Hubert Mbuku Nakitare, commonly known by his stage name Nonini, is a Kenyan hip hop recording artist, entertainer, radio presenter, businessman and philanthropist. He is often referred to Godfather he is well known for his controversial lyrics.
Personal life
Nonini was born Hubert Nakitare in October 1982 in California Estate in the Kamukunji constituency of Nairobi, Kenya. He is of luhya origin. Nonini became a dad to a baby boy in the late 2012
Biography
Nonini originally signed to Calif Records, but later joined Homeboyz Productions. He was introduced to the Kenyan urban music scene through his debut single "Nonini ni Nani?" He achieved national and regional recognition with his 2002 track "Manzi wa Nairobi," a song which praised the beauty of Kenyan women and a follow-up single "Weh Kamu". He went on to release his debut album Hanyaring Game in late 2004 which included the hit "Keroro" a Kenyan slang term for beer. Nonini is famed for releasing the first Genge hit early in his career. He runs a video production company named "Pro Habo" which successfully gave rise to P Unit. He is also a radio presenter.
Collaborations and affiliated acts
Later, Nani Mwenza, his collaboration track with Tanzanian musician Juma Nature, became a regional hit. In addition, he has collaborated with local artist Nameless to create a Friday anthem appropriately titled "furahi-day". Both songs are on his second album Mwisho Ya Mawazo, released in 2007. The album features several guest musicians, including Nyota Ndogo, Mercy Myra, Professor Jay and Q-Chief.
He is the founder of P-Unit that consists of rappers Bonnie, Frasha, Gabu and himself. The crew has produced several songs most notably "Si Lazima" a Swahili phrase which literally translates to "it's not a must". The song talks of times in a relationship where a couple does not need to have sex – they can just go home and relax. People have found the song quite contradictory to the messages he communicated in previous songs. At the 2007 Kisima Music Awards P-Unit won the Boomba Group category. It was the first time Nonini won a Kisima Award. Their second single is known as "Kushoto-Kulia"; meaning "Left-Right". Both songs are on Nonini's "Mwisho ya Mawazo" album.
Recognition and awards
In August 2007, Nonini was selected as one of the 100 most influential Kenyans by The Standard newspaper. In 2009 he was named International Lifestyle Ambassador by the Limkokwing University in Malaysia. MCSK 2012 Cross Over Artiste Award 2012 Best Hip-Hop Song at the Kisima Awards 2012 Best Director Music Video Kisima Awards 2012 with the same song 2 time Top Earner MCSK Royalties Artiste 2013, In 2013 Nonini has been elected as a director representing the Audio Visual Sector at the Performance Rights Society of Kenya where he expects to help in consolidating efforts towards royalties' collections and represents the plight of artistes in the entertainment industry.
