Cyn2547: Creating biography for Kenyan artist/entrepreneur Rajville. Sourced via National Dailies (The Standard, The Star), National TV (NTV, DSTV), and international music journals (Music in Africa)

2026-03-31T16:41:04Z

Creating biography for Kenyan artist/entrepreneur Rajville. Sourced via National Dailies (The Standard, The Star), National TV (NTV, DSTV), and international music journals (Music in Africa)

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:41, 31 March 2026
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	~~Cynthia Chege <cynthiachege2000@gmail.com>~~
	~~19:34 (0 minutes ago)~~
	~~to me~~

	{{Infobox musical artist		{{Infobox musical artist
	\| name = Rajville		\| name = Rajville

Cyn2547: Creating biography for Kenyan artist/entrepreneur Rajville. Sourced via National Dailies (The Standard, The Star), National TV (NTV, DSTV), and international music journals (Music in Africa)

2026-03-31T16:39:28Z

Creating biography for Kenyan artist/entrepreneur Rajville. Sourced via National Dailies (The Standard, The Star), National TV (NTV, DSTV), and international music journals (Music in Africa)

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Cyn2547: Created page with "{{Infobox musical artist | name = Rajville | image = | caption = | birth_name = Rajiv Okemwa | alias = Raj, Raj Kenya | born = {{birth year and age|1993}} | origin = Nairobi, Kenya | education = University of Nairobi (BA Economics, 2016) | occupation = {{hlist|Executive producer|entrepreneur|rapper}} | years_active = 2013–2026 | website = {{URL|https://mbeatz.org}} }} '''Rajville''' (born '''Rajiv Okemwa'''; c. 1993), formerly known as '''Raj''' or '''Raj Keny..."

2026-03-31T15:56:55Z

Created page with "{{Infobox musical artist | name = Rajville | image = | caption = | birth_name = Rajiv Okemwa | alias = Raj, Raj Kenya | born = {{birth year and age|1993}} | origin = Nairobi, Kenya | education = University of Nairobi (BA Economics, 2016) | occupation = {{hlist|Executive producer|entrepreneur|rapper}} | years_active = 2013–2026 | website = {{URL|https://mbeatz.org}} }} '''Rajville''' (born '''Rajiv Okemwa'''; c. 1993), formerly known as '''Raj''' or '''Raj Keny..."

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{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Rajville
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Rajiv Okemwa
| alias = Raj, Raj Kenya
| born = {{birth year and age|1993}}
| origin = [[Nairobi]], Kenya
| education = [[University of Nairobi]] (BA Economics, 2016)
| occupation = {{hlist|Executive producer|entrepreneur|rapper}}
| years_active = 2013–2026
| website = {{URL|https://mbeatz.org}}
}}

'''Rajville''' (born '''Rajiv Okemwa'''; c. 1993), formerly known as '''Raj''' or '''Raj Kenya''', is a Kenyan executive producer, entrepreneur, and retired recording artist. He is widely credited as a pioneer of blending [[Ekegusii]], [[Swahili language|Swahili]], and English within hip-hop, often referred to as "Ndizi Flow" or Gusii rap.<ref name="Tuko2022">{{cite news |last=Osoro |first=William |date=December 29, 2022 |title=Embarambamba's antics: Support from renowned Kisii rapper Raj |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/488741-embarambambas-antics-support-renowned-kisii-rapper-raj-hope-brings-light/ |work=[[Tuko.co.ke]] |access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref> Beyond his performing career, he is the founder and CEO of the independent label MusicBank and the creative production lab LaiinLabs.

== Early life and education ==
Rajiv Okemwa was born and raised in Kenya. He attended [[Friends School Kamusinga]], a prestigious national school in [[Bungoma County]]. He later enrolled at the [[University of Nairobi]], where he graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics.<ref name="MusicInAfrica">{{cite web |title=Raj Bio |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/raj |website=Music in Africa |access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref> His educational background significantly informed his transition from a recording artist to a creative entrepreneur handling the business operations of his own label.<ref name="Standard2012">{{cite news |title=Voices from the Dark |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000071268/voices-from-the-dark |work=[[The Standard (Kenya)|The Standard]] |access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref>

== Career ==
=== Rise to prominence and "Ndizi Flow" ===
Rajville began his music career in the early 2010s under the stage name Raj. He gained national recognition with the release of the hit single "Obe Baba," which popularized his signature style of mixing Ekegusii lyrics with urban hip-hop production.<ref name="MusicInAfrica"/> In 2016, his rising influence led him to be ranked among the top 10 Kenyan hip-hop artists of the year by industry critics.<ref name="Aipate">{{cite web |title=The Ultimate Top 10 Kenyan Hip Hop Musicians of 2016 |url=https://aipate.com/2016/08/02/top-10-kenyan-hip-hop-arti-of-2016/ |website=Aipate |date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref>

