Ethnically and Culturally Inspired Music
ABOUT
Almaz Kenya
"Biography"
My name is Mary Hamboga Matufi, also known as "Almaz Kenya." I was born on June 24, 1985, in Mombasa, Kenya. I am a renowned lady singer who started my music career as a composer, arranger, and writer of my own music. I am from the little-known Pokomo-speaking community, in a family of 7 boys and 6 girls, with me being the youngest. I was born and grew up in the Coast Province. I went to Kiembeni Primary School, then later to Matuga Girls High School, where I dropped out because of school fees. I was inspired by various artists, namely Angelique Kidjo, Etta James, Randy Crawford, Richard Bona, Salif Keita, Miriam Makeba, etc. The list is endless.
My music career started on a low profile when I was in Form 2 in the year 2000, with my elder brother Igwo Mzuguller nurturing my talent in Kiembeni Estate.
Before I was into music, I was selling local street food and later worked as a local salonist, among other handy jobs, after dropping out from Matuga High School while topping my class in Form 2 due to lack of school fees.
I started pounding the pavements with Abdallah Khamis of the famous Safari Sounds. My first gig was at White Sands Hotel. Then I joined my big brother Igwo in his band Oasis Duo, where we also performed in different hotels on the shores of Mombasa in the year 2000, namely The African Safari Club, White Sands, Voyager, Sand and Sand, Leopard Hotel, etc.
In late 2000, Igwo and I moved to Nairobi in search of greener pastures. We met a lot of hurdles, and in 2002, I left Oasis Duo, which we formed together, for Pressmen Band, a well-known band in Kenya, famous for the song "Msenangu." In 2004, I landed another contract with Boda Boda Band, owned by Kidum. While at Kidum's, I got the chance to meet many other recording and performing artists/bands/events organizers that took my interest in music to the next level and helped me spread my wings. I did backup vocals for many artists, including Kidum, Iddi Achieng, Olieth, Susan Owiyo, Andy Brown from Zimbabwe, East African Idols contestants, etc. My list of bands is extensive! I performed with Hot Sounds Band, Tutu Band, Rafikis Band, Marcus Kamau's Band, Twin Tunes Band, Sweet Waves Band, Big Flame Band, Basi Tu the Band, Kayamba Africa, Spotlight Band, etc., and now my own Latapaza Tunes Band, which I formed in 2010.
My interest in doing my own songs started in 2007 with my ethnic Pokomo song titled "Kithoko," our traditional dancing style. To date, I have composed many songs to completion. I have recorded a full album of 13 songs named "MUYOGI," alongside other singles.
I have been performing my own music at different concerts, state functions, and shows for a while now and am still going strong.
Mary Hamboga Matufi aka Almaz Kenya
God bless.
"Biography"
My name is Mary Hamboga Matufi, also known as "Almaz Kenya." I was born on June 24, 1985, in Mombasa, Kenya. I am a renowned lady singer who started my music career as a composer, arranger, and writer of my own music. I am from the little-known Pokomo-speaking community, in a family of 7 boys and 6 girls, with me being the youngest. I was born and grew up in the Coast Province. I went to Kiembeni Primary School, then later to Matuga Girls High School, where I dropped out because of school fees. I was inspired by various artists, namely Angelique Kidjo, Etta James, Randy Crawford, Richard Bona, Salif Keita, Miriam Makeba, etc. The list is endless.
My music career started on a low profile when I was in Form 2 in the year 2000, with my elder brother Igwo Mzuguller nurturing my talent in Kiembeni Estate.
Before I was into music, I was selling local street food and later worked as a local salonist, among other handy jobs, after dropping out from Matuga High School while topping my class in Form 2 due to lack of school fees.
I started pounding the pavements with Abdallah Khamis of the famous Safari Sounds. My first gig was at White Sands Hotel. Then I joined my big brother Igwo in his band Oasis Duo, where we also performed in different hotels on the shores of Mombasa in the year 2000, namely The African Safari Club, White Sands, Voyager, Sand and Sand, Leopard Hotel, etc.
In late 2000, Igwo and I moved to Nairobi in search of greener pastures. We met a lot of hurdles, and in 2002, I left Oasis Duo, which we formed together, for Pressmen Band, a well-known band in Kenya, famous for the song "Msenangu." In 2004, I landed another contract with Boda Boda Band, owned by Kidum. While at Kidum's, I got the chance to meet many other recording and performing artists/bands/events organizers that took my interest in music to the next level and helped me spread my wings. I did backup vocals for many artists, including Kidum, Iddi Achieng, Olieth, Susan Owiyo, Andy Brown from Zimbabwe, East African Idols contestants, etc. My list of bands is extensive! I performed with Hot Sounds Band, Tutu Band, Rafikis Band, Marcus Kamau's Band, Twin Tunes Band, Sweet Waves Band, Big Flame Band, Basi Tu the Band, Kayamba Africa, Spotlight Band, etc., and now my own Latapaza Tunes Band, which I formed in 2010.
My interest in doing my own songs started in 2007 with my ethnic Pokomo song titled "Kithoko," our traditional dancing style. To date, I have composed many songs to completion. I have recorded a full album of 13 songs named "MUYOGI," alongside other singles.
I have been performing my own music at different concerts, state functions, and shows for a while now and am still going strong.
Mary Hamboga Matufi aka Almaz Kenya
God bless.
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