{{short description|Tanzanian singer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = solo_singer | image = | caption = | birth_name = Lucas Mkenda | alias = Mr. Nice | birth_place = Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1978}} | genre = {{hlist|Bongo flava|Afro pop}} | occupation = Singer • Songwriter • Entertainer • Entrepreneur | instrument = Vocals | origin = Kilimanjaro | label = | years_active = 1999–present | associated_acts = }} '''Lucas Mkenda''' popularly known as '''Mr. Nice'''<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2020 |title=Meet Tanzania music legend Mr Nice on his career downfall, family, health status, controversies |url=https://www.maravipost.com/meet-tanzania-music-legend-mr-nice-on-his-career-downfall-family-health-status-controversies/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=The Maravi Post |language=en-US}}</ref> is a Tanzanian veteran singer and one of the most celebrated vocalists in East Africa dominating East African music in the early 2000s alongside Jose Chameleone of Uganda and Jua Cali of Kenya.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Veteran Singer Mr. Nice thrown into mourning following mum's death |url=https://ghettoradio.co.ke/amp/veteran-singer-mr-nice-thrown-into-mourning-following-mums-death/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=GhettoRadio 89.5 FM |language=en-US}}</ref>
Mkenda<ref>{{Cite web |last=TZA |first=Victor Kileo |title=Mr Nice kafunguka na kusema ‘Sijutii chochote, vitu vyote nimeshafanya’ (+Audio) |url=https://millardayo.com/2wsxxderf/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Millard Ayo |language=en-US}}</ref> went professional in 1999 with the release of his debut album, ''Kidali Po'', and towards the end of 2002, he released his second album, ''Rafiki'', also his songs; "Kikulacho", "Fagilia Wote"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fagilia wote! Maina Kageni hooks up Mr Nice with three top producers |url=https://mpasho.co.ke/exclusives/2020-08-18-fagilia-wote-maina-kageni-hooks-up-mr-nice-with-three-top-producers/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Mpasho |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mukei |first=Cate |title='Fagilia' hit maker Mr Nice's illness worries Chameleone |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/county-western/article/2000176648/fagilia-hit-maker-mr-nices-illness-worries-chameleone |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Standard Entertainment}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=19 December 2013 |title=Tanzanian Fagilia Hit Maker, Mr. Nice Lands Filming Deal In Denmark |url=https://diasporamessenger.com/2013/12/tanzanian-fagilia-hit-maker-mr-nice-lands-filming-deal-in-denmark/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Diaspora Messenger News Media |language=en-US}}</ref> and "Kuku Kapanda Baiskeli" were among major hit songs of his career. He was famous for his 'Takeu'<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2021 |title=Mr Nice rubbishes rumours |url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/magazines/mr-nice-rubbishes-rumours-2625910 |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=The Citizen |language=en}}</ref> style, that comes from the initials of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda respectively. It incorporates elements from all three countries.
==Personal life== Lucas Mkenda was born in 1978, a Chaga in Moshi, Tanzania. He currently resides in Kenya with his wife whom they have two daughters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=SDE |title=PHOTOS: Mr Nice introduces all-grown daughter |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/african-news/article/2001300904/photos-mr-nice-introduces-all-grown-daughter |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Standard Entertainment}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mfahamu mtoto wa kwanza wa Mr Nice, ni mrembo kweli (Picha) – Bongo5.com |url=https://bongo5.com/mfahamu-mtoto-wa-kwanza-wa-mr-nice-ni-mrembo-kweli-picha-10-2018/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=bongo5.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2015 |title=Tanzanian Artiste Mr Nice Welcomes Second Child |url=https://www.citizen.digital/news/tanzanian-artiste-mr-nice-welcomes-second-child-68337 |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}}</ref> In 2021, Mr. Nice's mother who was living in Moshi, Tanzania passed away.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muendo |first=Stevens |title=Mr Nice mourns the loss of his mother |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/news/article/2001427978/mr-nice-mourns-the-loss-of-his-mother |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Standard Entertainment}}</ref>
== Controversies == Many controversies revolved around Mkenda as his music career went down.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khasiani (Writer) |first=Nwasante |last2=Khasiani (Writer) |first2=Nwasante |date=17 April 2013 |title=What Happened To Mr. Nice? Why was He Completely Ruined? Find Out Here! |url=https://www.ghafla.com/what-happened-to-mr-nice-why-was-he-completely-ruined-find-out-here/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Ghafla! |language=en-US}}</ref> Things went south when he visited South Africa, at Mzansi, Mkenda experienced an alarming downward spiral that was attributed to alcoholism<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gah |first=Cabu |date=19 September 2016 |title=REVEALED: How A Top Tanzanian Singer Is Living In Shame, Debts And Drunkenness In Kenya's Athi River Estate. (Photos) |url=https://www.ghafla.com/revealed-how-a-top-tanzanian-singer-is-living-in-shamedebts-and-drunkenness-in-kenyas-athi-river-estate-photos/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Ghafla! |language=en-US}}</ref> and hedonism. As he disappeared for a while, rumors had it that he raped a little girl and was arrested,<ref>{{Cite web |title=#TBT The Truth Behind What Really Happened To Mr Nice. – VarCity |url=https://www.varcity.co.ke/amp/tbt-the-truth-behind-what-really-happened-to-mr-nice/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=www.varcity.co.ke}}</ref> more word went around that he had died. On 13 December, one of East African websites sensationally claimed that Mkenda was dead.