Elani (band)

Elani is a Kenyan African pop group from Nairobi. It consists of three members; Wambui Ngugi, Brian Chweya and Maureen Kunga.[1] The trio released their debut single"Jana Usiku" in November 2013 that became a great success,[2] paving way for their subsequent singles. In 2014, the trio released numerous singles in the making of their debut album Barua ya Dunia.

Elani
OriginNairobi, Kenya
Genres
Years active2011 (2011)–present (present)
LabelsRecord Union
Members
  • Wambui Ngugi
  • Maureen Kunga
  • Brian Chweya

History

2008 – 12; Band maturity

Elani met in January 2008 at Alliance Française in Nairobi. It originally consisted of four members; Wambui Ngugi, Maureen Kunga, Brian Chweya and Daniel Kimani.[3] Kimani's departure has never been explained.[4] They became more serious between 2010 and 2011 when they mutually decided to take their careers to the next level.[5]

2013  – Present; Barua ya Dunia

In 2013, the band released their debut single "Jana Usiku"[6][7] In March 2014, Elani released their second single "Milele",[8] the song talks about two lovers who live a forbidden passion, thereby the lady's family tries hard to marry her off to a doctor.[9] The video was shot by Sauti Sol's Savara Mudigi in conjunction with Sol Music Entertainment and directed by Enos Olik.[10] In mid 2014, the trio released "Kookoo", a song that was shot in the streets of Nairobi, and is the most successful production the band ever released since it was the most downloaded song in the downloading platforms.[11] As of 16 July 2014, "Kookoo" was ranked second in the respective week's chart just coming right after Bahati's "Barua".[12] The band has also released "hatua", "Zuzu",[13] "Uko Wapi", "Barua ya Dunia"[14] and "Mahindi. In 2016, the band featured Chameleone in their new single "My Darling".[15][16]

Controversies

On 12 January 2016, Elani released a statement through their YouTube channel and their other social media platforms, accusing the Music Copyright Society of Kenya(MCSK) of corruption over music royalty disparity.[17] Having paid them KES 31,000 for their royalties for television and radio air play.[18] They later stated, that after addressing their complaints to the relevant authorities of the society, Brian, one of the band members was called by the society's offices and paid a compensatory KES 300,000,[19] making the motive behind the two payments questionable.[20] MCSK later defended itself stating that all said by the band is not entirely true but accepted the fact that the band was paid peanuts but they (MCSK) later discovered a mistake on their (MCSK) part where they failed to monitor the band's songs for the period dated July 2013 to June 2014. Adding that KES 300,000 was compensation for the royalties lost within that period for which their song received massive airplay finalizing that that is a common mistake that happens not only to Elani but also other musicians.[21]

Band members
Current members
  • Wambui Ngugi  – Vocals (2008 –present)
  • Maureen Kunga  – Vocals (2008 –present)
  • Brian Chweya  – Vocalist, guitarist (2008 –present)
Previous members
  • Daniel Kimani

Personal Lives

Maureen Kunga

Kunga is a law school graduate (University of Nairobi) and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya

Wambui Ngugi

Ngugi is an Actuarial Science graduate (University of Nairobi).

Brian Chweya

Chweya is a law school graduate (University of Nairobi) and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

Discography

Studio albums
Barua ya Dunia
Title Cover Album details Notes
Barua ya Dunia
No.TitleLength
1."Jana Usiku"3:52
2."Milele"3:23
3."Kookoo"4:15
4."Hatua"3:55
5."Zuzu"3:48
6."Uko Wapi"3:52
7.Untitled5:20
8."Peperuka"3:58
9."Barua ya Dunia"4:14
10."Hapo Zamani"4:25
11."Mahindi"4:14
12."Kookoo" (Reggae remix)4:16
13."Zuzu" (featuring DJ Joe Mfalme)3:48

Singles
Year Single Director Album Ref(s)
2013 "Jana Usiku" Steve Muriungi Barua ya Dunia [22]
2014 "Milele"
"Kookoo" Ogopa Videos [23][24]
"Mahindi"
"Hapo Zamani" [25]
"Hatua"
"Zuzu" [26]
"Peperuka"
"Uko wapi"
"Barua ya Dunia" [27]
2015 "Nikupende" [28]
2016 "My Darling" (Elani featuring Chameleone) [29]
2018 "Heartbeat" Ogopa Videos [30]

Awards and nominations
YearAssociationAward categoryNominated workResultRef
2014 Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted - East "Kookoo" Nominated [31]
All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) Best African Pop Won [32]

References
  1. Momanyi, Harun (28 May 2014). "Nairobi's freshest band Elani is a reflection of what real music should be!". MomanyiHarun.com. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  2. Njoki, Eva (9 January 2014). "Jana Usiku by Elani". Kenya Buzz. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  3. "Conversation with Elani". Moderate Kenyan. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  4. "Elani". Wamathai. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  5. Mosongo, Josephine (18 May 2014). "One on One: Elani". Nation. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  6. "They off on the right foot with hit song Jana Usiku". Mdundo KE. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  7. "Music video by Elani performing Jana Usiku". Capital FM. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  8. "Elani - Milele". Nation. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  9. "Elani – Milele". Fetterly. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  10. "Hot Video: Elani – Milele". Radio Mbao. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  11. "Elani – Kookoo". Nation. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  12. "Bahati's letter 'delivered' as Elani kookoo's into 2nd place in this week's TOP 10". Mdundo KE. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  13. "Elani Zuzu remix". Mdundo KE. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  14. "Elani, Barua Ya Dunia". OMG. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  15. "Elani x Chameleone – My Darling". Not Just OK. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  16. Laureezy (12 February 2016). "Elani x Chameleone My Darling". V3Rcity. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  17. "Why Is This Popular Kenyan Band Calling Out Music Industry Corruption?". Okayafrica. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  18. "Kenyan band Elani slams copyright society over royalty disparity". Music in Africa. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  19. Sommerfeldt, Chris (13 January 2016). "'Enough is Enough:' Elani Demands Copyright Society Pay Their Artists Fairly". Kenyan Vibe. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  20. Ntoyai, Manuel (13 January 2016). "#ElaniSpeaks: Music Copyright Society of Kenya under attack again". Mediamax Network. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  21. ""Elani Not Entirely Truthful" – MCSK CEO". Nairobi Wire. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  22. "Elani: Jana Usiku". Bottom line. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  23. "Elani: Kookoo". Bottom line. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  24. O, Ovie (5 August 2014). "Elani-Barua ya dunia". Not Just OK. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  25. "Elani Release New Music Video "Hapo Zamani"". NaiBuzz. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  26. "New music alert: Elani with 'Zuzu'". Mdundo KE. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  27. "New Video Alert: Elano Barua ya Dunia". EbonyLife TV. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  28. "Elani release their nikupende lyrics video". Kiss 100. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  29. "WHY ELANI ARE CHARGING FOR NEW SONG". Nairobi News. 14 February 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  30. elanimuziki (7 August 2018), Elani - HeartBeat (Official Video), retrieved 23 August 2018
  31. "SAUTI SOL AND ELANI NOMINATED FOR THIS YEAR'S CHANNEL O AFRICA MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS". The Insider. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  32. "Elani bags Best African Pop award". Nation TV. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
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