Nyota Ndogo: The Story Behind Her Hit Song “Siri”
Nyota Ndogo is a popular Kenyan singer who rose to fame with her hit song “Siri” in 2006. The song, which means “secret” in Swahili, was recorded for a KBC soap opera and became an instant hit among the fans. But what is the story behind this song?
According to Nyota Ndogo, she and her producer Kitalifa were paid only 5,000 Kenyan shillings (about 50 US dollars) for the song, while the composer of the lyrics got nothing. She said that they did not know that the song would become so popular and that they were not given any royalties or recognition for their work. She also said that the video for the song was done in an afternoon at J Blessing’s studio and that they did not have any budget or concept for it.
Nyota Ndogo said that she was happy that the song touched many people’s hearts and that she still performs it at her shows. She said that she has forgiven the people who exploited her and that she has moved on with her career. She said that she has learned from her experience and that she now negotiates better deals for her music. She also said that she hopes to collaborate with the composer of the lyrics someday and give him his due credit.
“Siri” is one of Nyota Ndogo’s most successful songs and it showcases her unique voice and style. The song is about a woman who is in love with a married man and who keeps their relationship a secret. The song expresses the woman’s emotions and dilemmas as she hopes for a better future with her lover.
Nyota Ndogo’s life and career have not been without challenges and controversies. She has faced criticism for her appearance, her marriage, and her music. However, she has also received praise and recognition for her talent and resilience. Here are some of the highlights of her journey.
Early life and education
Nyota Ndogo was born as Mwanaisha Abdalla on 14th October 1981 in Majengo, Mombasa. She is the daughter of Abdala Atib, a musician in a local band . She has five siblings, two brothers and three sisters. She attended Makande Primary School but dropped out before sitting for her KCPE exams due to lack of fees . She then worked as a housemaid for several years to support her family .
Music career
Nyota Ndogo’s musical inspiration came from the hip hop group K-South’s lyrics . She was discovered by Andrew Burchell, a Mombasa-based producer, who helped her record her first song “Nibebe” in 2003 . The song became a hit and was followed by other successful songs such as “Watu na Viatu”, “Siri”, “Mpenzi”, and “Mama wa Kambo” among others . Nyota Ndogo has released four albums: Chereko (2004), Nimetoka Mbali (2006), Mpenzi (2008), and Mamam Wakambo (2010). She has also collaborated with other artists such as Nonini, Mr. Blue, Q Chilla, and Necessary Noize .
Nyota Ndogo has performed in various local and international festivals and events such as Sauti za Busara and Ziff in Zanzibar, Dubai Summer Festival, World Social Forum in South Africa, and Karneval der Kulturen in Germany . She has also been featured on international compilations such as World 2003 and The Rough Guide to the Music of Kenya . She has won several awards such as Kisima Awards for Best Taarab Singer (2003) and Best Female Singer (2005), and has been nominated for PAM Awards and Tanzania Music Awards .
Personal life
Nyota Ndogo has been married twice. Her first marriage was to a man named K-Shot, whom she divorced after he allegedly cheated on her with another woman . She then married Henning Nielsen, a Danish national, in 2016 after dating for three years . The couple faced backlash from some people who criticized their age difference and racial background . However, Nyota Ndogo defended her marriage and said that she was happy with her husband . She also said that she converted to Christianity from Islam for the sake of her marriage .
Nyota Ndogo has four children: two biological sons from her previous marriage and two stepchildren from her current marriage . She said that she loves all her children equally and that they get along well with each other . She also said that she plans to have more children with her husband in the future .
Conclusion
Nyota Ndogo is one of the most influential and successful female singers in Kenya. She has overcome many obstacles and hardships in her life to achieve her dreams. She has also shown courage and confidence in her choices and actions. She is a role model for many young girls who aspire to pursue their passions and goals.