Avril (singer) explained

Avril
Birth Name:Judith Nyambura Mwangi
Birth Date:30 April 1986[1]
Birth Place:Nakuru, Kenya
Alma Mater:University of Nairobi
Years Active:2007–present
Children:1
Module:
Embed:yes
Label:Digitone Music Group (current)
Ogopa Deejays (former)
Website:www.instagram.com/theavieway

Judith Nyambura Mwangi (born 30 April 1986),[1] who is better known as Avril, is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. She was formerly signed to Ogopa Deejays, one of the leading music production and record labels in Kenya.[2] As a singer, she is known for the singles "Mama", "Kitu Kimoja", "Chokoza" and "Hakuna Yule". As an actress, she is best known for playing Miss B'Have on Shuga: Love, Sex, Money (2012).[3] Avril's contributions to the Kenyan entertainment industry have earned her one Nzumari Award, one Kisima Music Award,[4] one Golden Mic Award[5] and two Chaguo La Teeniez Awards.

Life and career

Biography and music career

Avril was born and raised in Nakuru, the former capital of the Rift Valley Province.[6] She was very active in drama and music festivals while in high school. Avril later relocated to Nairobi to pursue an undergraduate education.[1] In 2005, she partook in the Jaza Lorry initiative and met talent manager Emmanuel Banda of Ogopa Deejays Production. Although Banda tried convincing her to venture into music, Avril remained hesitant at the time. She enrolled at the University of Nairobi in 2006 and studied design. She changed her mind about music during her second year at UoN, and recorded her debut single "Mama" after signing a record deal with Ogopa Deejays. The song was released in 2009 and sent to radio stations across Kenya.[1] Avril was later featured on Colonel Mustapha's "Mtaani dot com" (sometimes stylized as "mtaani.com"). The music video for "Mtaani dot com" was released and uploaded to YouTube on 15 October 2009.[7]

Avril began to gain prominence following her collaboration with A.Y on his 2010 single "Leo" (Remix). Her collaborative single with Sudanese singer Lam, titled "Changes", was released in Sudan.[1] In November 2010, she was featured on Marya's breakthrough single "Chokoza", which was released to critical acclaim and received numerous radio airplay. On 31 January 2012, Avril released the single "Kitu Kimoja". The music video for the song was shot at a resort on the Kenyan coast line.[8] In February 2013, Avril released "Hakuna Yule", and in January 2014, she debunked rumors regarding her exit from Ogopa Deejays and said the relationship she has with the label's executives was built on understanding.[9] In March 2014, Avril was featured on the chorus of Boomba Boyz's 2014 single "Piga Kengele".[10] In July 2014, she performed at the Tusker Meru 7 After Party.[11]

Acting career

2011–12: Shuga: Love, Sex, Money

Avril made her acting debut in the second season of the television series Shuga. She played the character Miss B'Have, a celebrity singer who is a firm believer in monogamous relationships.[3] She also played Belinda, a minor character. She was offered the roles after auditioning for the producers of the show.[1] In a 2012 interview with Capital Lifestyle, Avril said playing both characters was therapeutic and that starring in the series was an emotional rollercoaster. She also said starring in the series reminded her about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.[12]

2013–2023: Noose of Gold (season 5)

In February 2013, Avril joined the cast of M-Net's Noose of Gold. She played the role of Corrine.[13] [14] Avril has starred in several Kenyan television shows, including Skandals Kibao, Sumu la Penzi, Pepeta (2022) and Faithless (2023).[15]

Musical influences and humanitarian work

Avril has cited Amani, Blu 3, Tiwa Savage, Liquideep, Alicia Keys and Beyoncé as musicians who inspired her. She also cited Michael Jackson, Kenny Rogers, Alicia keys and Beyoncé as her favourite artists. Her inspiration to write and record music stems from her life experiences.[1] [16] Avril has been involved in several humanitarian campaigns, including the Chagua Amani Peace Campaign and Kenya Land Alliance.[17] In February 2015, she became one of East Africa's ambassadors for Oriflame Sweden[18] [19] and AMREF's Save an African Mother Campaign.[20] She has also lent her voice to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in championing reproductive health for young girls.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

