Elsy Wameyo

Elsy Wameyo, also known as ELSY, is a Kenyan Australian singer-songwriter and rapper, whose style ranges from hip hop to the fusion of traditional African music with contemporary rap and R&B. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Wameyo was awarded Young Kenyan of the Year in 2018, and won People's Choice Best Hip Hop Award at the annual South Australian Music Awards in 2019. Her first studio album, Saints Sinner, was released in July 2024.

Early life Wameyo was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and migrated to Australia with her family in 2006, when she was seven years old.

Music career Wameyo has performed at Laneway and Groovin' the Moo festivals, and was a featured artist with triple j Unearthed. As of 2019 she was signed with the independent record label created by her mentor, Gabriel Akon, aka DyspOra, Playback 808,

Her work is informed by her strong belief in God, and she sees her talent as a gift from God. In 2019 she did not feel her African roots to be a huge influence on her music, but the response to her music in Kenya was enthusiastic when Akon took samples there. and in 2022 she cited Kendrick Lamar, Little Simz and Ludwig Göransson (who composed the music for the film Black Panther (film) as her biggest musical influences. Both singles received positive reviews. It also explores the concept of "home" for African Australians.

She was studying full-time at university as of 2019, and also singing in her church.

She performed at WOMADelaide in March 2022.

Her first EP, Nilotic was released on 1 April 2022, featuring the singles "River Nile" and "Nilotic", and four other tracks. ) is more overtly political, addressing issues of culture, race and police brutality. She mentioned Ota Benga, Trayvon Martin and George Floyd as part of her inspiration for the track.

Her single "River Nile" is featured in the mobile football video game EFootball 24 as one of the in-game soundtracks.

In May 2024, Wameyo announced her debut studio album Saint Sinner would be released on 26 July 2024. The album, which was co-produced with Wuod Omollo and Polycarp Otieno, includes collaborations with musicians in the rural Naivasha region of Kenya as well as Nairobi singer Okello Max. The styles range from Afrobeat to the fusion of traditional African musical styles with contemporary rap and R&B.

Discography Albums + List of albums, with selected details Title Details Saint Sinner Released: 26 July 2024 2018 "Daily" "Outcast" 2019 "Pastor" 2020 "Never There" "Time Flies" 2021 "Nilotic" 2023 "Sinner" 2024 Saint Sinner "Piny Lara" "Umva" "Size Four" 2025 "Wameyo" Wameyo "Crash Out"

As featured artist Year Title Album 2018 "Seven" "Open Wide" AustrAlien 2020 "Long Road"

Awards and nominations 2018: Winner, Young Kenyan of the Year at the Kenyan Association of South Australia (KASA) 2021: Winner, Carclew Creative Achievement Award at the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards - SA

AIR Awards The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Best Independent Hip Hop Album or EP

J Awards The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005. 2022 Elsy Wameyo Unearthed Artist of the Year South Australian Music Awards The South Australian Music Awards, also known as SA Music Awards, commonly SAM Awards, formerly Fowler's Live Music Awards (FLMA), are annual awards that exist to recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the South Australian contemporary music industry.

Best New Artist

Best World Music 2019 Elsy Wameyo People's Choice Hip Hop Award