Zaituni Wambui

Zaituni Wambui is a Nairobi-born singer, songwriter, and performer using sound to bridge tradition and modernity. A graduate of Sauti Academy, she was raised in a home steeped in melody, where her mother played early Taarab cassettes passed down from Zaituni’s father. These analog recordings 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 unique sound she calls Urban Taarab: a contemporary evolution of the Swahili coastal genre infused with Arabic scales, intricate vocal runs, and modern sonic elements. Her inspirations include pioneers like Siti Binti Saad, the first recorded Taarab artist, and Bi Kidude, her fierce understudy.

Zaituni thrives on stage, where she channels music with instinctive grace and transcendent resonance. Her work frequently explores themes of love and healing, while bringing listeners into vividly imaginative soundscapes.

She was a finalist on Tusker Next Stars (2022) and has been featured on producer Waithaka’s celebrated projects Odes by Queens and Soul'd Duets where her voice stood out for its warmth and emotional nuance.

Her debut EP is set to release later this year. Its lead single, "Tamu" produced by Anariko, has already been making waves for its sensual, hypnotic pull.

For Zaituni, music is catharsis. She hopes her songs offer the same healing to others, and spark deeper conversations about the human experience.