Draft:Lil Maina
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Lil Maina | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jeremy Maina |
| Born | 20 April 2002 Mombasa, Kenya |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | Phauria Management |
Jeremy Maina (born 20 April 2002), known professionally as Lil Maina, is a Kenyan musician, comedian, and content creator. He is known for his work in the Genge, hip hop, and dancehall genres. Maina initially gained recognition through comedy skits on Instagram and TikTok, often featuring his grandparents, before transitioning to music. His single "Kishash" (2022) was the most streamed song on Spotify in Kenya that year, according to reports.[1] He released his debut album, Maisha Ya Stunna, in 2023 and won the Male Artiste of the Year award at the TUKO.co.ke Entertainment Awards in 2024.[2]
Early life
[edit]Jeremy Maina was born on 20 April 2002 in Mombasa, Kenya. He completed his secondary education in Mombasa, earning a B- grade in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maina moved to Nairobi to live with his grandparents. His mother resides in the United States, and he has visited her there on multiple occasions.[3]
Career
[edit]2018–2021: Comedy and early music
[edit]Maina began creating content in 2018, posting comedy skits on Instagram and TikTok while still in high school.[4] His videos, often featuring his grandparents, gained significant attention in Kenya. In 2021, he released his first music video, "Stretchmarks Kwa Haga", marking his entry into the music industry.
2022–present: Music career
[edit]In 2022, Maina released "Kishash", a single that became the most streamed song on Spotify in Kenya that year and accumulated over 2 million views on YouTube.[1] The song is credited with contributing to a revival of the Genge genre.[5] He has cited influences including Kenyan artist Mejja and international figures Lil Wayne and Vybz Kartel.[1]
On 13 December 2023, Maina released his debut album, Maisha Ya Stunna, under Phauria Management, featuring ten tracks with collaborations from artists such as YBW Smith, Scar Mkadinali, and Trio Mio.[6] The album was dedicated to his late grandfather, who passed away in 2023.[7]
In 2024, Maina received the Male Artiste of the Year award at the TUKO.co.ke Entertainment Awards.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Maina's grandparents have been prominent in his comedy skits, contributing to his public image. The death of his grandfather in 2023 was noted in media reports as a significant personal event.[7] As of 2025, he has described himself as single and has discussed taking breaks from social media for mental health reasons.[1]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Maisha Ya Stunna |
|
Singles
[edit]| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | "Stretchmarks Kwa Haga" | Non-album singles |
| 2022 | "Kishash" | |
| "Kinare" | ||
| "WANJAPI 2" | ||
| "Kumewaka (Remix)" | ||
| "Kanzu" | ||
| "Tonight - Remix" | ||
| "NAKAM SAII" | ||
| "SHIKISHA" | ||
| "DANSKI (KE) Alert" | ||
| "Nothing I'm Doing" (with Kahush) | ||
| 2023 | "Saa Sita" (featuring YBW Smith and Danski) | Maisha Ya Stunna |
| "Cocoa Butter" (featuring Danski) | ||
| "Alert" | ||
| "Ma G Kwenye Klabu" (featuring Scar Mkadinali) | ||
| "Doba Imewai" (featuring Trio Mio) | ||
| "Fom after Fom" | ||
| "Company" (featuring NJERI) | ||
| "Sinzia" (featuring Caleb Awiti) | ||
| "Zoza" (featuring Buruklyn Boyz) | ||
| 2024 | "Lifeline" (featuring Spinx Mafia) | Maisha Ya Stunna |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | TUKO.co.ke Entertainment Awards | Male Artiste of the Year | Won | [2] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "LIL MAINA Interview". Deeds Magazine. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "TUKO.co.ke Entertainment Awards 2024 Winners". TUKO.co.ke. 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Lil Maina Gives an Update on His Life After Relocating to the US". Mpasho. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Meet Kenya's Viral Sensation Lil Maina". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Lil Maina Biography". Kelxfy. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Maisha Ya Stunna Album Review". Wakilisha. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Lil Maina Reveals the Loss of Grandfather". Capital FM. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2025.