Bahati (singer)
{{Short description|Kenyan singer and songwriter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| birth_name = Kevin Mbuvi Kioko
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth year|7 July 1994}}
| birth_place = Kenya
| death_date =
| nationality = Kenyan
| citizenship =
| education = {{hlist| Nakeel Boys' High School|St Theresa's Boys' High School in Eastleigh}}
| alma_mater =
| occupation = {{hlist| Singer|Songwriter|politician}}
| years_active = 2013–Present
| known_for =
| title =
}}
Kevin Mbuvi Kioko, popularly known by his stage name Bahati, is a Kenyan singer and songwriter and former parliamentary candidate. His latest album, Love Like This, was released in 2021. He is also known by his nickname, 'Mtoto wa Mama'.
Early life and education
Bahati was born in 1994 in Kenya. He lost his mother when he was just 7 years old and was raised at ABC Children's Home in the Mathare slums in Nairobi.{{Cite web |title=Bahati blesses Mathare in the biggest gospel concert yet |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2000161010/bahati-blesses-mathare-in-the-biggest-gospel-concert-yet |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en |first=Sheila |last=Kimani}}{{Cite web |title=Celebs who used to be street kids |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/2019-01-26-celebs-who-used-to-be-street-kids/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Star |language=en-KE |first=Elizabeth |last=Ngigi}}
He attended Mercury Academy for primary education. For secondary school education, he attended Nakeel Boys' High School in Rongai, Kajiado County and St Theresa's Boys' High School in Eastleigh, Nairobi County, where he completed his KCSE in the latter in 2011 and got a C+ grade.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-02 |title=Kevin Bahati: from orphan to Groove Award winner |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/showbiz/kevin-bahati-from-orphan-to-groove-award-winner-916120 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Nation |language=en |first=Hugholin |last=Kimaro}}
Career
= Music=
Bahati's singing traces its roots to his high school days at St Theresa's Boys when he represented the school in the national music festivals. Siku ya Kwanza, his first song, was recorded in 2012 and eventually became part of his first album, Barua za Bahati.{{Cite web |title="Barua za Bahati" goes live |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/local-news/article/2000128986/barua-za-bahati-goes-live |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en |first=Sheila |last=Kimani}} The album also comprised his breakout hit, Mama.
While he initially gained media recognition singing gospel songs, Bahati has since switched to contemporary secular music.{{Cite web |title=Bahati officially leaves gospel, launches 'contemporary' album |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001415673/bahati-officially-leaves-gospel-launches-contemporary-album |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en |first=Kirsten |last=Kanja}}{{Cite web |title=Singer Bahati reveals why he no longer identifies as a gospel musician |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001380481/singer-bahati-reveals-why-he-no-longer-identifies-as-a-gospel-musician |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en |first=Diana |last=Anyango}}{{Cite web |date=2023-07-30 |title='People behave like holier-than-thou' - Bahati reveals why he quit gospel music : K24 TV |url=https://www.k24tv.co.ke/entertainment/bahati-on-why-he-quit-gospel-111233/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=www.k24tv.co.ke |language=en-US |first=Ascah |last=Mwango}}
In 2015, Bahati opened his own recording studio called EMB Records, EMB being short for 'Eastlands Most Beloved'.{{Cite web |title=Bahati launches Eastlands Most Beloved recording studio |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2000178423/bahati-launches-eastlands-most-beloved-recording-studio |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en |first=Wesley |last=Kipng'enoh}} He closed it down in 2020 citing frustrations and a lack of support from fellow artists.{{Cite web |title='We need to wake up!' Bahati makes shocking decision to shut down EMB Records - The Sauce |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/we-need-to-wake-up-bahati-makes-shocking-decision-to-shut-down-emb-records/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=www.capitalfm.co.ke}}{{Cite web |last=Ngigi |first=Elizabeth|date=19 April 2020 |title=Gospel artistes are jealous of my success, says Bahati |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/word-is/2020-04-19-gospel-artistes-are-jealous-of-my-success-says-bahati/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}}
In 2021, Bahati released his latest album, Love Like This.{{Cite web |title=Bahati admits to clout-chasing as he releases the 'love Like This' album featuring Nadia Mukami, Rayvanny + more - The Sauce |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/bahati-admits-to-clout-chasing-as-he-releases-the-love-like-this-album-featuring-nadia-mukami-rayvanny-more/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=www.capitalfm.co.ke}} It features the popular song Pete Yangu featuring Nadia Mukami.
