Award-winning Kenyan singer, songwriter, and performer Fena Gitu has made history after being listed on the ballot for the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards, marking a defining moment not only in her career but also for East African music on the global stage.
Fena’s acclaimed single “Pretty Girl” has been submitted for the Song of the Year category — one of the world’s most competitive and prestigious honors — placing her alongside international music icons.
Her artistry has also earned recognition across multiple genres, with entries in R&B, Rap, and Spoken Word Poetry, including:
- Best Melodic Rap Performance – “Pretty Girl”
- Best Melodic Rap Performance – “Repeat” (featuring DJProdLuigi)
Speaking about the honor, Fena shared a heartfelt message of gratitude: “This moment is bigger than me. It’s about opening doors for African voices to be heard on the world stage. I’m truly honored and excited to see Kenyan music celebrated in this way.”
The GRAMMY Awards, hosted by the Recording Academy, remain the gold standard of musical excellence.
While her placement on the ballot is an initial step toward nomination, it is a powerful symbol of the growing global recognition of African creativity, resilience, and sound.
Fena Gitu’s achievement is not just a personal victory — it’s a statement that Kenyan music belongs on the world’s biggest stages.
Who Is Fena Gitu?
- Full Name / Alias: Born Wanjiru Gitu, she is popularly known as Fena Gitu or Fenamenal Woman.
- Born: April 25, 1991, in Nairobi, Kenya
- Profession & Genres: A multi-talented artist — singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, and fashion/urban lifestyle entrepreneur.
- Musical Style: She fuses styles like neo-soul, Afro-soul, hip-hop, afro-house, and urban soul to create her signature “Fenamenal” sound.
- Career Beginnings:
• She won the Fête de la Musique competition in 2008 at Alliance Française, Nairobi — a breakout moment.
• She later worked as a backup vocalist (for artists like Dela and Muthoni the Drummer Queen) before going solo around 2010. - Albums & Songs:
• Albums include Fenamenon, Unleashed, and LAL (2023).
• Popular tracks: “Doing Her Thing Tho,” “Pretty Girl,” “Love Is,” “Siri,” “Brikicho,” among others. - Achievements & Influence:
• She is recognized as one of Kenya’s leading female artists, having performed on major stages and collaborated with big names locally and internationally.
• Her work often champions female empowerment, social justice, and the amplification of African voices
Fena Gitu’s Relationship
She has denied dating Marini Naturals CEO Michelle Ntalami, calling them “very good long-term friends.”
Regarding rumors, Fena described her relationship with Michelle as having a “deep and complicated history,” but affirmed they are not dating currently.
She has commented generally on marriage and children, saying she’s open to the idea but hasn’t committed to specifics yet.
Fena Gitu has publicly refused to label her sexuality, saying “it’s nobody’s business.”
