Daddy V
November 21, 2009
The streets of Nairobi nicknamed him the “ghetto superstar” because he never hit the charts or radio waves but even the kids recognized him as he did his neighborhood rounds. Daddy V’s first live show was at Lipps disco in Nairobi when he was 13 years old. Soon after, he made Nairobi’s Florida 2000 club his home. He was a regular performer at the club’s talent shows popularly know as Jam session. This is where Nairobi’s underground artists converged to showcase their talent. 
In 1997, Daddy V won the coveted talent show, which gave him even more credence on the streets. However, because he could not afford studio time, he never recorded any of his music. Daddy V continued performing as an underground artist until he moved to the United States. His style of music is a fusion of dancehall (ragga) and African rhythms. Daddy V’s first CD, NARE, was released in May of 2008 under the Kilimanjaro Records label.
Since then, Daddy V has performed around the United States and released two music videos. The first video was for the song NARE and the second one was for MAHOOKS. Nare was also one of the sound tracks for the movie MALOONED released in Kenya. Daddy V is set to embark on his first world tour in the summer of 2010.
DOWNLOAD DADDY V’S CD “NARE” ON ITUNES
DOWNLOAD DADDY V’S CD “NARE” ON ITUNES
Daddy V-His Dream Is Becoming A Reality in America
June 9, 2009
This is our 13th edition of our continuing series of Kenyan Artists in the Diaspora. The featured artist this week is Daddy V.
Although Daddy V started performing at the tender age of 13, competed in burn-out sessions with Kenyan legends such as Hardstone and won the coveted Florida 2000 Club Jam Session award, he never went on to record any of his music in Kenya. Ask him why and he will answer you with one word. Money. He simply could not afford it.
Moving to the United States has accorded him the opportunity he only dreamed of. Daddy V, who is now based in Dallas, Texas, released his maiden single NARE and his test CD IN 2008. He also released the NARE VIDEO directed by Michael Wanguhu of Hip Hop Colony fame. The full version of the NARE (fire) CD is set to be released this summer.
The release of NARE and its growing popularity has made Daddy V one of the most sought after Kenyan artists based in the Diaspora. He performed at the Memorial Day Weekend festivities in Dallas, Texas alongside Jabali Afrika and Dynammq and is booked for three shows back to back during the upcoming 4th of July weekend. He performs in Dallas on Friday, June 3rd and then New Jersey alongside Redsan for the Jersey 254 event on Saturday, July 4th. He will be in Kansas City, MO on Sunday, July 6th. After that, Daddy V says he plans to hit Canada and Europe before the end of the summer. In December, he is headed to Kenya and says he will perform his first show in Buruburu, Nairobi, in respect of the place where he grew up and for the folks who supported him when he was a nobody.
Daddy V’s music is a mix of Dancehall reggae and African rhythms. You can sample and buy the NARE CD HERE. It is also available for download on iTunes.
ARTIST “DADDY V” TALKS MUSIC
May 13, 2008
Daddy V began rapping at the young age of ten back home in Kenya. Through his teenage years he performed in various music competitions, always landing at the top. After graduating from high school, Daddy V got the opportunity to record a few of his songs, but due to some set backs the music went unreleased. Disappointed, Daddy V decided to take a short break from music with the hopes that things would somehow work out and he could later on pursue his passion. Shortly after, he moved to the States and hooked up with a friend who owned a recording studio.
The opportunity to continue his dream had arisen. While working on one of his songs, ‘Nare’, which unbeknownst to him would become a hit, he met founder of Kilimanjaro Records George Ndege, and together they embarked on the journey that has led to the birth of an album fittingly titled ‘NARE’.
Daddy V has performed in different states promoting his music, though his most recent concert during Memorial Weekend in Dallas was a stand out performance. He recalls how honored he was to have the opportunity to share the same mic as Ritchie Spice who was one of the artists in the concert, as well as famous Kenyan artist and childhood acquaintance, Jua Kali.
Having seen Daddy V in concert in Minnesota, I will attest to his performances being energy filled, with catchy beats and tunes. His style of music is a mix of various genres like Reggae, Ragga and Genge, a style of Kenyan music. His new CD comprises of a number of collaborations with other artists like Wachera with whom he has done a number of songs and Innocent, a Tanzanian Reggae artist who resides in Minnesota.
The album is dedicated to his dad, who has always been a big inspiration and fan. Daddy V hopes to tour different parts of the world, Kenya included, where the song ‘Nare’ has aired in radio stations and was also used as a soundtrack in the movie, ‘Malooned’, which was released last year.
Daddy V is scheduled to perform in Minnesota at the Cabooze on August 30th, where he hopes to officially release his debut album.
VIDEO OF DADDY LIVE AT THE CABOOZE IN MINNEAPOLIS
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