Eric Wainaina (born 28 August 1973) is a Kenyan Kora Award-winning singer-s… Read Full Bio ↴Eric Wainaina (born 28 August 1973) is a Kenyan Kora Award-winning singer-songwriter whose career was launched with his debut album, Sawa Sawa, in 2001. Wainaina's music is a blend of Kenyan Benga rhythm and East African guitars, with some modern harmony.
Wainaina first stepped into the world of music with Five Alive, a gospel a cappella group. Five Alive consisted of Victor Seii, Bob Kioko, Chris Kamau, and David Mageria, who was replaced by Joe Kiragu. They drew their musical influence from Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Take 6. Dominating Kenya's airwaves in 1995, Five Alive released their debut album ‘Five Alive’ in 1996, and even went on to tour Europe the same year. His experience with the group convinced Wainaina to pursue a professional career in music. In 1996 he performed and appeared in the video for Get in the Driver’s Seat, a song commissioned by the United Nations Drug Control Programme for a highly successful anti-drug campaign spanning 20 countries. This not only set the stage for his eventual emergence as a solo artist, but also got him into the social concern and activism that characterizes much of his music
When the group disbanded in 1997, Wainaina went on to join the Berklee College of Music in Boston—USA, from which he graduated with a degree in Music, majoring in Songwriting and Record Engineering. He graduated with honours.
During his years at Berklee, Wainaina and his band traveled to different parts of the country to perform, as well as holding regular shows in Boston. Together with his producer, Christian Kaufmann, he worked to produce a sound that would be distinctively Kenyan both in the music and the content of the lyrics. In order to do this, he made sure that he released a new track every time he returned home for vacation, This was well received by his growing fanbase, with his performance at Kenya's 'Beats of the Season’ concert in December 2000 being watched live by 15,000 fans and broadcast nationally.
His notable releases include 'Kenya Only', a song that instantly made him Kenya's favourite modern musician. After the 1998 terrorist bombing in Nairobi where over 200 Kenyans lost their lives, 'Kenya Only' was adopted as the unofficial song of mourning, receiving extensive radio and TV airplay nation-wide. His adaptation of a Kikuyu folk tune 'Ritwa Riaku' was added to the playlist of every radio station in the nation soon after.
Wainaina returned to the top of Kenya's musical agenda after he released 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo' (‘Land of Small Things’ in Kiswahili)[refers to small bribes that once were required to get the most ordinary things done] in 2001, a song that launched his crusade against rampant corruption in the country. With the chart success of 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo', Wainaina received international accolades. Transparency International (Kenya) supported him as an artist who would help educate people on the negativity of corruption, appointing him an ambassador. He was also appointed Ambassador for the NGO MS Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission and by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights for his commitment to fighting the abuses to justice through music. This anthem against corruption (Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo) was not so highly appreciated in all quarters, however, with the government of the day putting up resistance to it by refusing to air it on the national broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. In one instance several attempts were made to keep him from performing at a national event, the Kenya Music Festival, including intimidation and attempts to switch off his microphone.
Following the suspicious death of Father Anthony Kaiser in 2003 , Wainaina was commissioned by the Mill Hill Fathers to write a song about this. This became Ukweli, a call for justice despite efforts that were being made to cover up the true nature of Father Kaiser’s death, which was reported as suicide despite strong evidence to the contrary.
In 2001, Africa Almanac.com listed him amongst the top 100 Africans of the year 2000, which included high profile names such as Nelson Mandela, Joseph Kabila, Yash Pal Ghai, Baaba Maal and Ousmane Sembène. His first record, Sawa Sawa, released in 2001, remains one of the highest-selling solo albums in the country.
Wainaina returned home from Berklee in August 2002 after his graduation with two degrees. He was also honored with the Jack Maher award for his exceptional performance as a songwriter. The annual award is given to students who have been recognized for their potential to become leaders in the international music industry.
Wainaina's music receives international appeal. He received the MNET (South Africa) award for favourite male vocalist in February 2001, and was one of the first Kenyans to receive an award for Best East African Artist at the pan-African 7th Annual KORA All Africa Music Awards on 2nd November 2002. He is also the only Kenyan artist to have performed live at the KORA ceremony. He was nominated for another KORA Award in 2003, and in 2005 he received his third Kora nomination, this time for the prestigious Artist of the Decade award.
