Grace Mwai Biography
Grace Mwai is a Kenyan musician whose most songs are in vernacular ‘Kikuyu’. She was also a presenter at Inooro TV. She is famously known for her hit song “Kirathimo” which she released in 2013.
Grace Mwai recorded her first album ‘Mawega Maku’ in 2008. She had to borrow money from her parents to produce the album and when it did not yield instant fame, her parents were disappointed her mother encouraged her to not give up, but follow her passion.
Grace Mwai Education Background
Undergraduate student at Mount Kenya University, Degree in Marketing and Business Administration
Secondary school student at Kibutha Girls’ High School.
Primary school student at Consolata Primary School.
Grace Mwai Musical Career
Since Grace Mwai was a little girl, she used to get up in church and sing in the choir and her heart was always set on being a singer. So her parents always knew she had a gift and they supported her even though they were skeptical. In 2013, she released her second album ‘Kirathimo’ and the response was overwhelming. “To be honest she believed it was God who helped her because she didn’t know anyone in the music industry. She simply dropped her album at local radio stations and the presenters played it and instantly and it was a hit.
Grace Mwai Song Kirathimo
The song has received considerable airplay on local radio stations and the video has been featured in television gospel shows thrusting her music into the limelight. She has also performed at Mwafaka and Groove Awards Shows and hopes to one day win an award for her music. With the vernacular radio station listeners embracing their local artistes, Mwai says this is what has given them an opportunity to earn from their art.
The Internet and various new media avenues have also played a role in exposing her music. When she first started out, YouTube and mobile phone applications like ring tones were not widely used. But now they are a key source or revenue and exposure for us as artists. She says growing as a gospel artiste from Nyeri County has its challenges as there are few fans willing to pay for concert tickets or attend shows. She loves singing at her Church Gospel Outreach, but when you stay in one place for long you don’t grow your talent, people get used to you and when you ask them today for a show they are likely not to.
Grace Mwai says her mentors in the church, who gave her an opportunity to explore her talent and gain confidence, have made climbing her way to the top possible. She didn’t have a manager. She handles her contracts and organizes for her gigs personally. Sometimes people assume that because she is a Christian, they can take advantage of her but I don’t cower at getting the best deal for her work. Mwai’s key goal now is exposure; her aim as a young artist is to get her name and music out there.
Grace Mwai would like to collaborate with Eunice Njeri, Christine Shusho, and Paul Mwai because they are great artists. I never really expected anything since I was used to ‘failing’ in fact I made no effort in distribution to media houses.
Grace Mwai Video
The fast rising gospel singer last week shared her fears, struggles, highs and lows in a candid interview with Citizen Digital.
Grace Mwai – Early Life
“I was raised in Nyeri. I am the last born in a family of three (two girls, one boy). My brother (the second born), was my parents’ favourite as he is the only boy in the family. I wasn’t spoilt as many might think. Though, I enjoyed growing up as the last born.”
“I played football (goalkeeper) and badminton during my childhood. I stopped engaging in vigorous sporting activities after I left high school.
The Consolata Primary School and Kibutha Girls’ High School alumnus says she was a dormitory captain and a Christian Union devotee while schooling at the former.
Grace Mwai Songs and Albums
“I have sung all my life, though I recorded my first album in 2008. The album that thrust me into the limelight was Kirathimo which I released in 2013.
She says she did not expect such a huge success from the album – and that it scared her; at the same time, encouraged her to toil harder.
“It challenged me more because I was this village girl who had just sprung into the limelight. It also humbled me as it taught me that no matter where you come from, you can command an audience when you try.
Her success, however, did not just come at the first attempt – she had earlier tried but failed to make an impact.
“When I produced my first album (Mawega Maku), I had borrowed money from my parents and the album did not do well. I felt bad about it. I felt like I had disappointed them because they had committed a huge amount of money (Ksh12, 000) back then. At the same time, I encouraged myself that it was just the beginning of better things to come.”
Grace Mwai – Kikuyu Music Industry
“I would say, being intentional. Before I release my songs, I take time with it – writing it, I pray about it and commit myself to it. I will not stop doing music. It has brought me this far. I am very intentional with it. My key goal is to use music to bring hope to the society.”
Grace Mwai Role Model – Esther Wahome
“It made me work harder; it made me want to know more. Reaching her level requires effort. I would look at her and admire her. It challenged me to give my best and become a better person. We interact but not very much; even when she fellowshipped at that church, I wasn’t there. I came way later after she’d left. We have however met in one or two gigs. I admire her secretly.”
Grace Mwai – A Presenter With Inooro Television
“I did not even in my wildest dreams think that I would be a media personality. I am still in the process of self discovery, but to me, it is a miracle. Inooro Television was looking for a gospel show host. They thus called me for an interview which I passed. The experience is good, I am still learning though.”
Grace Mwai – Most Embarrassing Moment
“(Laughs) there was this time I was performing at a 2013 Groove Party and the fog machine on stage emitted a dense vapor that appeared similar to smoke. I was shocked; I thought the stage was on fire! I forgot the lyrics to my song. Actually, I almost ran away; I panicked until the belt on my skirt loosened and fell off, but thank God I had dancers who continued doing their thing on stage – so I wondered why they weren’t running away. I asked one of them what that (smoke) was. He enlightened me. After that embarrassment, I sang quite a distance away from the fog machine.”
Grace Mwai Boyfriend
“No, I am single and mingling. I haven’t identified the potential partner yet. God will bring me prince charming. I am the princess of the Lord.
“My right man has to be God-fearing, that is the only attribute I prioritise. When a man is God-fearing, all other attributes fall into place. Every other thing comes with it – He is good, kind, intelligent…That is what my mum taught me.”
Grace Mwai Dating and Marriage
“Kenyans respect and appreciate matters dating and marriage. What are being highlighted about them mostly are the bad things, but there’s the good side to them – which forms a huge slice.
“I have attended many wedding ceremonies, I meet new couples every day, and they are doing well, so dating and marriage is really working. Hata yangu lazima ita-work (Even my marriage will work.”
Grace Mwai Wedding
“(Laughs) harusi tunayo, hatuna? The wedding will happen as soon as I find Mr Right; I will call everyone to the occasion.”
Grace Mwai Children
“I would like to have at least six kids. I love children. They are wonderful, they make the world complete. And then, having six children will allow me and my husband to name them equally after our parents.”
Grace Mwai Education
The Marketing and Business Administration graduate from Mount Kenya University has worked as an administrator at Nyeri a firm before embarking on music and TV presenting. She is a strong proponent of education pursuit and says even if one has ingenious talent, he or she should first seek education.
“In as much as you are talented, you need to do it skillfully. To add on the skills, education teaches someone perseverance. Talent with brains is vital. Going to school is not a waste of time, it will make you a better person; even in the music world, professionalism is appreciated.”
Grace Mwai – Low Self Esteem
“Coming from the village, made me feel inferior. I thought someone ‘better’ should be where I am. The kind of work I do, many a times, I believed was for better educated people, with a lot of money and a big name.
“People view celebrities differently and often believe we should not have our low moments – but we usually have such days.
“My legs I believed looked like sticks, so I would wear pair of trousers and long dresses. Sometimes I feel my neck is just too long! Sometimes I feel like I don’t want to wear any make-up because I think that is what gives people a fake illusion that I am beautiful. I had a rough time to accept that I should be donning make-up.”
As Grace Mwai makes her mark on the gospel scene she hopes that in the future, she will have enough money to start a children’s home for orphans and vulnerable children.
Grace Mwai Contacts and Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/GraceMwaiKenya
Grace Mwai Photo
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