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milimo |first=Dennis |date=18 March 2021 |title=Singer Mr. Nice Survives Grisly Road Accident while headed to Nyahururu (Video) |url=https://www.pulselive.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/singer-mr-nice-survives-grisly-road-accident-while-headed-to-nyahururu-video/5c9gcs3 |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Pulselive Kenya}}</ref> A few hours later, it turned out to be just a rumour after the musician through his socials assured his fans that he was alive<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mukei |first=Cate |title=I'm still alive- Mr Nice dismisses death rumours |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/county-western/article/2000226990/im-still-alive-mr-nice-dismisses-death-rumours |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Standard Entertainment}}</ref> and well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muhindo |first=Clare |title=Tanzanian Music legend Mr Nice still alive – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos |url=https://www.sqoop.co.ug/201612/four-one-one/tanzanian-music-legend-mr-nice-still-alive.html |access-date=2022-12-25 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Mkenda has been struggling to revive his music career,<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2022 |title=Legendary Tanzania Singer Mr Nice and How His Celebrated Career Ended [PHOTOS] |url=https://www.ghanamma.com/ke/2022/08/20/legendary-tanzania-singer-mr-nice-and-how-his-celebrated-career-ended-photos/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Ghanamma.com |language=en-US}}</ref> at some point he migrated from Tanzania<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kavii |first=Felix |title=Mr Nice explains why he does not intend to go back to Tanzania |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/news/article/2001382248/mr-nice-explains-why-he-does-not-intend-to-go-back-to-tanzania |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Standard Entertainment}}</ref> to reside in Uganda<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2020 |title=Mr Nice: I'm doing just fine and making money in Kampala |url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/entertainment/mr-nice-i-m-doing-just-fine-and-making-money-in-kampala-2709032 |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=The Citizen |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 September 2018 |title=Broke and lonely Mr Nice ‘stranded’ in Kampala |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/mr-nice/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Nairobi News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Lee |date=11 May 2020 |title=Legendary Tanzanian Bongo Flava Singer, Mr. Nice Stuck In Kampala |url=https://www.routineblast.com/legendary-tanzanian-bongo-flava-singer-mr-nice-stuck-in-kampala/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Routine Blast: Gossip, Showbiz, Breaking News in Uganda |language=en-US}}</ref> where he complained about cyber and physical attacks<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mr Nice talks about his near death experience after he was poisoned |url=https://mpasho.co.ke/exclusives/2021-01-27-mr-nice-talks-about-his-near-death-experience-after-he-was-poisoned/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Mpasho |language=en-ZA}}</ref> he faced that nearly costed his life. In 2013 he resided in Kenya and signing with a record label<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruby |first=Josh |date=20 August 2018 |title=Mr Nice back in studio, working on big East African projects |url=http://mbu.ug/2018/08/20/mr-nice-back-in-studio-working-on-big-east-african-projects/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=MBU |language=en-US}}</ref> before being dropped<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watiri |first=Sue |date=31 August 2015 |title=Mr. Nice Reveals His Next Step after His Career Crashed and Burned In Kenya |url=https://www.ghafla.com/mr-nice-reveals-his-next-step-after-his-career-crashed-and-burned-in-kenya/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Ghafla! |language=en-US}}</ref> just a few months later, also claims that he was HIV positive<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nyanga |first=Caroline |title=I am not HIV positive, Tanzanian star Mr Nice rubbishes illness rumours |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/news/article/2000222550/i-am-not-hiv-positive-tanzanian-star-mr-nice-rubbishes-illness-rumours |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Standard Entertainment}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberto |first=Muyela |date=7 November 2016 |title=Mr Nice: Look at me? Do I look HIV positive? |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/221078-mr-nice-look-do-i-hiv-positive.html |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news. |language=en}}</ref> and being broke<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iranzi |first=Fabrice |date=23 April 2019 |title=Singer Mr. Nice has denied claims that he is broke |url=https://regionweek.com/singer-mr-nice-has-denied-claims-that-he-is-broke/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=RegionWeek |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=There is a God! Mr Nice shows off his sleek Mercedes ride after being branded dirt broke |url=https://mpasho.co.ke/exclusives/2020-03-27-there-is-a-god-mr-nice-shows-off-his-sleek-mercedes-ride-after-being-branded-dirt-broke/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Mpasho |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2020 |title="I drive with money in my boot" Mr. Nice refutes allegations he is broke |url=https://ghettoradio.co.ke/i-drive-with-money-in-my-boot-mr-nice-refutes-allegations-he-is-broke/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=GhettoRadio 89.5 FM |language=en-US}}</ref> were everywhere however, he came out to deny all these claims publicly.
