Queen Jane (musician)

Jane Nyambura (1964/1965 – June 29, 2010), better known by her stage name Queen Jane was a Kenyan benga musician performing in Kikuyu language.

Queen Jane
Birth nameJane Nyambura
Born1964/1965
Kangema, Murang'a County
DiedJune 29, 2010
Nairobi
Genresbenga music

Queen Jane was born in Kangema, Murang'a County. She started her musical career in 1984 as a back up vocalist for Mbiri Young Stars under the band leader Musaimo (Simon Kihara). She formed her own band Queenja Les Les and released her debut album Ndorogonye in 1991, produced by Lemanco Productions [1]

Her career reached prominence a year later upon the release of her hit song Mwendwa KK.[2][3] Her other hits include Ndutige Kwiyaba, Muici Wa Itura, Muthuri Teenager and Arume Ni Nyamu.[4] Many of her songs handled social issues.[5]

Her last album Gikuyu Giitu (Our Gikuyu (Language/tribe)) was released in early 2010.[1] Maina David Mithu of Leemax Studio has been one of her producers.[6]

She won awards from the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) and Music Composers Association.[2] Her song Nduraga Ngwetereire (I've been Waiting for You) was released on The Rough Guide to the Music of Kenya compilation CD.[2]

Queen Jane died of meningitis[1] on June 29, 2010, at St Mary's Hospital in Nairobi after a spell of illness.[4] Her funeral was postponed as her relatives disputed over the place of her burial.[7]

She was survived by husband Kariuki Mburu.[8] Her siblings Ejidiah Wanja (aka Lady Wanja) and Agnes Wangui (Princess Aggie) are also musicians.[3] Kenyan politician John Michuki, who deceased in 2012 was her uncle.[1]

Discography
  • Mwendwa KK
  • Ndutige Kwiyamba
  • Guka Nindarega
  • Maheni ti Thiiri
  • Mwana wa Ndigwa Muici wa Itura
  • Muthuri Teenager
  • Arume Ni Nyamu
  • Arume ni Njegeni
  • Nduraga Ngwetereire
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References
  1. The Standard, July 1, 2010: Chief’s daughter who grew to become Queen
  2. The Rough Guide to the Music of Kenya - CD notes
  3. Daily Nation, June 30, 2010: Popular singer Queen Jane dies
  4. Capital FM, June 30, 2010: Kenyan musician Queen Jane is dead Archived July 2, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Kimani Njogu & Hervé Maupeu: Songs and Politics in Eastern Africa. African Books Collective, 2007. ISBN 9987-449-42-5
  6. The Standard, June 19, 2010: Producer Maina has made many Luo artistes stars Archived March 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  7. Daily Nation, July 7, 2010: Queen Jane burial stopped over row
  8. Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, June 30, 2010: Popular Kenyan musician Queen Jane dies
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