Jane Nyambura (1964/1965 – June 29, 2010), better known by her stage name Queen Jane was a Kenyan

benga music Benga is a musical genre, genre of Kenyan popular music. It evolved between the late 1940s and late 1960s, in Kenya's capital city of Nairobi. In the 1940s, the African Broadcasting Service in Nairobi aired a steady stream of soukous, South A ...

ian performing in Kikuyu language. Queen Jane was born in

Kangema Kangema is a settlement in Muranga County, Kenya. It is the birthplace of James Mwangi, the Managing Director, Group Managing Director and CEO, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Equity Group Holdings Limited, the banking conglomerate with the l ...

, Murang'a County. She started her musical career in 1984 as a back up vocalist for Mbiri Young Stars under the band leader Musaimo (Simon Kihara). She formed her own band Queenja Les Les and released her debut album ''Ndorogonye'' in 1991, produced by Lemanco Productions The Standard, July 1, 2010
Chief’s daughter who grew to become Queen
/ref> Her career reached prominence a year later upon the release of her hit song ''Mwendwa KK''.
/ref>Daily Nation, June 30, 2010

/ref> Her other hits include ''Ndutige Kwiyaba'', ''Muici Wa Itura'', ''Muthuri Teenager'' and ''Arume Ni Nyamu''.Capital FM, June 30, 2010

Many of her songs handled social issues. Her last album ''Gikuyu Giitu'' (Our Gikuyu (Language/tribe)) was released in early 2010. Maina David Mithu of Leemax Studio has been one of her producers. She won awards from the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) and Music Composers Association. Her song ''Nduraga Ngwetereire'' (I've been Waiting for You) was released on ''The Rough Guide to the Music of Kenya'' compilation CD. Queen Jane died of

meningitis Meningitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, collectively called the meninges. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Other symptoms include confusion or ...

on June 29, 2010, at St Mary's Hospital in Nairobi after a spell of illness. Her funeral was postponed as her relatives disputed over the place of her burial. She was survived by husband Kariuki Mburu.Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, June 30, 2010
Popular Kenyan musician Queen Jane dies
/ref> Her siblings Ejidiah Wanja (aka Lady Wanja) and Agnes Wangui (Princess Aggie) are also musicians. Kenyan politician John Michuki, who deceased in 2012 was her uncle.

Discography

* Mwendwa KK * Ndutige Kwiyamba * Guka Nindarega * Maheni ti Thiiri * Mwana wa Ndigwa Muici wa Itura * Muthuri Teenager * Arume Ni Nyamu * Arume ni Njegeni * Nduraga Ngwetereire * Cirū Witū * Nyūmba Kīrīrīshwa * Ndīmūnogu * Mwendwa Nyumbūrīra * Nowe Dawa * Twaremire Nderi * Maprofessor

References

{{Authority control 1960s births Year of birth uncertain 2010 deaths 20th-century Kenyan women singers Deaths from meningitis Infectious disease deaths in Kenya Neurological disease deaths in Kenya 21st-century Kenyan women singers