Achieng Abura is one of Kenya’s pride in the music scene, unlike many Kenyan artistes who mostly do Hip hop or R n b she is among the few who have excelled in Afro-jazz and Afro-fusion.
Abura’s career is reported to have started at the tender age of 12, while she was still in primary school. She continued honing her music talent through High school (at Kenya high) where she dabbled in gospel music. Upon completion of her Bachelor of science degree in the United states in the 1990's she released her debut gospel album ‘I believe” which saw the start of her successful recording career.She then recorded ‘Way over Yonder, and ‘Sulwe’ at the Blu Zebra Studios, in Nairobi- Kenya.
She redefined herself in 2002 when she released ‘Maisha’ which was an Afro jazz album. Maisha was a historic album not only for Abura but also for Kenya because it was through this album that she was nominated to the Kora Annual music Awards- This was a first for a Kenyan musician- She was nominated for the best East African Artiste Award in 2004 which she shared with Ethiopia’s Tsedenia Gebremarkos. Her next album in 2007 was ‘Dhahabu yangu’ which is dedicated to her son.
Abura’s music is not a force to reckon with only in East Africa but also in other parts of Africa and beyond. She has managed to pull quite a huge fan base in West and Central Africa.Her popularity in the region has seen her album ‘Spirit of a warrior being’ voted for top Afro-jazz releases in francophone.
Abura’s ability to pull the crowd is not only based on the genre of music characterised by the East African beat and spiced with a Jazzy feel, but her powerful voice. She has performed extensively within the East Africa region and beyond.
She performed at Festival Mundial in Tilburg Netherlands in 2007 along other Kenyan female artistes Suzzana Owiyo,Mercy Myra,and Princess Jully in what was dubbed as Divas of the Nile. She also performed in the East-West Cultural exchange cooperation project at the Carnivore, Nairobi and Africa fete Festival in Dakar, Senegal. At this show she performed alongside African music heavy weights like Habib Koite and Saintrick et Tchielly.She has also performed in countries like Tanzania, South Africa, Germany, France, US and Spain.
Abura’s inspiration in music radiates from artistes like Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbullu, Randy Crawford, Patti Labelle,Youssou N’dour and Salif Keita. She has also been instrumental in naturing new talents with artistes like Abbi and Dela who were once her back up singers.
Another first, in 2004 she was awarded Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya by the Kenyan President this being the highest honour to awarded to A Kenyan musician.
Beside music, Abura has worked with various international bodies in empowering the young in music and empowering the girl child.She has also been involved in various environmental campaigns.
Abura is the Good will ambassador for WWF corporate club and UNDP’s millennium development goals.
