Avril (singer)
Kenyan actress and singer (born 1986)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Judith Nyambura Mwangi (born 30 April 1986),[1][2] who is better known as Avril (/ˌævrɪl/), 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.[3] 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).[4] Avril's contributions to the Kenyan entertainment industry have earned her one Nzumari Award, one Kisima Music Award,[5] one Golden Mic Award[6] and two Chaguo La Teeniez Awards.
Avril | |
|---|---|
Avril using a product from her personal care line My Everything by Avril | |
| Born | Judith Nyambura Mwangi 30 April 1986[1][2] Nakuru, Kenya |
| Education | University of Nairobi |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Labels | Digitone Music Group (current) Ogopa Deejays (former) |
Life and career
Early life and music career
Avril was born and raised in Nakuru, the former capital of the Rift Valley Province of Kenya.[7] 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 was sent to radio stations across Kenya.[1] Avril was later featured on Colonel Mustapha's "Mtaani dot com" (sometimes stylized as "mtaani.com"). The song's music video was released and uploaded to YouTube on 15 October 2009.[8]
Avril started gaining prominence after being featured on the remix of A.Y's 2010 single "Leo". 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 received numerous radio airplay. On 31 January 2012, Avril released the single "Kitu Kimoja"; its music video was filmed at a resort on the Kenyan coast line.[9] In February 2013, Avril released the single "Hakuna Yule". 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.[10] In March 2014, Avril was featured on the chorus of Boomba Boyz's 2014 single "Piga Kengele".[11] In July 2014, she performed at the Tusker Meru 7 After Party.[12]
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.[4] 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 due to the feelings she developed for her co-star Nick Mutuma. Moreover, she said starring in the series reminded her about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.[2]
2013–2023: Noose of Gold (season 5)
In February 2013, Avril joined the cast of M-Net's Noose of Gold as Corrine.[13][14] Avril has starred in several Kenyan television shows, including Skandals Kibao, Sumu la Penzi, Pepeta (2022) and Faithless (2023).[15][16]
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][17] Avril has been involved in several humanitarian campaigns, including the Chagua Amani Peace Campaign and Kenya Land Alliance.[18] In February 2015, she became one of East Africa's ambassadors for Oriflame Sweden[19][20] and AMREF's Save an African Mother Campaign.[21]
Discography
Studio albums
- Spirit (2022)
- Be Kind (EP) (2022)
Singles
| Year | Title | Album | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Mama" | Non-album single | |
| "Mtaani dot com" (Colonel Mustapha featuring Avril) | [22] | ||
| 2010 | "Leo" (Remix) (AY featuring Avril) | [23] | |
| "Chokoza" (Marya featuring Avril) | [22] | ||
| 2012 | "Kitu Kimoja" | [24] | |
| 2013 | "Hakuna Yule" | [25] | |
| 2014 | "Piga Kengele" (Boomba Boyz featuring Avril) | [26] | |
| "Nikimuona" | [27] | ||
| 2015 | "Hello Baby"(Avril featuring Ommy Dimpoz) | [28] | |
| "Ninaweza"(Avril featuring Rabbit-Kaka Sungura) | [29] | ||
| "No Stress" (Avril featuring AY) | [30] |
Filmography
Films
| Films | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
| Behind the Veil | ||||
| The Checklist | Produced by SpielWorks Media | |||
| 2017 | World Tofauti | Nina | Produced by Kang'ethe Mungai | [31] |
Television
| Television | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
| 2012 | Mali | Atiah | Recurring role | [32] |
| 2013 | Shuga | Miss B'Have/Belinda | Main cast
(season 2) |
[2] |
| 2013–present | Sumu la Penzi | Eva | Main cast | [33] |
| 2014 | Noose of Gold | Corrine | Recurring cast (season 5) | [34] |
| 2015–16 | Skandals Kibao | Karen | Supporting actress | [35] |
| 2017 | Varshita | Scarlet | Guest role | |
| 2017 | Auntie Boss! | Guest role | ||
| 2022 | Pepeta | Nduta | Supporting actress | |
| 2023 | Faithless | Deborah | Lead role | |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted East Video | "Mama" | Nominated | [36] |
| Museke Online Africa Music Awards | Best African Collaboration | "Leo" (Remix) (AY featuring Avril) |
Nominated | [37] | |
| Nzumari Awards | Best Female Artiste | Herself | Won | [38] | |
| 2011 | Chaguo La Teeniez Awards | Best Female Artiste | Won | ||
| Golden Mic Awards | Most Promising Artiste | Won | |||
| Teen Choice Awards | Best Female Artist | Won | [1] | ||
| Pearl of Africa Music Awards | Nominated | ||||
| Nzumari Awards | Best Female Artiste | Nominated | |||
| 2012 | Kisima Music Awards | Best Boomba Artist | Won | [39] | |
| Chaguo La Teeniez Awards | Best Female Artiste | Won | [38] | ||
| 2015 | Pulse Music Video Awards | Best Female Artist of the Year | Won | [40] | |
| 2016 | Kora Awards | Best Female Artist – East Africa | N/a | [41] | |
| 2018 | Mdundo Awards | Most Downloaded Afropop | Nominated | [42] |