Mkenda had a long rivalry<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2021 |title=Ukitaka kujua ustaa haudumu muulize Mr Nice, Dudu Baya |url=https://www.mwananchi.co.tz/mw/habari/makala/ukitaka-kujua-ustaa-haudumu-muulize-mr-nice-dudu-baya-2819654 |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Mwananchi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2018 |title=Dudu Baya yupo katika matatizo makubwa- Mr. Nice {{!}} East Africa Television |url=https://www.eatv.tv/dudu-baya-yupo-katika-matatizo-makubwa-mr-nice |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=www.eatv.tv |language=en}}</ref> with a Tanzanian rap artist, Dudu Baya<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 November 2017 |title=Mr. Nice Amchana Dudu Baya, Adai Hana Mhahali pa kuishi |url=https://www.bongomovies.com/mr-nice-amchana-dudu-baya-anadanganya-media/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Artists News in Tanzania |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mr. Nice na Dkt. Shika ni wale wale – Dudu Baya – Bongo5.com |url=https://bongo5.com/mr-nice-na-dkt-shika-ni-wale-wale-dudu-baya-12-2017/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=bongo5.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bugi |first=Rashid |title=Mr Nice amchana Dudu Baya {{!}} Ishi Kistaa |url=https://www.ishikistaa.com/mr-nice-amchana-dudu-baya/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> that lasted to more than two decades. The two Tanzanian musical artists reached a stage of putting on a fight<ref>{{Cite news |title=Dudu Baya "Nilimvunja Mr Nice Kiuno Baada ya Kuniletea Dharau" |work=UDAKU SPECIAL |url=https://www.udakuspecially.com/2021/11/dudu-baya-nilimvunja-mr-nice-kiuno.html?m=1 |access-date=2022-12-26}}</ref> back in 2001, an action that was criticized by government and music supporters.
== Discography == ===Albums=== *Kidali po *Rafiki
===Singles=== *Kikulacho *Fagilia<ref>{{Cite web |last=Misso |first=Amuna |date=11 May 2020 |title=Tanzania Fagilia Hit Maker ‘Mr Nice’ Still Making Money In Uganda |url=https://www.faceofmalawi.com/2020/05/11/tanzania-fagilia-hit-maker-mr-nice-still-making-money-in-uganda/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> *Nakuita *Kidalipo *Awe mama we *Tabia gani *Mama<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2017 |title=Bahati and Mr. Nice teaming up for gospel hit (PHOTO) |url=https://biggestkaka.co.ke/bahati-and-mr-nice-teaming-up-for-gospel-hit/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> *Tuvumiliane *Kila mtu na demu wake *Kuku kapanda baiskeli *Mbona umeniacha *King'asti<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kamau |first=Richard |date=12 February 2018 |title=Watch: Mr Nice Tells Off Haters in Second Music Video After Hiatus |url=https://nairobiwire.com/2018/02/watch-mr-nice-tells-off-haters-second-music-video-hiatus.html |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Nairobi Wire |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mkenda, Lucas}} Category:Living people Category:1978 births Category:Tanzanian singers Category:Swahili-language Tanzanian singers Category:Tanzanian Roman Catholics Category:People from Kilimanjaro Region Category:Tanzanian choreographers Category:21st-century Tanzanian male singers