In 2002, he played at the launch of the International Criminal Court at the UN Headquarters in New York, presided over by Kofi Annan. He has toured in Switzerland for 4 consecutive years and has performed at Holland’s Festival Mundial (2003) as well as Harare International Festival of the Arts(HIFA) (2003), receiving outstanding reviews for both performances. He also performed at the 2004 Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar, a celebration of East African Music.
In December 2004 Wainaina premiered a 21- song musical theatre piece, “Lwanda, Man of Stone”, based on a local folk story. One of the first of its kind in Kenya, the show ran for a hugely successful theatre season, and a concert version of the same show continues to be performed at major cultural events. A contemporary adaptation of this musical, 'Lwanda-A Ghetto Story" had a very successful run at the GoDown Arts Centre, Nairobi, in December 2006. Plans are underway to find a permanent home for 'Lwanda' in Nairobi.
Together with Mumbi Kaigwa and Andrea Kalima, Eric co-wrote and arranged the music for Kigezi Ndoto, a Kenyan play written and directed by Kaigwa, which went on tour in Europe under the auspices of the World Theatre Music Festival- 2006. He has also written the music for Owen & Mzee, an upcoming documentary about the touching story of an unusual friendship between a tortoise and a baby hippo at the Kenyan coast. This documentary is based on a best-selling children’s book by the same name.
Wainaina was involved in the 2006 launch of Kenya’s National Civic Education Program (NCEP II), Uraia, which aims at fostering a mature political culture in Kenya: a culture in which citizens are able to exercise their rights and responsibilities—and to participate effectively in the broadening of democracy. Wainaina also performed at the inaugural Nairobi-hosted North Sea Jazz Festival in February 2006, and at the Holland-based version of the same in July 2006.
December 2006 saw the release of "Twende, Twende", his second solo album. At the 2007 Kisima Music Awards Wainaina won three categories: Afro-fusion, best song and best video from Kenya [1]. He was among 100 most influential Kenyans as selected by The Standard newspaper in August 2007
Wainaina first stepped into the world of music with Five Alive, a gospel a cappella group. Five Alive consisted of Victor Seii, Bob Kioko, Chris Kamau, and David Mageria, who was replaced by Joe Kiragu. They drew their musical influence from Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Take 6. Dominating Kenya's airwaves in 1995, Five Alive released their debut album ‘Five Alive’ in 1996, and even went on to tour Europe the same year. His experience with the group convinced Wainaina to pursue a professional career in music. In 1996 he performed and appeared in the video for Get in the Driver’s Seat, a song commissioned by the United Nations Drug Control Programme for a highly successful anti-drug campaign spanning 20 countries. This not only set the stage for his eventual emergence as a solo artist, but also got him into the social concern and activism that characterizes much of his music
When the group disbanded in 1997, Wainaina went on to join the Berklee College of Music in Boston—USA, from which he graduated with a degree in Music, majoring in Songwriting and Record Engineering. He graduated with honours.
During his years at Berklee, Wainaina and his band traveled to different parts of the country to perform, as well as holding regular shows in Boston. Together with his producer, Christian Kaufmann, he worked to produce a sound that would be distinctively Kenyan both in the music and the content of the lyrics. In order to do this, he made sure that he released a new track every time he returned home for vacation, This was well received by his growing fanbase, with his performance at Kenya's 'Beats of the Season’ concert in December 2000 being watched live by 15,000 fans and broadcast nationally.
His notable releases include 'Kenya Only', a song that instantly made him Kenya's favourite modern musician. After the 1998 terrorist bombing in Nairobi where over 200 Kenyans lost their lives, 'Kenya Only' was adopted as the unofficial song of mourning, receiving extensive radio and TV airplay nation-wide. His adaptation of a Kikuyu folk tune 'Ritwa Riaku' was added to the playlist of every radio station in the nation soon after.
