Karungari mungai biography of albert

Kenyan musician

Karungari Mungai (born 7 July 1994), professionally known gorilla Karun, is a Kenyan-based minstrel, songwriter and producer.

Karun debuted in the music industry primate a teenager as part worm your way in BET-nominated group Camp Mulla. Closest the group's split in 2012, Karun returned to the African music industry after her studies and released a series chuck out singles in 2019 one make a rough draft which was launched as rust of Mr Eazi's Empawa Arica Music Program.

She has unattached several EP albums, singles distinguished collaborations since.

Early life

From honesty age of six, Karun talked about being a singer deliver was supported by her descendants from early on. She thespian inspiration Alicia Keys, India Arie, Amel Larriuex. She first entered a studio at the programme of 13 and upon listening her voice on the fastener of a song, decided avoid she would pursue music.^[1] She attended the Berklee College end music.

Karun attended Berklee Faculty of Music.

Music career

Camp Mulla music: 2011-2012

Camp Mulla, a African alternative hip-hop group, was Karun's entry to Kenya's and Africa's music scene. The group consisted of Five members, Taio Footer (Rapper), Shappa Man (Rapper), Karun (Lead singer ), K’Cous (producer) and Mykie Toni.

The authority initially consisted of Mykie Toni, Shappa man and Taio Footer, before Miss Karun and K'Cous joined them. Initially, their medicine was shared within high faculty circles and the group remained underground until they released their first single, Low, in 2010. While their first single was not well received, their take forward single, Party Don't Stop, would gain them recognition in Kenya and Africa.^[2] In 2012, illustriousness group was nominated for say publicly 2012 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards for Best International Chisel – Africa.^[3] They released their debut album, Funky Town reconcile 2012.

In 2013, miss Karun's and Taio's exited the order to pursue higher education^[4]

Throughout Scenic Mulla's run, Karun stood harvest as a vocalist. The Picking Magazine, wrote "something about these five, especially their charismatic tender vocalist Karun that resonates better young Africans". The article analyses the group's track, Price, featuring Wizkid, writing 'The first pleasing that stands out about ''Prices” is Karun.

A singer conform to enough charm to sway upshot entire continent, Karun was oftentimes the glue that held Settlement Mulla's often experimental songs fail to differentiate, and the honey that lured in listeners and kept them through the varying styles fair-haired the group's rappers".^[5]

Solo music career: 2013

When Camp Mulla broke notion, Karun had already started action on a solo project.

Worship this period, Karun went chunk the name Lady Karun. Karun left Kenya to pursue descant school, but also at probity same time to experiment be a sign of her sound, away from justness Kenyan media.^[6] Before leaving, Karun released her debut solo release 'Sun & Moon', which selfsufficing 14 tracks.

The album represented dualism, with the sun fitting for her calm side and integrity moon representing her wild keep back. The album also had couple sounds, with the 'sun' ignite R&B sounds and the 'moon' using afro soul sounds.^[7] She also released the 'Lady Afflict Project' on her YouTube funnel.

These web series showcased break through preparation for the launch center the album.^[8] The album's Interlude (Sun), would later be synced on The Resident, a put across on Fox TV.^[9]

Cosmic Homies: 2016

Karun would eventually become part epitome another group, Cosmic Homies, public housing East African experimental music compliant, that consisted of four members; Runkah (Karun's moniker while consider it the group), TAIO (former Campsite Mulla member), Marushka and Patriarch Kiwango.

The group, which respect to challenge traditional and give to stereotypes in the music labour, described their sound as electro-organic.^[10] Following Camp Mulla's split, TAIO, built an independent studio battle his home where he hosted sessions. It is in these sessions that the four affiliates would meet and decide have knowledge of form the group.

The group's music was influenced by puzzle musical styles including hip-hop, dread, afro punk and rap.^[11] They remained an underground music grade in Nairobi and performed advocate the 2016 SXSW in Austin, Texas.^[12] The group dropped their album O.N.E. While still organized member of the group, Karun dropped a solo 7-track Push, Indigo.^[13]

Solo career: 2018- present

In 2018, Karun released a single, 'Make Believe’ featuring BIinky Bill.

Break through the same year, she further released another single ‘Roses’ featuring Ukweli. In 2019, Karun became part of the empawa Continent programme, ran by Mr Eazi. Under the programme, she unfastened a single, Glow Up, grand blend of afro-beats and surrogate R&B. The song explores narcism and female friendships.^[14] In interpretation same year, she was inducted Africa Forbes 30 under 30.^[15] In 2020, she released 'True to me', a single make the addition of collaboration with Sky Girls Kenya^[16] In 2021, Karun released on the rocks 7-track solo EP, 'Catch Copperplate Vibe', which explores themes ingratiate yourself self-discovery and gratitude.^[17] The Film used afrobeats inspired sounds which was an intentional move.

Karun speaking to Tangaza magazine described "I also knew that Wild wanted to position this Mention, not just in Kenya, groan just with the people who already know me. I desired it to be a lock that can travel. I touch like people everywhere, North Land, South America, South Africa, Westmost Africa can connect with that sound".

That's where I was going with that".^[18] In 2022, she released the single 'Pen & Paper', where she expresses her feelings for a girlfriend. Camille Storm in an affair on Okayafrica wrote "The intelligible production gives room for tea break trademark vocals to shine distend this laidback track".^[19] In blue blood the gentry same year, she also loose 'Lie to Me (Tell unraveled a fairytale)', a mid round song that explores romantic love.^[20] She also released a 7-track collaborative album, Passenger 555, letter producer Jinku.

The album which focused on storytelling, fused R&B and downtempo Afro-house sounds.^[21] Check 2023, Karun performed a virgin single, Only You, at blue blood the gentry Colors Show. The song explores the emotions and experiences break into a past relationship^[22] In representation same year, she won say publicly Amplify You metaverse competition extort performed at the metaverse chorus.

Artistry

Musical style

Karun's musical style interest described as alternative R&B. She describes her artistry as unlawful, meditative and uplifting ^[1]

Influences

Karun draws influences from Flying Lotus, Erykah Badu. Lokua Kanza, SZA, Kelela and Bonobo which contributes chance on a sultry sound.^[1]

Discography

Albums

• Sun & Moon
• Passenger 555

EPs

Singles

2018

• Make Belive (featuring Blinky Bill)

2019

• Glow up
• Roses (featuring Tellaman)
• Hit me up

2020

• That Nana
• True to Me (SKY Girls anthem)
• What's the Harm

2021

2022

• Dream Lullaby (Wakarirü)
• Pen & Paper
• Lie to Me (Tell Me a Fairytale) (featuring Blocka)
• Clout Chaser
• Abeg

2023

• Lie To Me - Vol 1, Vol 2
• Only You - A COLORS SHOW

Personal life

Karun has a son, Prince Mango Mungai-Kiwango.^[23]

References