Catherine Wangui Wambui (born June 1998), popularly known by her polynym Wambui Katee, is a Kenyan singer-songwriter, recording and performing artist.
As a singer, she is popularly known for her cover songs Suh Different, Kainama, Toast and The One among many others.
Biography and Career
Early life
Wambui Katee was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya to Annie Njoroge, a singer and songwriter. She is a first born in a family of three.
In her tender ages, her mother introduced her to music evident through her backup vocals in her mother’s songs and has also featured in some videos.
Education
Kate attended Kerugoya Good Shepherd Primary and later Kerugoya Girls Secondary School where she cleared high school in 2016. It is in this early education life that here love for art and music was discovered and natured.
Immediately after high school, she joined Kenyatta University undertaking diploma in business communication while at the same time undertaking an accounting class “CPA” at KCA. However, she did not get to complete the courses due to the love she had for music and the entertainment industry in general.
Career
Due to passion in becoming a model, she joined Aftermath Modelling Agency where she featured in several modelling shows such as aftermath media opening show and Shiroyalty designs; showcasing modelling show.
She also had a drive in acting and in 2017, she auditioned in several shows and secured a chance in several agencies where she acted set books. Her golden act is when she featured as an extra for Google ad for South Africa.
After quitting school, Wambui Katee took a short Barista Course at Rockbern Academy and became a professional Barista with skills in making high quality coffee from farm to the cup. Being a talented and professional barista, she secured a job at Que Pasa Restaurant Karen.
Music Breakthrough
During her free time while working as a Barista, she started recording particularly song covers. Her breakthrough came when she released Patoranking’s Suh Different (November, 2018) which currently has more than 1.2M views. She became the talk of the town, then the nation and currently she is ranked as the best female cover musician in the entire East Africa. Due to the exhibited talent and love from the fans, she was crowned the title “Queen of Covers.”
Following this breakthrough, she released other hit covers such as kainama originally done by Harmonize, Burna Boy and Diamond Platnumz, Koffe’s Toast,
Early in 2019, she decided to record original songs and through immense support from Mzazi Willy Tuva she released the first single “Mahabuba,” the song did very well and there was nothing but love from her fans. She currently has three original songs Mahabuba, You and Vixen.
Mohammad Swaleh Mwapinda is a Kenyan artist and songwriter from Mombasa.Third born in a family of six children
Don Maleen
Born
Mohammad Swaleh Mwapinda
31 December 1999 (age 24)
Mombasa, Kenya
Other names
Wa zainah
S.O.S
Pinda
Millennium
Occupation
Musician
Years active
2020–present
Spouse
Single
Parent
Swaleh Omar Swaleh
Musical career
Genres
Secular Musicpopsoul
Instrument(s)
Vocals
Early life
edit
Mohammad Swaleh Mwapinda was born to Mr. and Mrs.Swaleh in December 1999 in Mombasa. His father was a driver, while his mother, was a teacher until 2009, Mohammad started school at Ng’ombeni primary school later did K.C.P.E at Maji safi primary school.He then went to Kaya Tiwi High School for high school level but then due to financial constrain shifted to Hekima High School and did his K.C.S.E.
Career
edit
His first hit was “Nitasubiri”. His major breakthrough came in 2020. He later co-authored his first collabo “Swaiba” with Fisherman, which was a reflection of his personal history, depicting his struggles and giving himself a renewed hope that God had brought him to the limelight. His was then participated in a talent searching contest “Inua Msanii” by kubwa studio which gave him a chance to be featured by the most streamed hip-hop artist in Mombasa”Kaa La Moto” song being “Nyara Nyara” which was in his album “Leso Ya Mekatilili”
In 2021 was his first time aired by Msenangu Fm by “Sister Shaniz & Teddy Mwanamgambo” Vocal Arena and that was after the Inua Msanii contest.
When you think about Kenyan hip hop, the names that usually comes to mind are Khaligraph, Octopizzo and lately, Wakadinali.
However, it seems like we are on the brink of something fresh. New voices are popping up, but there is one voice that is like a wave, its changing things and shaking the industry, I am talking about Toxic Lyrikali. His name might be new to some, but his music hits hard with stories that feel like they come straight from Nairobi’s Eastlando; the grit, the grind, and the dreams all rolled into one.
Today, we are unpacking what the story of Toxic has, just like we did with the Amazing story of Zzero Sufuri, I believe todays story pia itakushika😂
So who exactly is Toxic Lyrikali? Where does his music come from, and why has he become such a voice for the youth of Kayole and beyond? Excuse yourself to a lonely place, and let’s take a walk through his journey; a story of hustle, honesty, and building something bigger than just music.
From Eastlands to the Mic: Toxic Lyrikali
Toxic Lyrikali wasn’t always destined for the music stage. Born and raised in Kayole, one of Nairobi’s toughest neighborhoods, his first love was football. Like many kids from his area, he dreamed of making it on the pitch. But high school brought a change. The rhythm of rap pulled him away from the field and into the studio.
Since he started in 2022, his sound has been deeply rooted in the realities of Eastlands life showing the struggles, the hopes, and the raw, unfiltered truth of growing up there. His lyrics don’t sugarcoat anything. They paint vivid pictures of hardship but also capture the spirit of a community that refuses to give up.