Wainaina returned to the top of Kenya's musical agenda after he released 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo' (‘Land of Small Things’ in Kiswahili)[refers to small bribes that once were required to get the most ordinary things done] in 2001, a song that launched his crusade against rampant corruption in the country. With the chart success of 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo', Wainaina received international accolades. Transparency International (Kenya) supported him as an artist who would help educate people on the negativity of corruption, appointing him an ambassador. He was also appointed Ambassador for the NGO MS Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission and by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights for his commitment to fighting the abuses to justice through music. This anthem against corruption (Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo) was not so highly appreciated in all quarters, however, with the government of the day putting up resistance to it by refusing to air it on the national broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. In one instance several attempts were made to keep him from performing at a national event, the Kenya Music Festival, including intimidation and attempts to switch off his microphone.
Following the suspicious death of Father Anthony Kaiser in 2003 , Wainaina was commissioned by the Mill Hill Fathers to write a song about this. This became Ukweli, a call for justice despite efforts that were being made to cover up the true nature of Father Kaiser’s death, which was reported as suicide despite strong evidence to the contrary.
In 2001, Africa Almanac.com listed him amongst the top 100 Africans of the year 2000, which included high profile names such as Nelson Mandela, Joseph Kabila, Yash Pal Ghai, Baaba Maal and Ousmane Sembène. His first record, Sawa Sawa, released in 2001, remains one of the highest-selling solo albums in the country.
Wainaina returned home from Berklee in August 2002 after his graduation with two degrees. He was also honored with the Jack Maher award for his exceptional performance as a songwriter. The annual award is given to students who have been recognized for their potential to become leaders in the international music industry.
Wainaina's music receives international appeal. He received the MNET (South Africa) award for favourite male vocalist in February 2001, and was one of the first Kenyans to receive an award for Best East African Artist at the pan-African 7th Annual KORA All Africa Music Awards on 2nd November 2002. He is also the only Kenyan artist to have performed live at the KORA ceremony. He was nominated for another KORA Award in 2003, and in 2005 he received his third Kora nomination, this time for the prestigious Artist of the Decade award.
In 2002, he played at the launch of the International Criminal Court at the UN Headquarters in New York, presided over by Kofi Annan. He has toured in Switzerland for 4 consecutive years and has performed at Holland’s Festival Mundial (2003) as well as Harare International Festival of the Arts(HIFA) (2003), receiving outstanding reviews for both performances. He also performed at the 2004 Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar, a celebration of East African Music.
In December 2004 Wainaina premiered a 21- song musical theatre piece, “Lwanda, Man of Stone”, based on a local folk story. One of the first of its kind in Kenya, the show ran for a hugely successful theatre season, and a concert version of the same show continues to be performed at major cultural events. A contemporary adaptation of this musical, 'Lwanda-A Ghetto Story" had a very successful run at the GoDown Arts Centre, Nairobi, in December 2006. Plans are underway to find a permanent home for 'Lwanda' in Nairobi.
Together with Mumbi Kaigwa and Andrea Kalima, Eric co-wrote and arranged the music for Kigezi Ndoto, a Kenyan play written and directed by Kaigwa, which went on tour in Europe under the auspices of the World Theatre Music Festival- 2006. He has also written the music for Owen & Mzee, an upcoming documentary about the touching story of an unusual friendship between a tortoise and a baby hippo at the Kenyan coast. This documentary is based on a best-selling children’s book by the same name.
Wainaina was involved in the 2006 launch of Kenya’s National Civic Education Program (NCEP II), Uraia, which aims at fostering a mature political culture in Kenya: a culture in which citizens are able to exercise their rights and responsibilities—and to participate effectively in the broadening of democracy. Wainaina also performed at the inaugural Nairobi-hosted North Sea Jazz Festival in February 2006, and at the Holland-based version of the same in July 2006.
