Mr. Googz
Mr. Googz (real name Moffat Omari) is a musician from Kenya.
Biography[edit]
He grew up in Zimmermann, a suburb of Nairobi. He attended Ainsworth Primary School in Eastleigh, Nairobi and later Highway Secondary School.[1] He teamed up with Vinnie Bantonn, thus forming a duo. They joined the Ogopa DJs record label. In 1998 they released the "Wasee (Githurai)" song, which became a national hit in Kenya.[2] The song also featured Mr. Lenny and it was dedicated to Githurai, a suburb on the northeastern outskirts of Nairobi.[3] In 2003, they left Ogopa DJs record label together with Longombas and Deux Vultures and formed their own label, Bad Man Camp.[4]
Mr. Googz parted ways with Vinnie Banton in 2004 as both preferred solo careers.[5] Mr. Googz turned from secular to gospel music in 2005. He released his first gospel album His Love in 2006.[1] He has retained his popularity, even after the switch to gospel.[6]
Awards[edit]
Won:
- Kisima Music Awards - Reggae Artist of the Year [7]
Nominated:
- 2002 Kora Awards - Most Promising Male [8]
- 2007 Kisima Music Awards - Contemporary Gospel [9]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Mwafrika.com: Mr. Googz
- ^ The Standard, Pulse Magazine, April 15, 2009: Broken up by jealousy
- ^ Kimani Njogu & Hervé Maupeu: Songs and politics in Eastern Africa. African Books Collective, 2007 ISBN 9987-449-42-5
- ^ The Standard, February 2, 2009: Musical chairs in production houses
- ^ Broken up by jealousy
- ^ Daily Nation, Buzz Magazine, November 21, 2009: Mr Googz going big
- ^ Binyavanga Wainaina: [https2oo3://books.google.com/books?id=ZMyU8n_fXXsC&pg=PA132&dq=%22mr.+googz%22#v=onepage&q=%22mr.%20googz%22&f=false Kwani? 1] Kwani Archive Online, 2003. ISBN 9966-9836-0-0
- ^ Kora Awards: Nominees 2002 - Most Promising Male
- ^ Kisima Awards nominees 2007 Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine