Zaituni Wambui

Zaituni Wambui is a singer, songwriter, and performer using sound to bridge tradition
and modernity. A Sauti Academy alum, she grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, in a household
steeped in melody; her mother played early Taarab cassettes passed down from her
father. These cassettes, from an era before keyboards and synths, carried the raw
essence of Swahili rhythm and drums, imprinting deeply on her artistic sensibilities
years later.
In 2018, Zaituni committed to music as a career, crafting a sound she describes as
Urban Taarab, a contemporary evolution of the Swahili coastal genre, enriched with
Arabic scales, intricate vocal runs, and trills. Her inspirations trace back to the
legendary Siti binti Saad, the first ever recorded Taarab singer and feminist trailblazer,
as well as Bi Kidude, her fearless understudy.
Performance is at the heart of Zaituni’s artistry; on stage, she feels completely in
sync with the universe, allowing music to flow through her with childlike instinct and
transcendent resonance. Love is a recurring motif in her work, explored through an
intuitive, sensitive, and vividly imaginative lens that brings listeners into emotionally
vivid soundscapes.
Zaituni was a finalist on Tusker Next Stars in 2022, a milestone that spotlighted her
unique voice and vision. She has also been featured on producer Waithaka’s
acclaimed albums Odes by Queens and Soul’d Duets, where her vocals stood out for
their warmth and emotional nuance.
Her debut EP is set to release later this year, and its latest single, Tamu, produced by
Anariko, has already been making waves for its sensual, hypnotic magnetism.
For Zaituni, music is catharsis. It has been her sanctuary in moments of healing, and
she hopes her songs offer the same solace to others. More than just personal