Kwame’s path as an artist began after the death of his father in 2001. Overwhelmed with grief, he found refuge in creative expression. Art became a way for him to cope with his loss, marking the start of a deep emotional and cultural connection to his work.

"Art gave me a voice when I had none, a way to heal and to speak up for those who couldn’t."

In 2010 Kwame was one of several artists in Nairobi who collaborated on the Majuto project that recorded music to promote good health for all Kenyans. With his single Holela: which means 'careless' - an animated movie addressing issues surrounding the spread of HIV. The song Holela was selected as the overall theme of the collaborative album. ITFL animator Nancy Ellis of tvandweb.co.uk decided on a hand drawn style of animation, illustrating a variety of different characters who are either directly affected by HIV or taking precautions to avoid it. The goal was to promote empowerment for both women and men concerning issues regarding safe sex, and to address directly the awkwardness that is often felt around the subject of using protection during sex - giving a positive.

Kwame teamed up with ACORD Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development in a commissioned song, Stop The Stigma: A song about denouncing different forms of stigma against minorities (ethnic minorities, people living with HIV, sexual minorities, refugees, displaced people and to bring about change at all levels - family and friends, society and Government institutions. Kwame was among the delegates who attended the ICASA CONFERENCE in Ethiopia. His performance at the conference bridged the gap and paved way for broader approach of how trauma and Stigma affected the society.

“Music has the power to confront, heal, and inspire action.”

A decade later, Kwame’s career took a pivotal turn when he composed a tribute song for the late Professor Wangarî Maathai, Kenyan social, environmental, and political activist who founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. In 2004 she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The song, titled “Mama Wa Taifa,” resonated with national audiences and became an anthem promoting environmental conservation, reinforcing Maathai’s legacy. This moment gave Kwame a sense of duty to use his music for social advocacy.

In 2013, Kwame’s growing recognition led to a commission from Kenya’s Office of the First Lady, Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta, to compose a national song for World AIDS Day. The success of this composition catapulted him into the continental spotlight, leading to an invitation by Gabon’s President, Ali Bongo to a strategic workshop on African music curriculum alongside renowned artists like Akon from Senegal and Davido of Nigeria amongst other African creative representatives held at Berkeley Institute of Music. This event marked Kwame’s entry into the broader African music scene. During this trip, Kwame encountered a cultural clash with some Gabonese brothers over language differences. When challenged for not speaking French, he responded in Gîkûyû, an African language, which deepened his pride in African heritage. This experience ignited a quest for him to embrace and advocate for African indigenous languages, laying the groundwork for future projects centered on Pan-African unity.

Kwame’s newfound cultural identity led him to found Tŭrî A Mŭmbi, an initiative aimed at preserving and promoting African culture and history through music and the arts. His focus on cultural advocacy became a core theme in his artistic pursuits.

In November 2017, Kwame released “Mwene Nyaga,” a song that quickly gained widespread popularity across Kenya and beyond. Rooted in spiritual and cultural themes, the song became an anthem for unity among the Gîkûyû Nation and other Nations from Kenya and around the African continent and beyond and was embraced by audiences at political rallies, cultural festivals, and other public gatherings. The song’s message of togetherness and its celebration of African identity made it a cultural touchstone, amassing millions of views on YouTube and establishing Kwame as a leading voice in African Spirituality music.

“Our roots run deep, and through music, we can reconnect to who we are as Africans.”

Following the success of Macegera, Gîkŭyŭ, a song that Kwame featured his eldest son, Rîgîi wa Njŭe, and Mwene Nyaga,” Kwame received the Cafè Ngoma-African Fusion Artist of the Year Award in 2020, recognizing his unique blend of traditional, spirituality and modern African music.

That same year, he founded National Kimathi Day, in celebration of the birth date of Mau Mau Freedom Fighter and Spiritual Leader, Field Marshall, Kîmathi wa Waciŭri together with the hero’s family, officiated by Madam Wanjŭgŭ Evelyn, the Field Marshall’s daughter, marking the first national recognition of his legacy.

Kwame accepted an invitation by the Tumaini Festival Founder and President, Menes La Plume at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp, in Malawi. A humanitarian event that brought together 50,000 attendees, and hosts over 50,000 refugees from five African nations. His performance highlighted the power of music to foster intercultural harmony and uplift marginalized communities.

In 2023, Kwame had the honor of performing “Mwene Nyaga” at the state funeral of Mŭkami Kîmathi, widow of Field Marshall Dedan Kîmathi wa Waciŭri, a revered Spiritual and Freedom Leader in Kenya’s Mau Mau Independence Movement. The song’s historical and spiritual significance, tied to Kenya’s liberation struggle, made this performance deeply meaningful, further solidifying Kwame’s place as a cultural figure in Kenya and beyond.

By 2024, Kwame’s contributions to African music and cultural advocacy were recognized with the invitation to perform at the Lifetime Achievement Award, an event by The Diaspora Association Alliance – USA. This honor cemented his legacy as a key figure in the preservation and promotion of African music, language, culture, and identity.

Kwame’s journey underscores the transformative power of music. From personal loss to global recognition, he has used his art to heal, unite, and inspire, shaping his legacy as a champion of African culture and a voice for social change. My journey is far from over. Through art, we can heal, grow, and remember where we come from.