YearTitleAlbumRef
2009"Mama"
"Mtaani dot com" (Colonel Mustapha featuring Avril)[21]
2010"Leo" (Remix) (AY featuring Avril) [22]
"Chokoza" (Marya featuring Avril)
2012"Kitu Kimoja"[23]
2013"Hakuna Yule"[24]
2014"Piga Kengele" (Boomba Boyz featuring Avril) [25]
"Nikimuona"[26]
2015"Hello Baby"(Avril featuring Ommy Dimpoz)[27]
"Ninaweza"(Avril featuring Rabbit-Kaka Sungura)[28]
"No Stress" (Avril featuring AY)[29]

Filmography

Films

Films
YearTitleRoleNotesRef
Behind the VeilProduced by SpielWorks Mediarowspan="2"
The Checklist

Television

Television
YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2012MaliAtiahRecurring role [30]
2013Shuga Miss B'Have/BelindaMain cast(season 2)
2013–presentSumu la PenziEvaMain cast[31]
2014Noose of Gold CorrineRecurring cast (season 5)[32]
2015–16Skandals KibaoKarenSupporting actress[33]
2017VarshitaScarletGuest role
2017Auntie Boss!Guest role
2022PepetaNdutaSupporting actress
2023FaithlessDeborahLead role

Awards and nominations

YearEventCategory RecipientResultRef
2010Channel O Music Video AwardsMost Gifted East Video"Mama"[34]
Museke Online Africa Music AwardsBest African Collaboration"Leo" (Remix)
(AY featuring Avril) 		[35]
Nzumari AwardsBest Female ArtisteHerself[36]
2011Chaguo La Teeniez AwardsBest Female Artiste
Golden Mic AwardsMost Promising Artiste
Teen Choice AwardsBest Female Artist
Pearl of Africa Music Awards
Nzumari AwardsBest Female Artiste
2012Kisima Music AwardsBest Boomba Artist[37]
Chaguo La Teeniez AwardsBest Female Artiste
2015Pulse Music Video AwardsBest Female Artist of the Year[38]
2016Kora AwardsBest Female Artist – East Africa[39]
2018Mdundo Awards Most Downloaded Afropop[40]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Irura. Eddie. Avril – Up Close. filmkenya.co.ke. Film Kenya. 13 August 2014. 28 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814063951/http://www.filmkenya.co.ke/film-in-kenya/avril-up-close-and-real. 14 August 2014. dead.
  2. Web site: Jay. Mwangi. Judith Nyambura-Avril. Kenya Celebrities. 13 August 2014. 14 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20141127021623/http://www.kenyacelebrities.com/2012/04/judith-nyambura-avril/. 27 November 2014. dead.
  3. Web site: Shuga: Love, Sex, Money -Season 2 – Avril. mtvbase.com. MTV Base. 13 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814064528/http://www.mtvbase.com/shows/shuga-love-sex-money-s2/cast/shuga2-missbhave/#bio. 14 August 2014. dead.
  4. Web site: 10th Kisima Music Awards 2012 Winners . 12 January 2016 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140810042910/http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/index.php/the-2012-kisima-music-awards-winners . 10 August 2014 .
  5. Web site: List of nomineess of Nzumari Awards. 12 January 2016. Cityville Mombasa. https://web.archive.org/web/20160201182433/http://cityvillemombasa.blogspot.co.ke/2015/11/events-list-of-nominees-of-nzumari.html?m=1. 1 February 2016. live.
  6. Web site: I am not a lesbian, says Avril. Daily Nation. 13 August 2014. 25 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814055628/http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/showbiz/I-am-not-a-lesbian-says-Avril/-/1950810/2292800/-/snlhxaz/-/index.html. 14 August 2014. live.
  7. Web site: Colonel Mustapha feat Avril – Mtaani dot Com. Get Mziki. 8 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814063736/http://www.getmziki.com/2009/12/colonel-mustapha-feat-avril-mtaani-dot-com-getmziki-exclusive/. 14 August 2014. live.
  8. Web site: Oyugi. Kevin. AVRIL'S BRAND NEW 'KITU KIMOJA'. GHAFLA!. 8 August 2014. 1 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814073521/http://www.ghafla.co.ke/news/music/item/273-avrils-brand-new-kitu-kimoja. 14 August 2014. live.
  9. Web site: Muchiri. John. Avril: I am not about to leave Ogopa. Daily Nation. 13 August 2014. 24 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814055413/http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/showbiz/I-am-not-about-to-leave-Ogopa/-/1950810/2158982/-/hv2lgnz/-/index.html. 14 August 2014. live.
