Across languages, across borders
The Kenya years open a chapter of Kiswahili-English fusion. Shine was recorded in 2013 and released in Kenya; a few years later it was remastered and released as Africa Collection. Both offer points of entry into this part of Anouschka’s musical journey.
An editorial introduction based on the artist’s supplied outline. Dates, credits and cross-chapter associations will be confirmed as the original archive is added.
From the artist’s own campaign updatesWhile raising money for the children of Watamu, Anouschka was given an African name: Chadi. It stayed with her - it is the name on the single “CHADI - Dream (Ndoto)” and the name she was billed under on Kenyan radio: “Anouschka aka Chadi”.
The appeal began at Watamu Primary School, 601 students she described as a school where “children go to rot” because it is viewed as too poor and too hopeless. The aim was concrete: build desks so children could sit at a school desk for the first time, and provide uniforms and drinking water.
A carpenter, Gilbert, was hired and took measurements. The first batch of desks - paid for by a donor, Kevin Michael Rabsatt of Germany - filled two classrooms, and her own update described “the sense of order the first seating arrangement ever at the school gave”. The campaign reached its goal.
Other appeals followed the same thread: clothes for at-risk Watamu children, a library youth centre in Kenya, and a further campaign to feed students too poor to eat.
Berlin to Nashville to Nairobi and back again - a collection of songs written in Berlin and Nashville and recorded in Nairobi, Kenya, produced with Teddy B, a Kenyan gospel producer, in a small studio on the outskirts of Nairobi. Made to raise awareness for Kenya’s rich urban pop scene while donations help orphans go to school. A few years later, several of these songs were remastered and released as the Africa Collection.
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The remastered Kenya recordings, released a few years after Shine first came out in Kenya. Full release information is coming soon.
Explore releaseRecorded in 2013 and first released in Kenya, credited on the artwork as Shine (Angaza), produced by House of Dillie and made in Kenya. A few years later it was remastered and released as Africa Collection. Official lyrics are awaiting confirmation.
Award-recognised
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A single by Anouschka. Song details are awaiting confirmation.
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Written from her time volunteering as a field guide in the South African bush. A Song to Save the African Lion. Release details are coming soon.
Explore releaseOpen any release for its official lyrics and listening links. Unprovided material is marked coming soon.
Posted from Nairobi on Anouschka’s Instagram profile.
Read or watch at sourcePosted from Nairobi on Anouschka’s Instagram profile.
Read or watch at sourcePosted from Watamu, Kenya. Anouschka was given the African name Chadi in Watamu while raising money for the children there.
Read or watch at sourcePosted from Watamu, Kenya. Named Chadi and honoured by the teachers at the school with the children.
Read or watch at sourceOfficial video from Anouschka’s YouTube channel.
Read or watch at sourceOfficial video from Anouschka’s YouTube channel. “Chadi” is the African name she was given in Watamu while raising money for the children there.
Read or watch at sourceOfficial video from Anouschka’s YouTube channel.
Read or watch at sourceTelevision appearance, as published on YouTube.
Read or watch at sourceTelevision appearance, as published on YouTube.
Read or watch at sourceTelevision appearance, as published on YouTube.
Read or watch at sourceTelevision appearance, as published on YouTube.
Read or watch at source
Billed as “Anouschka aka Chadi” on Hot 96 All Time Hits: The Take Off, presented by Coco Soboo Moto with music by VJ Ace, 1pm-3pm Monday to Friday - heard across Mombasa, Kisumu, Nairobi, Nakuru and Nyeri.
From the artist’s archive
Studio visit during the 2019 Kenya media tour, photographed in the Hot 96 booth with the presenter.
From the artist’s archive
Television interview on Ebru Television, broadcast under the caption “Talking with Anouschka”.
From the artist’s archiveRooftop acoustic performance and interview session with KenyaBuzz - movies, events and lifestyle coverage.
Photographed from the KBC broadcast with the hashtag #MahanjamKBC; the recording itself is still to be supplied.
Coming soonSinging and playing guitar in front of the 10 over 10 show’s portrait backdrop; the recording itself is still to be supplied.
Coming soon
Interview on Citizen Radio in Kenya, 2014, as kept in the artist’s own archive.
From the artist’s archiveInterview on Msweto East Africa in Kenya, 2014, as kept in the artist’s own archive.
From the artist’s archiveInterview on Milele FM in Kenya, 2014, as kept in the artist’s own archive.
From the artist’s archiveTelevision appearance on the Kenyan Artist Show, 2018, as kept in the artist’s own archive.
Coming soonTelevision appearance on the Kenyan Artist Show on the Kenyan Broadcasting Corporation, 2014, as kept in the artist’s own archive.
Coming soon“My songs from Kenya are not just written for me, they are written for the world.” - feature on the Kenya years and the single “Shine”, as kept in the artist’s own archive.
Anouschka’s journey to East Africa inspires her latest release ‘Shine’ and sets the stage for ‘Hey Day’.
Coverage from the Kenya years, held as a clipping in the artist’s archive.
“Last year, I was watching a beggar in the streets and I thought, those people have a light. Why are they so invisible, and why do we close our eyes to such people? They just want to shine too.”
“Chadi is an international recording artist who has been infusing styles for many years. In 2013 she added Kiswahili and East African musical elements to her repertoire. The name Chadi was given to her.”
“Focused on crossing borders and pushing limits, Anouschka releases new single ‘SHINE’. A Swedish American artist with an amazing view of the world, Anouschka is a musician like no other.”
“Multi-talented and award winning Swedish-American artiste Anouschka has released the visuals to her latest single ‘SHINE’. The audio was produced by Dillie of House of Dillie.” Anouschka is the creator of the Swanglish style - Kiswahili and English sung as one.
“Swedish-American singer Anouschka is set to perform at the showcase in France through EMG (Entertainment Music Group, Canada) and release new songs in the USA.”
Written answers to People Daily on studying political science, Dying to Be Free, Shine, Kenya versus the US industry, awards and advice to new artists. Kept in her own words; spelling lightly tidied.