Between 2016 and 2020, he gained a reputation for high productivity through his signature weekly project, "#BaeTuesday." Season 1 ran for 21 weeks in 2016, and Season 2 ran for 43 consecutive weeks from 2019 to 2020, with a new track or collaboration released every Tuesday.<ref name="Soundcity">{{cite web |title=Victoria Kimani gets an incredible feature on Rajville's 'Igo Remix' |url=https://soundcity.tv/victoria-kimani-gets-an-incredible-feature-on-rajvilles-igo-remix/ |website=Soundcity TV |access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref>

In 2017, his track "Sawa Sawa" achieved international reach after being featured as a soundtrack for the Toronto Raptors' "Basketball Without Borders Africa" program.<ref name="Tuko2022"/>

=== Collaborations and industry independence ===
Throughout his career, Rajville collaborated with several of Africa's most prominent artists, including:
* '''Stella Mwangi (STL):''' Featured on the "Obe Baba" Remix.
* '''Victoria Kimani:''' Featured on the "Igo Remix" off his project work in 2019.<ref name="Soundcity"/>
* '''Khaligraph Jones:''' Collaborated on the track "Nobody."
* He has also worked with Boutross, Benzema, Fena Gitu, and Wangechi.<ref name="Tuko2022"/><ref name="MusicInAfrica"/>

In 2019, Rajville notably declined a multi-million shilling record deal from a major label to maintain full creative and financial independence.<ref name="StandardNgina">{{cite news |title=Rapper serenades Ngina months after Chinese's love confession |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/article/2001340064/rapper-serenades-ngina-months-after-chinese-s-love-confession |work=[[The Standard (Kenya)|The Standard]] |access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref>

=== Rebranding and retirement ===
In the early 2020s, he transitioned to the moniker Rajville and released the ''Mekatilili'' EP (2022). The EP, named after Giriama legend Mekatilili wa Menza, featured a cross-genre fusion of Rhumba, Afrobeat, and drill music.<ref name="KenyanVibe">{{cite web |last=Samora |first=Mr. |date=May 5, 2022 |title=Artist Spotlight: Rapper Rajville Drops His Debut EP |url=https://www.kenyanvibe.com/rajville-drops-mekatilili-ep/ |website=KenyanVibe |access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref>

In early 2026, he officially announced his retirement from active music recording and public performance to pivot fully into executive production and digital innovation.

== Business ventures ==
=== MusicBank ===
Rajville is the founder and CEO of '''MusicBank''', a Kenyan record label and entertainment company that handles audio-visual production, advertising, and artist management.<ref name="MusicInAfrica"/> Established to support independent talent and manage his own releases, the company has operated as a strictly in-house production vehicle.<ref name="MusicInAfrica"/>

=== Digital Entrepreneurship ===
Following his transition away from live performance, he launched several entrepreneurial ventures in 2026:
* '''mBeatz:''' An online marketplace targeting Kenyan creators by providing high-quality beats at a fixed price of 999 KES, utilizing integrated M-Pesa systems.
* '''LaiinLabs:''' An audio-visual production lab dedicated to AI-driven storytelling and digital content creation.
* '''Hush Wellness:''' An e-commerce brand specializing in intimate health and self-care products within the Kenyan market.

In late 2021, Rajville was appointed as a brand ambassador for Mini Bakeries' Supaloaf brand, marking a crossover from urban music to mainstream corporate advertising.

== Discography ==
=== EPs and Albums ===
* ''Friday After Class'' (Album, 2014)
* ''Loud Pack'' (Album, 2018)
* ''Orkoiyot'' (EP, 2020)
* ''Mekatilili'' (EP, 2022)<ref name="KenyanVibe"/>
* ''Bae Tuesday'' (Series)<ref name="Soundcity"/>

=== Selected Singles ===
* "Obe Baba" (2015)<ref name="MusicInAfrica"/>
* "Sawa Sawa" (2015)<ref name="Tuko2022"/>
* "Suka"
* "Igo Remix" (ft. Victoria Kimani, 2019)<ref name="Soundcity"/>

== Personal life ==
Rajville is based in [[Nairobi]], Kenya. He is a single father and has occasionally been profiled in media coverage regarding the balance of parenting with his executive and creative work in the entertainment industry.<ref name="Tuko2022"/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:1993 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Kenyan rappers]]
[[Category:Kenyan record producers]]
[[Category:People from Nairobi]]
[[Category:University of Nairobi alumni]]

Rajville - Revision history

Cyn2547: Creating biography for Kenyan artist/entrepreneur Rajville. Sourced via National Dailies (The Standard, The Star), National TV (NTV, DSTV), and international music journals (Music in Africa)

Cyn2547: Creating biography for Kenyan artist/entrepreneur Rajville. Sourced via National Dailies (The Standard, The Star), National TV (NTV, DSTV), and international music journals (Music in Africa)