A Voice That Breaks Through
If you were around in 2024, you’d have felt the impact of his breakout single, “Thugnificent.” The track slowly grew viral, fueled by TikTok creators who related to its story and energy. Before long, the music video racked up over a million views on YouTube, a milestone that still feels huge in the Kenyan music world.
But Toxic Lyrikali didn’t stop there. He followed up with “Cartman” and then “Chinje,” which blew up even bigger, todays Chinje has over 6 million views and counting. The video for “Chinje,” with its raw imagery and edgy tone, sparked debate, but it was exactly this realness that drew people in.
Jam to Chinje as we continue with the story of Toxic Lyrikali
More Than Just Music: Building Mboka Doba
One thing that sets Toxic Lyrikali apart is his vision beyond being a solo artist. Through his label, Mboka Doba which translates loosely to “money from music” in Sheng’ he’s creating a space for dancers, photographers, and other creatives from his neighborhood to thrive. It’s not just about him; it’s about lifting a whole community of young artists.
In interviews, he’s clear about this mission. “Kenye nimekuja kufanya tofauti ni kusupportiana kama mayouth,” he said, emphasizing the power of teamwork and community. For Toxic, music is just one piece of a bigger puzzle.
Nyashinski Co-signing Toxic Lyrikali’s Song “Cartman”
One major boost for Toxic Lyrikali came when Nyashinski, one of Kenya’s hip hop legends, co-signed his song “Cartman.” For those who know the industry, a co-sign from Nyashinski is like a strong vote of confidence. It showed that established artists are recognizing Toxic’s talent and gave his music even more credibility. That kind of support not only helps bring his music to new ears but also signals that Toxic is a serious player in the Kenyan hip hop scene.
So what does co signing mean?
In music, the term Co-signing means the public endorsement of another artist by an established artist or industry figure. It’s essentially a vouching for the talent or potential of another artist, often to a wider audience.
So When Nyashinski co-signs Toxic Lyrikali’s song “Cartman,” it means he’s publicly giving his stamp of approval to the track. Nyashinski is a respected heavyweight in Kenyan hip hop, so his support carries a lot of weight. By endorsing “Cartman,” he’s signaling to his fans and the wider music community that Toxic Lyrikali is an artist worth paying attention to. This kind of backing can open doors for Toxic, helping boost his credibility and reach. It’s a powerful nod from one established artist to a rising star, and it highlights how the Kenyan hip hop scene continues to support and uplift new talent.
Staying Real in a Flashy Industry
In a world where many artists chase glitz and glamour, Toxic Lyrikali stays grounded. His videos are shot in the streets where he grew up, often with his close crew by his side. It’s a raw look at the life he knows no fancy sets, no flashy distractions, chinje is the example, I just dropped the link for you above. This honesty resonates with Nairobi’s youth, who see him as a genuine voice for their realities.
He’s also open about the challenges that come with the grind. Fame is new but he keeps his feet on the ground, knowing his story is still being written.
Concluding: The Future of Toxic Lyrikali
Toxic Lyrikali’s journey is just getting started. His rise in 2024 signaled a shift in Kenyan hip hop scene, one that blends storytelling with street authenticity. With more singles and potential collaborations on the way, he’s poised to keep pushing boundaries and inspiring a new generation.
So next time you hear a track from Toxic Lyrikali, remember it’s more than music. It’s the sound of Kayole’s hustle, Nairobi’s struggles, and the spirit of a young artist who’s putting his whole neighborhood on his back.
When we talk about beauty, we’re not just talking about a pretty face. We mean presence, confidence, glow, and that it factor that makes heads turn. These women have it all, and that’s why they’ve earned a spot on our exclusive list of Kenya’s most beautiful women in 2025. 1. Azziad Nasenya Azziad is not […]
We have also made some typo errors and sent money to the people we did not intend. In the past, you had to call safaricom for a reversal and chances were most likely you will lose the money. However, in the recent past, Safaricom made some changes which has helped many Kenyans from losing their […]
Vera Sidika is undeniably the goddess of beauty. It is challenging for many ladies to mantain the glow she had during the entire 9 months pregnancy period. Vera Sidika's Photos During Pregnancy Vera Sidika's Photos After Pregnancy Who could think that Vera will be looking this stunning just a few months after giving birth to […]
In the list of Top 10 most beautiful women in Kenya, it will be a 'crime' not to include Kibanja's name. But, for those who dont know, Who is Kibanja? Summary Name: Agnes Chebet Kiplenge (aka Kibanja) Nationality: Kenyan Roles: Influencer, model, entrepreneur (Banjizzle Cosmetics, Sweet Scentske) Social Media: Instagram influencer with ~270k followers Recent […]
Brianna Francisco has been a model since when she finished high school. Currently, she has more than 1.2 million followers on Instagram. She is a Jamaican & Honduran. BIRTHDAY April 10, 1988 BIRTHPLACE Boston, MA AGE 33 years old BIRTH SIGN Aries The model has been featured in major songs such as T.I.'s Soulja Boy's "Bird Walk “Big […]
Mistakenly sending money to the wrong till or paybill number on M-Pesa is more common than you think. And when it happens, it can be frustrating—especially if the amount is significant. The good news? Safaricom has made it easier to reverse such transactions in just a few steps. What To Do If You Send Money […]
A deep dive into Toxic Lyrikali’s rise in Kenyan hip hop, exploring his roots in Kayole, his storytelling style, viral hits like “Chinje,” and how he’s building a creative movement with Mboka Doba.