December 2006 saw the release of "Twende, Twende", his second solo album. At the 2007 Kisima Music Awards Wainaina won three categories: Afro-fusion, best song and best video from Kenya [1]. He was among 100 most influential Kenyans as selected by The Standard newspaper in August 2007
Long Time Coming
Eric Wainaina Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Long Time Coming' by these artists:
3 and Twenty It's been a long time coming Long time coming But I know…
A-F-R-O Hi my name is TRINI, nice to meet yuh You should…
A-F-R-O Marco Polo Shylow They say nothingness is bliss But I can't help but think Tha…
Aloe Blacc I was born by the river In a little tent Just like…
Anna Waronker It's been a long time coming, coming And I've spent a…
Anthony Green Things start slowing down for you and I It's been a…
avelino I saw the vision and I stayed focused Remain focus, the…
Balto Been coming for a long, long time Oh did you say…
Bobby Digital Band It's been a long time coming Days, days are turning to…
Brown And Blue Love will abide, take things in stride Sounds like good advi…
Bruce Springsteen & Seeger Session Band Out where the creek turns shallow and sandy And the…
Bump & Flex It's been a long time since we hang around last…
C-Money If today was not an endless highway If tonight was not…
C.Hayes Times are hard and the money's tight Day to day we…
Caitlyn Smith Sometimes it feels like I'm dying Like it's gone black and…
Cee-Lo & Jazze Pha My brown eyes, two pools of mud Resting in two dark…
Cheap Trick I'm in the middle of something And it sure feels good It…
Cities & Coasts You ever set a goal and didn't hit it Timeline changed…
D-Shaw Yeah, uh, yeah, aye uh, WesLi D uh Yeah, hm Been a long…
David & The Giants Should have never used the phone Got to do this on…
David Phelps Will somebody please tell me How did I end up in…
David Sneddon Should have never used the phone Got to do this on…
Delays Tore it up and walked away Why'd you wanna go…
EOB A lonely city girl Looks out into her world Lost in every…
Europe We're gonna rock so hard, we're gonna let it go…
Foghat Just a boy of seventeen Left school to chase a dream Hard…
Future Yeah, ay Yeah (Wen 안녕) Yeah, ay, 我們不談街上的卦, uh 給你多少篇幅裝不下, ay,…
Gary Porter It's been a long time coming It's finally arrived now Invit…
Hi-Field Just kiss me once, then kiss me twice Then kiss me…
Humanzi You spinned a long time, come on but I feel…
J Get on the beat and I lock in like Master I…
J. Henry Yeah it's been a long time coming Never thought it'd take…
J.J. Muggler Band Yeah it's been a long time coming Never thought it'd take…
James Leela I was warmed by the river In a little tent. Oh, just…
James Oliver Everybody wants to be loved, Every once in a while. We all…
Jazze Pha & Cee-Lo My brown eyes, two pools of mud Resting in two dark…
Jonny Lang Yeah it's been a long time coming Never thought it'd take…
Julian Bach What can I say? I got it my way I wanted to…
Kaasi Gonna be long time coming Gonna be long time coming Gonna be…
Lecrae Feat. Swoope I've been treating this part of life like a dance…
Leela James I was warmed by the river In a little tent. Oh, just…
Lil' Wayne Back door, back room, young nigga still switchin' Young nigg…
Littles I think that my fight has gone out The light in…
Lynn Miles I remember how the sky looked On the first day…
Machine Gun Kelly It's been a long time coming now (long time coming…
Maria Mena Your patronizing stare can watch me heal. What I would…
Miles Lynn I remember how the sky looked On the first day…
Mo3 It's been a long time coming Long time coming But I know…
Morganisation Ring-a-Ling-a-Ling goes the bell That Ring-a-Ling-a-Ling I k…
Nicki Minaj feat. Ransom Whoa (mmm) Oh, yeah, mm (Sycamore) (kyuh) Patty-cake, patt…
Oliver James Everybody wants to be loved Every once in a while We all…
Oloye Coldman Oh yeah yeah Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Started this whole…
One Morning in August Darkness so bright that I had to find light We had…
One Night Only Waking up from another daydream Like it goes so alone again …
P-Rob A new nigga with a old soul Bringing rap back like…
PJ Harvey In my coat of many colours I'm waiting for my child I'm…
Poor J. Brown Love will abide, take things in stride Sounds like good advi…
R.Z.A. It's been a long time coming Days, days are turning to…
Ready For The World I was wondering how you're feeling I thought I saw you…
