-listening party.