  10. Web site: 'Piga Kengele' by Boomba Boyz feat Avril. Daily Nation. 13 August 2014. 23 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814061231/http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/buzz/Piga-Kengele-by-Boomba-Boyz-feat-Avril/-/441236/2254588/-/71rm6d/-/index.html. 14 August 2014. live.
  11. Web site: Hakuna Yule Singer, Avril's Electrifying Performance at the Meru 7s. newsKenya.co.ke. 13 August 2014. 7 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814075122/http://newskenya.co.ke/news/latest/niaje/hakuna-yule-singer-avril-s-electrifying-performance-at-the-meru-7s/f36ht.739936. 14 August 2014. live.
  12. Web site: Walubengo. Laura. Avril talks Love, Sex and Money. Lifestyle Magazine. 13 August 2014. 6 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814055643/http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/lifestyle/2012/02/06/avril-talks-love-sex-and-money/. 14 August 2014. live.
  13. Web site: Avril Plays a Drug Trafficker in "Noose of Gold". Niaje. 14 August 2014. 5 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814070654/http://niaje.com/blog/avril-plays-a-drug-trafficker-in-noose-of-gold/. 14 August 2014. live.
  14. Web site: Walubengo. Laura. Avril joins cast of Noose of Gold. Africa Magic. 14 August 2014. 8 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814060903/http://africamagic.dstv.com/2013/02/08/avril-joins-cast-of-noose-of-gold/. 14 August 2014. dead. dmy-all.
  15. Web site: Whittock . Max Goldbart,Jesse . Goldbart . Max . Whittock . Jesse . 2023-06-06 . 'Faithless': Showmax Greenlights Kenyan Thriller About A Heist Gone Bad . 2023-07-11 . Deadline . en-US.
  16. Web site: Meet Avril, Kenya recording artist. Kenyanizer. 13 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814054152/http://www.kenyanizer.com/profiles/blogs/meet-avril-kenya-recording-artist. 14 August 2014. dead.
  17. Web site: Chagua Amani Peace Campaign Launched. Kenya Red Cross. 9 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814055904/https://www.kenyaredcross.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=396&Itemid=124. 14 August 2014. dead.
  18. Web site: Avril: Up look-Coke Studio Africa. 30 December 2015. Coke Studio Africa. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060217/https://cokestudio.ng/artist/view/avril. 4 March 2016. dead.
  19. Web site: Olive. Gichuru. Avril appointed Kenya's Oriflame brand ambassador. 30 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304213132/https://kiss100.co.ke/avril-appointed-kenyas-oriflame-brand-ambassador/. 4 March 2016. live.
  20. Web site: 23 February 2015. Martin. Oduor. Avril Inks A Deal With AMREF. 30 December 2015. Ghafla. https://web.archive.org/web/20160109001217/http://www.ghafla.co.ke/news/music/30387-avril-inks-a-deal-with-amref-see-details. 9 January 2016. dead.
  21. Web site: Artist Marya Unplugged. 16 December 2015. kenyanmagazines .com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150710234801/http://www.kenyanmagazines.com/musician-marya-unplugged/. 10 July 2015. live.
  22. Web site: Leo remix. 16 December 2015. YouTube. 15 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230215021922/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Kla8Dj2exAQ. live.
  23. Web site: Kitu Kimoja. Ogopa Deejays. 16 December 2015. YouTube. 15 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230215021928/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=1DVnbtfJ6Zs. live.
  24. Web site: Hakuna yule lyrics. Avril Nyambura. 16 December 2015. metrolyrics.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222121157/http://www.metrolyrics.com/hakuna-yule-missing-you-lyrics-avril-nyambura.html. 22 December 2015. unfit.