Rik Kaez Father raised me wisely I am his black sheep son Our minds…
Rubyhorse Climbing up the same walls been climbing up for years but …
Ruiner 6 months from the day I wrote any of these…
RZA It's been a long time coming Days, days are turning to…
Saints of Valory Try laughing until life starts to make sense Try falling ap…
Sara Douga If I were a desperado out in West Texas I’d…
Shane Nicholson Out where the creek turn shallow and sandy And the moon…
Smokie Didn't want it baby Never going crazy I'm a worried mind. …
T.J. Brown Yeah it's been a long time coming Never thought it'd take…
Terri Hendrix Tell me you need me And I will understand Because I've seen…
The Alleys I know I can deal with you It's been a long…
The Delays Tore it up and walked away Why'd you wanna go…
The Odd 910 How can I believe in you If I don′t believe in…
The Roots ft Peedi Crakk [Chorus] Oooh It's been a long time Since I been back around…
The U.N. Hi my name is TRINI, nice to meet yuh You should…
The Zutons Long time coming But no one seen it coming Long gone then An…
TOB Duke All prays to the most highest, he keep blessin′ me Say…
Toni Childs It'll be a long time coming It's part of life I…
Trixie Whitley This time from april to may A blade of fire pressing…
Whitaker Way out here the stars shine brighter than white I can…
Wild-Boy Everybody probably thinks I'm crazy But I'm unaware of anybo…
Y&T I don't rock no Gucci bitch I hit the block just…
Zutons (The) Long time coming But no one seen it coming Long gone then …
בלקן ביט בוקס Well it's been a long time comin' You can hear the…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Eric Wainaina:
Adhiambo Umoja ni fahari yetu Undugu ndio nguvu Chuki na ukabila H…
Brand New Day See people that I've never met As I walk in San…
Daima Umoja ni fahari yetu Undugu ndio nguvu Chuki na ukabila Hatu…
Dek Dek Dek In a made up language In a made up time I met…
Don't Bury Me Nilikukosea nini ukanichukia Nilikukosea nini ukanichukia …
Dunia Ina Mambo Shetani akamwuliza Mtakatifu Petero Umewahi kuangalia huko c…
Fancy Car Mr. Politician, it's good to see you again It's been so long…
Fly Away Together Can we fly away together? Tell no one don't leave a…
Found Me a Lover She wears gym clothes on a Monday She says her prayers…
Fungeni Macho Tulifunga macho kuomba Tuliibiwa ardhi Bendera ya Mungu ilip…
Hallelujah People His voice is a fist he's used to raising But when…
Hii Ngoma Hii ngoma ni ya babangu Wimbo ni wa mzee wangu Ye hupenda…
Hold Me Down I surrender This isn't love it's torture Done being champion…
Impossible It's not easy loving you I get this feeling that this…
Isn't It Funny Isn't it funny Isn't it strange I wanted to love you then Yo…
Joka Kutoka Kwale, hadi Kampala Mwendo wa joka siyo haraka Kutoka…
Mabawa Siku za mwizi ni arobaini Na mchumba wangu amenitoroka Alini…
Mariana mariana mariana, nimechoka kusota nimeamua leo ni leo, nitab…
Mashaka I believe the struggles going to end someday Then I will…
Miili Yetu Tuchezecheze kama mwali wa moto Tusongesonge kama miti kwa u…
Nani Nani Nani mjinga Nani mjinga Basi, nani mjinga Nani mjinga Haki,…
Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo Mzee alisema hakuna cha bure huo msemo tunautafsiri kinyume …
Now That's a Fire Smoking cigarettes and drinking some wine We're checking out…
Okay Hey hey hey hey! Its not the same since you run…
On Fire Smoking cigarettes and drinking some wine We're checking out…
Other People's Lives You live and you learn you can't please everybody Infact the…
Rain On You How do you lead the match when it just rains…
Ritwa Riaku Ndendire kurio ni nyamu mwendwa ngwetereire Ndendire kurio n…
Sawa Sawa I wake up early in the morning And hear the birds…
Selina Selina Nyambok, you′re so beautiful Sitamruhusu akuchape Nam…
Tabasamu Sioni wala sisikii Penzi lako lanitia wazimu Nishike mkono w…
Talk About You Don't talk about no history Don't talk about geography Talk …
Too Far from Home When I lie next to you Under this silver moon I'm as…
Twende Twende Bongo thinas Bongo thinas Zunguka Zunguzuka neni Kuja nami …
Want You Want You How can you wear that When you know I'm feeling this We've…
Who Is to Blame? The policemen are taking position The students are looking f…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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