In the entertainment world, it’s not often that a young teenager can step into the limelight and shine brightly, but that’s exactly what Zaria Njeri is doing.
At only 12 years old, the gifted singer is making waves as a musical champion and emerging as the next influential voice of her generation, following in the footsteps of hyped rapper Trio Mio who also started at a young age.
Zaria Njeri was only three years old when she started showing interest in music. Her mother, Michelle Wawery knew how to nurture the budding talent.
Waweru, popularly known as Mish, she started to encourage Zaria to sing more at school and church at Sunday School.
Teachers also noticed her talent and confidence, so she would be picked for different roles such as leading the National Anthemdiromg assembly, and offer her musical prowess during school plays among others.
“Zaria started by mimicking big musicians such as Whitney Houston. She would also sing nursery rhymes and Sunday school songs for us in the house. However, I thought this was a childhood passion she would outgrow it,” the mother of two recalls.
She went:
“One day, she came and told me, ‘Mummy let’s go to the studio. I want to release a song.’ But I felt she was still too young to venture into music professionally. However, I urged her to continue writing, so that one day she would record and release those songs.”
That was 2 years ago.
Now, the young singer has two songs and an EP on the way later this year after officially debuting her career in 2022.
Her debut song, “I Can Do It All” is all about thanksgiving, as she thanks God for her many talents and having discovered them early enough.
Early this month, Zaira dropped “Ngoja Ripoti” a fun melody inspired by gospel Amapiano and urges its listener to always wait for God’s answer.
Speaking about the new single Zaria said, “My inspiration is always from what God has done in my life. I wanted a happy song that my friends and I could dance and vibe to for God. Its (the song) for everybody really.”
The music video, shot on the streets of Nairobi, at the Railway Museum and at an art gallery, definitely showcases the “happy” danceable vibe Njeri was going for. The single was executive produced by Mimi Mish and Vicki Pon Dis.
According to her mum, music is just one of spaces she loves, but has several other talents.
“Music brought her to the limelight, but apart from singing, she’s also a sprinter. She’s the fastest runner in her grade. She is also a fast swimmer,” says her mum.
“Academically, last term she was awarded as the Best Academic excellent student. She also does acting gigs for her school not forgetting she is the forward in football. She’s the one who scores. She is also a painter and works well with canvas and her family and friends have benefited a lot from this gift. All this has earned her medals and trophies.”
