Dan Aceda (born Dan Okoth' in Kisumu District in Western Kenya), is a

Kenyan ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

musician, entrepreneur, architect, and actor from

Nairobi Nairobi ( ) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name is derived from the Maasai phrase ''Enkare Nairobi'', which translates to "place of cool waters", a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. The city proper ha ...

. He has recently been recognised by a Kenyan online magazine as having one of the top 10 most iconic male voices in his home country. In 2014 he was nominated to be a part of the Global Accelerator Conference for entrepreneurs organised by the UN Foundation in New York City. He is also a 2013–2014 Global Health Corps fellow

Education

Aceda holds two degrees from the

University of Nairobi , mottoeng = In unity and work , image = Uon emblem.gif , image_size = 210px , caption = Coat of Arms of the University , type = Public , endowment ...

: a bachelor's degree in Architectural Studies attained in 2008 and a bachelor's degree in Architecture attained in 2010. He attende
Strathmore School
where he got his nickname “Chizi” from a close friend Jones Mwenda; and Kilimani Primary School as well as Shadrack Kimalel Primary School.

Awards

Aceda was the recipient of two Kisima Awards garnered in 2008 for Best Male Afro Fusion artiste as well as Songwriter of the year. He was also nominated for the 2011

Kisima Awards The Kisima Music Awards is an annual awards program that recognises musical talent in East Africa. Despite being Kenyan-based the scheme awards artists from a variety of countries, predominantly Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and incorporates a ran ...

in the Best Afro Fusion category. In 2011 he became the first Kenyan musician to perform at the Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi. Prior to this Dan had performed at the 201
SawaSawa Festival
in Nairobi Kenya. He was also a cast member in the 2009 Musica
Mo Faya
that was written by compatriot

Eric Wainaina The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse ''* ain ...

and staged at the 200
New York Musical Theatre Festival.
Previously he was nominated in the 2008 edition of the Groove Awards in the Category of Artiste of the Year

Albums

Aceda has recorded and released four studio albums. ''SULUWE'', his debut album was produced in 2005 by David Blackman Muthami and published by Kijiji Records. The album title is a corruption of a ''Dholuo'' word that means "star". This album featured one of Aceda's most famous song "sanasana". His second album "''Benganology''" was released in 2010. It featured production work by Robert "Rkay" Kamanzi, Chris Adwar, Aaron Rimbui, Tim Rimbui and David Muthami. The album also features the 2009 hit song "''Saida''". The album caused local Kenyan media to label Dan "the crown prince of Benga" in reference to the style of music called

Benga Benga may refer to: Ethnonym * Benga people, an indigenous ethnic group of Equatorial Guinea * Benga language, spoke by the Benga people * Benga music, a genre of music originating in Kenya Places Romania * ''Benga'', the old name of Mo ...

that is indigenous to East Africa and specifically Kenya. Benganology peaked at Number 4 in the iTunes Kenya Chart in 2019. In 2013 Dan Published his 3rd solo studio project titled "'Made in Kenya'". The album was self produced and featured work by Amileena Mwenesi, King Kaka, Monica Obaga, Jimmy Hope (Togo), Chemphe (Ghana), Kavutha Mwanzia and Victor Seii. In 2018 Dan's fourth studio album "'Accelarata'"Was released that featured work by

Avril Avril means April in French and other languages. It may also refer to: Places * Mont Avril, a mountain on the Swiss-Italian border * Avril, Meurthe-et-Moselle, a commune of the Meurthe-et-Moselle département, France People * Avril (name) * ...

Etana Etana (, ''E.TA.NA'') was the probably fictional thirteenth king of the first dynasty of Kish. He is listed in the ''Sumerian King List'' as the successor of Arwium, the son of Mashda, as king of Kish. The list also calls Etana "the shepherd, ...

, Fena, Sage, Proff and Winyo. The album is receiving rave reviews and continues to be among the most popular albums in Kenya.

Collaborations

The two albums feature collaborations with several Kenyan musicians including Eric Wainaina, Wyre, Neema Ntalel, Sanaipei Tande and Kanjii Mbugua. In 2007 Dan featured on the Umoja Pamoja project alongside Suzanna Owiyo, Eric Wainaina, Sara Mitaru, Nyota Ndogo, Neema Ntalel, as well as Karen Lucas. The project was funded by the US Embassy in Nairobi. Aceda was featured on the 2008 Action Aid project alongside Pastor Brian and Tim Rimbui to produce the song "''Lift your hands''". He was also featured on the song "''Colours''" by Joseph Hellon. Aceda featured on Songs by local Rappers Charles Righa and Richard 'A-star' Njau.

Songwriting

Aceda has written songs for several Kenyan musicians including Kanjii Mbugua (''what if, Nanana, Posibo, Mr Money''), Tim Rimbui (''Shamba la Wanyama, Lift your hands''), Joseph Hellon (''Colours''), Atemi Oyungu (''Domestics'') among others. He was also among the writers of the 2006 ''Mavuno Worship Project'' that was published by Kijiji Records in conjunction with Mavuno Church.

Current work

Aceda performs in Nairobi regularly and has created a quarterly event dubbed ''The Affair'' which features fellow musicians Chris Adwar, Jacob Asiyo and Atemi Oyungu. In 2011, Aceda launched the Mabawa Project, a charitable initiative aimed at providing school books for needy children in Kenya.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aceda, Dan chizi Kenyan musicians Kenyan architects 1984 births Living people