  25. Web site: 23 March 2014. 'Piga Kengele' by Boomba Boyz feat Avril. 16 December 2015. nation.co.ke. https://web.archive.org/web/20151127005919/http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/buzz/Piga-Kengele-by-Boomba-Boyz-feat-Avril/-/441236/2254588/-/71rm6d/-/index.html. 27 November 2015. live.
  26. Web site: Nikimwona. December 16, 2015. mpasho.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222165815/http://mdundo.com/news/3046. 22 December 2015. live.
  27. Web site: January 19, 2015. Avril. Hello Baby. YouTube. December 16, 2014. 15 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230215021922/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EDmKnqpdw1k. live.
  28. Web site: Photos from Avrils photo-shoot for Ninaweza. December 16, 2015. Niaje. https://web.archive.org/web/20160407141331/http://niaje.com/exclusive-photos-from-avril-and-king-kakas-ninawaeza-video-shoot/. 7 April 2016. live.
  29. Web site: SINGER AVRIL: I HAVE NO MORE STRESS. December 16, 2015. Standard Media. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222145522/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/m/story.php?articleID=2000182718&story_title=Singer-Avril-I-have-no-more-stress. 22 December 2015. live.
  30. Web site: New TV drama promises to be the game changer. Daily Nation. 15 November 2014. 24 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20140306233259/http://www.nation.co.ke/Features/buzz/New+TV+drama+promises+to+be+the+game+changer/-/441236/1241702/-/gdo0ta/-/index.html. 6 March 2014. live.
  31. Web site: SUMU LA PENZI. Spielworks Media. 15 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129015427/http://www.spielworksmedia.com/pdetail/sumu-la-penzi/. 29 November 2014. live.
  32. Web site: Kerongo. Grace. Kenya: Avril Bags Villain Role in M-Net Series. allAfrica.com. 14 August 2014. 8 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814065104/http://allafrica.com/stories/201302081527.html. 14 August 2014. live.
  33. Web site: Avril's not moving to gospel. December 16, 2015. biggestkaka.co.ke. 18 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151117110544/http://biggestkaka.co.ke/confirmed-avril-not-switching-to-gospel/. 17 November 2015. live.
  34. Web site: Channel O Music Video Awards 2010 Nominees Announced! Find Out Who Made The Cut. Bellanaija. 9 August 2014. 20 August 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814071431/http://www.bellanaija.com/2010/08/20/channel-o-music-video-awards-2010-nominees-announced-find-out-who-made-the-cut/. 14 August 2014. live.
  35. Web site: 2010 MOAMAs Award Nominees. MOAMAs. 9 August 2014. 6 March 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20140816005649/http://moamas.com/2010-moamas-award-nominees/. 16 August 2014. live.
  36. Web site: Avril Achievements. Ogopa Deejays. 14 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814063210/http://ogopadeejays.co.ke/p/artist/9. 14 August 2014. live.
  37. Web site: Wagwau. Adam. Full Winners' List: Kisima Awards 2012. GHAFLA!. 9 August 2014. 3 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140814073831/http://www.ghafla.co.ke/news/music/item/5057-full-winners-list-kisima-awards-2012. 14 August 2014. dead.
  38. Web site: Wesley. Kipng'enoh. December 12, 2015. Here are the winners of the first Pulse Music Video Awards. December 16, 2015. SDE. https://web.archive.org/web/20151215043727/http://www.sde.co.ke/m/article/2000185157/here-are-the-winners-of-the-first-pulse-music-video-awards. 15 December 2015. live.
  39. Web site: KORA Awards 2016: full list of nominations. 26 January 2016. My TV News. https://web.archive.org/web/20160131130153/http://www.mytvnews.co.za/kora-awards-2016-full-list-of-nominations/. 31 January 2016. live.
  40. Web site: ONGEA! To Host Mdundo Awards 2018 – Here Is The Full List Of Nominees . Kenyan Music.co.ke . 28 March 2019 . 5 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190328111840/https://kenyanmusik.co.ke/blog/ongea-host-mdundo-awards-2018-full-list-nominees/ . 28 March 2019 . live .

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