Ms. Sunshine

EARLY CHILLDHOOD BACKGROUND:

I come from Kenya and I was born and raised in Nairobi. I was born 2 April 1981 on a bright and sunny day in the afternoon and that’s the reason behind the name Achieng’. In my local dhuluo dialect means: a girl who is born when the sun is shining. It only became clearer that I could also use “Ms. Sunshine” as my artist name as it resonates well with my personality and birth names/rights.

I have always been an entertainer since I was very young. As a child I would organize small community dance lessons that I would teach and lead my fellow playmates for recreation and fun. I started to take music more seriously when I was in High school.

During the High school years I also had a Gospel Acapella group: Canaan. Canaan was comprised of 5 girls from High school. During this time I started to develop my music composition and arrangement.

In 2000 I went to Daystar University, Nairobi where I studied Business Administration and Marketing and during my university year’s music took a back seat and I passively self-educated on the different genres and more so concentration on 50’s 60’s 70’s music. At this time I got an exposure to appreciate and learn some of legendary music greatest: Bob Marley and the Wailers, Lucky Dube, Jimi Hendrix, The doors, John Lenon, Etta james, Nina Simone, Franco, Miriam Makeba, Dinah Washington, Pink Floyd, Sting, Elton John, to name just a few who later have so inspired me in writing my music.

MUSICAL CAREER:

In 2010 I moved to Belgium where I am currently based. This is when it was much clear for me to pursue a musical career. At the same time I had just registered my business and develop the Fashion Design Label Mwafrika Designs based in Antwerp. Mwafrika Designs develops contemporary and modern designs using colorful African fabrics for the modern woman. Celebrating the vibrant and dynamic essence of modern African culture through fashion and art.

In 2011 I had my first studio session in Nairobi where I recorded a demo with Herbal records titled: I like the new me. In the same year also begun to book acts and gigs in Cafés in Antwerp together with Arne a guitar player aka “Surfer Bird” covering blues, jazz, rock, and neo soul ballads of which I still do to date.

In September 2012, I started to record my three singles namely:
1.Let it Shine
2.Red umbrella
3.Mke Nyumbani“ Mama Africa” .
The release of the three singles is due the summer of 2013.
The recording was done in Wuppertal, Germany under the production of an Independent producer Mr. Wayne “Wasu” Smith. And Under independent label: Sunny Music Records.

My musical style: is a prime illustration of Neo-Afro Soul, in that it focuses on the contemporary styles of the genres soul and hip hop and reggae and it sends out a deeper message as opposed to common or commercial music. The songs I have recorded so far exemplify my personal take on life. My philosophy features ideologies from my African influences, with fusions from African-centered and Five Percent theologies, the complex views of diverse African cultural theologies and its complex interpretation of such strong cultural beliefs in our modern and evolving African culture. The majority of Ms. Sunshine music is greatly influenced by my beliefs of the Nation of Gods and Earths and my African roots and heritage.
CONTACT INFO: asismusic81@gmail.com