Paul Nunda (JuaCali)

NAME: Paul Nunda
GENDER: Male
AGE: 29
BIRTHDAY: 12th September 1979
SIGN: Sagittarius
BIRTH PLACE: Nairobi, Kenya
STAGE NAME: Jua Cali
JOB: Artist
GENRE: Genge
RECORD LABEL: Calif Records
BASE: Nairobi, Kenya


 
Biography
The humble and down to earth Paul Nunda was born on 12th September 1979. He was raised in California estate that is in Eastland area, Nairobi. Though he was not seriously involved in music, he started rapping when he was still a student at Jamhuri High School. After his O levels in1998, he got actively involved in music. After seeing how progressive it would be to uplift music in Kenya, which was yet to be fully appreciated, he hooked up with his childhood friend Clement Clemo Rapudo to start Calif Records in the year 2000.

Awards / Recognitions

• MOBO Awards (2007) - 'African song of the Year 2007'
• Kisima Awards (2005) - 'Artist of the Year' 'Song of the Year' for Kamata Dame'
• Chaguo Le Teenies Awards (Various since 2004)

Career
Initially, he was a producer alongside Clemo. They looked for artists who had the potential to make it in music but all was in vain. Nobody thought it could be a successful project and so very few people were interested. It was then that pressure from Clemo and a few friends forced him to pick up the microphone, and so in early 2001, Juacali the artist was born. With the studio being in California estate, started by youths from the same estate, Juacali simply means Discover California estate. By then, the estate was not known much to be in existence but the studio has clearly changed that. He released his first song Ruka, a dedication to Calif Records. Although, local Music at the time was poorly received, the song managed to top the local charts.

In 2003 he did a collabo with other artists such as CMB Prezzo e.t.c. to do the hit song vile tafanya. In the early 2004, the genge hardcore rapper released his third single,Nikipotea tena, which again become a major hit. This was a major opening in his career as a rapper as shows started flowing in and everywhere he went everyone would praise him for the unique-ness in his talent. He led in all charts and his name stuck in the hearts of his fans that were increasing everyday. In mid 2004, he was featured by Flexx in the hit Nyundo, which was nominated for several awards such as Kisima awards, Chaguo la teenies e.t.c. Later that year he hooked up with Pilipili to do a hit party joint Kamata dame. The song drove fans crazy and led the charts locally and even gave a few shows abroad e.g. Genge tour in 12 US states, London, Dubai e.t.c. It became a big boost to the artists and the studio in general. Up to date, it plays in every route matatu, media and no club session can end without it being played. It also won several awards in 2005.

After the “Kumikumi” incident that took place in Ukambani where several people died of taking too much of the illicit brew, he got creative to educate people and in the mid 2005, he released one of his hottest songs to date Kiasi alongside Sanita, an upcoming lady singer and songwriter. He also released, JUACALISEKTA the mini album in the same year. In the early 2006, he performed in London alongside Pilipili and came back to release his current hit song Bidii yangu featuring Mahatma which is still very popular. Respected for his humble and down to earth attitude, Juacali has inspired many and is aiming higher every minute. Besides helping many upcoming recording artists, he has now released JUACALISEKTA the full album and was set to release NGELI YA GENGE the album early 2007. He has also introduced JUACALI COLLECTION clothing line which produces t-shirts and other attires for sale. With such achievements, we arguably state that Juacali is the king of genge. He later on released the single "Kwaheri" featuring Sanaipei Tande (formerly of the Coca Cola Popstars group SEMA) which can arguably be said to be his greatest hit so far in his career. The song which is a mix of Taarab music from the East Africa coast with genge was initially regetted by FM station in Kenya but they were later forced to play it due to overwhelming demand from listeners and became the biggest hit song in Kenya in 2007.

Due to the massive success of "Kwaheri" Jua Cali's schedule has been pack with him receveing a nomination from the annual MOBO awards in the UK from 'African song of the Year 2007', performing in several concerts in the USA and UK plus a major endorsment by the Motorola mobile phone company and most recently performing at the Karibu and Kwaheri concerts in the USA.