Athieno
African-Infused Urban Music
AUDIO
VIDEO
IMAGES
BIO
Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Athieno (formerly known as annieSoul) is an artist on a mission to showcase Africa’s diversity, creativity and intellect through song. She is a performing singer/songwriter, pianist, music producer and audio engineer who has skillfully and creatively fused her musical influences in R&B, Jazz, Funk, Hip-Hop, Gospel and African music into her African-infused urban music. Athieno has been described as a "passionate singer... with undeniably original sounds and uplifting messages," Dig Boston. She began singing as a toddler and was performing by the time she was two years old. Growing up in a musical household in the heart of an African city, Athieno was exposed to a myriad of cultures and music traditions. Her love for fusing the various musical styles (Western and African) that coloured her upbringing was evident by the time she began writing and recording her music as a teenager. Athieno has the ability to unite story and song, weaving multiple languages and instrumental colours into her African-infused urban sound. Her poetic gift for setting a scene earned her a spot as a finalist in the 2013 International Songwriting Competition with her song “Sukuma Wiki." In 2016, Athieno released her highly anticipated album "IaM", which "instantly positioned itself as a strong contender for the best Kenyan album of 2016" Bottomline Kenya.
Press
"IaM instantly positions itself as a strong contender for the best Kenyan album of 2016. It is a compact offering packed with awesomeness from beginning to end. It manages to explore complex, personal themes and convey a range of emotions through simple, accommodating lyrics" - Bottomline Kenya.
"Breathtaking virtuosity on the piano... it's hard not to fall in love with her music." Jazz Symphonic
"Your quintessential African fusion artist. Numerous musical genres and influences ooze out of her songs, softly kneaded and layered together to leave just enough room for one final fundamental ingredient – a unique signature sound which combines her arresting vocals and her deceptively simple songwriting." Bottomline Kenya.
Art that is at its core honest, cosmopolitan and inventive," The Birn.
"Athieno fuses traditional African beats and modern sounds to create a perfect infusion of urban music with lyrics that are not anything close to simplistic." AfroWay.
"Passionate singer... with undeniably original sounds and uplifting messages," Dig Boston.
"Swahili-laden, socially-conscious neo-soul," The Boston Globe.
ACHIEVEMENTS
"Muamuzi" hits no. 10 on Bottomline Kenya's best Kenyan songs of 2016. Source
"IaM" was Healthy Woman's album of the month (December 2016). Source
"IaM" gets an 8.1 rating from Bottomline Kenya (October 2016). Source
I finally released my album "IaM" (April 2016).
Finalist in the 2013 International Songwriting competition in World Music category with "Sukuma Wiki". Source
Our cover of the Kenyan National Anthem hits 100k views on YouTube. Source
First Kenyan to perform at the Africa Festival of Boston (July 2012). Source
CALENDAR
CONTACT
Athieno
iamathieno@gmail.com