= Filmography =
In 2024, together with his fiancee Diana, launched a new reality series on Netflix, The Bahati's Empire.{{Cite web |title=Musician Bahati launches new reality TV show on Netflix |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-06-07-musician-bahati-launches-new-reality-tv-show-on-netflix/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}}
= Politics =
In 2022, Bahati announced that he would be venturing into politics, contesting for the Mathare constituency parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket.{{Cite web |last=AYEGA |first=DAVIS |date=2022-03-18 |title=Bahati 'Mtoto wa Mama' joins politics, to vie for Mathare MP's seat » Capital News |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2022/03/bahati-mtoto-wa-mama-joins-politics-to-vie-for-mathare-mps-seat/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Capital News |language=en-US}} Jubilee Party was part of the Azimio coalition. The coalition aimed to front only one candidate per constituency, as its constituent parties agreed not to field candidates in each other's stronghold areas. As a result, Bahati was initially denied the ticket until the zoning procedure was dropped allowing him to run. {{Cite web |last=NAKOLA |first=SHARON RESIAN |date=2022-07-10 |title=Bahati to vie for Mathare MP seat after IEBC lists name » Capital News |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2022/07/bahati-to-vie-for-the-mathare-mp-seat-after-iebc-lists-name/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Capital News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-10 |title=Bahati gazetted to run for Mathare MP seat |url=https://www.citizen.digital/news/bahati-gazetted-to-run-for-mathare-mp-seat-n301839 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}} He came third in the elections held on 9th August garnering 8,166 votes.{{Cite web |first=Victor |last=Amadala |date=12 August 2022 |title=Bahati floored in hotly contested Mathare MP race |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-08-12-bahati-floored-in-hotly-contested-mathare-mp-race/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}}{{Cite web |title=No luck for Bahati as he finishes third in Mathare MP race |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001453030/no-luck-for-bahati-as-he-finishes-third-in-mathare-mp-race |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en}}
After failing to clinch the Mathare MP seat, Bahati has hinted at running for a gubernatorial position in the next elections.{{Cite web |first=Hannie |last=Petra|date=20 October 2023|title=Bahati declares major political ambition after failed MP bid |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2023-10-20-bahati-declares-major-political-ambition-after-failed-mp-bid/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}}
Personal life
Bahati is engaged to Diana Marua{{cite news |last1=Ngigi |first1=Elizabeth |title=Why Bahati has never married Diana Marua, 7 years after traditional wedding – Nairobi News |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/why-bahati-has-never-married-diana-marua-7-years-after-traditional-wedding/ |work=nairobinews.nation.africa |date=20 June 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Bahati, marriage and fatherhood |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001475400/bahati-marriage-and-fatherhood |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-30 |title=Bahati on stormy first year of marriage: 'Diana walked out three times' |url=https://www.citizen.digital/entertainment/bahati-speaks-on-stormy-first-years-of-marriage-n301174 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}} and, together, they have three children.{{Cite web |title=Diana Marua and Bahati announce arrival of their third child |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/showbiz/article/2001459732/diana-marua-and-bahati-announce-arrival-of-their-third-child |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-05 |title=Diana Marua 'excited' to celebrate birthday in hospital |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/diana-marua-excited-to-celebrate-birthday-in-hospital/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Nairobi News |language=en-US}} They are also foster parents to a boy they adopted from the children's home Bahati grew up in.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-15 |title=Bahati, Diana Marua announce they're expecting third child |url=https://www.citizen.digital/entertainment/bahati-diana-marua-announce-theyre-expecting-third-child-n302194 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}}{{Cite web |date=2021-07-13 |title=Bahati reveals why he stopped dating after adopting son - K24 TV : K24 TV |url=https://www.k24tv.co.ke/entertainment/bahati-reveals-why-he-stopped-dating-after-adopting-son-39658/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=www.k24tv.co.ke |language=en-US}} Bahati is also a father to another child from a past relationship with ex-girlfriend Yvette Obura.{{Cite web |last=Ngigi |first=Elizabeth |date=15 March 2023 |title=Why Yvette Obura will forever be in Bahati's life |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/word-is/2023-03-15-why-yvette-obura-will-forever-be-in-bahatis-life/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}}{{Cite web |title=Bahati addresses Diana, Yvette Obura feud, Mueni whereabouts |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001467841/bahati-addresses-diana-yvette-obura-feud-mueni-whereabouts |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en}}
Awards
- 2013 Groove Awards – Best Upcoming Artist{{Cite web |title=Full List Of The Groove Award 2013 Winners |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/features/article/2000111959/full-list-of-the-groove-award-2013-winners |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en}}
- 2013 Mwafaka Awards – Collabo of the Year (for the song Wangu featuring Mr Seed){{Cite news |last=Kerongo |first=Grace |date=7 September 2013 |title=Gloria Muliro, Ringtone Win Mwafaka Prizes |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201309080002.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=The Star}}
- 2014 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMMA) – Best Gospel Artist{{Cite web |date=2014-05-18 |title=AFRIMMA Nominees 2014 |url=https://afrimma.com/afrimma-nominees-2014/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=AFRIMMA |language=en-US}}
- 2014 Mdundo Awards – Best Gospel Song (for the song Machozi){{Cite news |last=Gitau |first=Elly |date=6 May 2014 |title=Rabbit Wins Big at Mdundo Awards |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201405070207.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=The Star}}
- 2015 Groove Awards – Male Artist of the Year{{Cite web |date=2015-06-07 |title=Bahati Wins Big at the 2015 Groove Awards |url=https://www.citizen.digital/lifestyle/bahati-wins-big-at-the-2015-groove-awards-88231 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}}{{Cite news |date=9 June 2015 |title=Bahati the Ultimate Winner At Groove Awards |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201506090281.html |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=The Star}}
- 2015 Groove Awards – Song of the Year, Video of the Year, Most Downloaded Skiza Tune of the Year (for the song Barua){{Cite web |date=2015-06-07 |title=Bahati Wins Big at the 2015 Groove Awards |url=https://www.citizen.digital/lifestyle/bahati-wins-big-at-the-2015-groove-awards-88231 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}}