# Redsan > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Redsan > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Redsan.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redsan > Source revision: 1321199819 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Kenyan reggae and ragga artist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Notability|Biographies|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Redsan | image = | image_size = | alt = | landscape = yes | background = solo_singer | birth_name = Swabri Mohammed | native_name = | alias = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1981|05|01}} | birth_place = Majengo, [Nairobi](/source/Nairobi), Kenya | origin = | genre = | occupation = Ragga and reggae artist | years_active = 2001–present | label = | website = | notable_instruments = }} '''Swabri Mohammed''' (born 1 May 1981), better known by his [stage name](/source/stage_name) '''Redsan''', is a Kenyan [reggae](/source/reggae) and [ragga](/source/ragga) artist. He is one of the most renowned [ragga](/source/ragga) and [dancehall](/source/dancehall) artists in East Africa. His popularity has extended to the rest of Africa, parts of [Europe](/source/Europe), the [United States](/source/United_States), and the [Middle East](/source/Middle_East).{{cite web |first=Shirlene |last=Alusa-Brown |title=Viva Africa billed as largest African music festival in the Middle East |date=November 19, 2012 |website=www.jamati.com |language=en |access-date=22 August 2023 |url=http://www.jamati.com/online/lifestyle/viva-africa-billed-as-largest-african-music-festival-in-the-middle-east/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115052143/http://www.jamati.com/online/lifestyle/viva-africa-billed-as-largest-african-music-festival-in-the-middle-east/ |archive-date=January 15, 2013 }} == Beginnings== Mohammed was born on 1 May 1981. He was raised in the informal housing sector in [Majengo](/source/Majengo%2C_Nairobi) in [Nairobi](/source/Nairobi), [Kenya](/source/Kenya). His home of origin is coast and he belongs to the Mijikenda tribe of Duruma. His first album, ''Seasons of the San'', was released in 2002 under the [Ogopa Deejays](/source/Ogopa_Deejays) label.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/Supplements/lifestyle/20102002/story3.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030421020422/http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/Supplements/lifestyle/20102002/story3.htm |archive-date=2003-04-21 |title=The Lifestyle Magazine |access-date=2015-08-25}} Redsan's career propelled to higher heights with more international shows after the release of his first album. His second album ''Red'' (2004), and his third album ''Pioneer'' (2006) were also big hits. == Career == His music career began when he won the Star Search challenge hosted at [Carnivore discothèque](/source/Carnivore_(restaurant)) in Nairobi in 1998.{{cite web|url=http://www.i-reggae.net/2012/10/redsan-the-king-of-kenyan-dancehall.html |title=Account Suspended |publisher=I-reggae.net |access-date=2015-08-25}} He released his first album 'Seasons of the San (2002)' as part of the [Ogopa Djs](/source/Ogopa_Djs) unit. This album included hit songs "Julie" and "Wanipa Raha" which propelled him to fame in Kenya, East Africa and abroad. He then embarked on his solo career and released his second album under Southwest Records. It also included hit song "Bageya", a collaboration with Ugandan artist [Jose Chameleone](/source/Jose_Chameleone). His second album ''Red'', was released in 2004. It contained hit tracks "Chicken", "Malaika" and "Apakatwe". His third album, ''Pioneer'', was released in 2006 with hit singles such as "Kenyan" and "Touch". His own music is currently being produced by Monalisa. As an artist he continues to write all the songs sometimes with co-writers. He has toured in several countries around the world. Redsan has earned the nickname 'Absentee Dance hall King" in Kenyan media as he is always on tour outside the country.{{Cite web | url=http://www.timesnews.co.ke/30jun06/spicy/spicy2.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120917121200/http://www.timesnews.co.ke/30jun06/spicy/spicy2.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-09-17 |title = Timesnews.co.ke}} In 2013, he collaborated with [Jamaica](/source/Jamaica)n artist [Demarco](/source/Demarco_(musician)) on the remix to his hit single ' Badder Dan Most'. The single gained him a lot of airplay and broadened his musical reach. This was followed by a lucrative music deal with Pan Africa music company Rockstar4000. ===Record Label=== After the release of his third album, he established his studio and label, ''Dutty Sounds''. Redsan signed former Southwest head producer [Maich Blaq](/source/Maich_Blaq) to head his record label. He has signed several artistes including Proff, whose debut single 'Nataka Nijue' ruled Kenyan charts for six weeks.Proff's second single, "Data" was a commercial success and topped various charts across east Africa. ===Hit Singles=== His hit singles include "Mikono Juu", "Chicken","unbreakable" "Malaika", "Step on it", "Apakatwe"{{Cite news|url=https://www.bongoexclusive.net/2018/12/redsan-apakatwe-mp3-download.html|title=Redsan- Apakatwe (Audio)|date=2017-05-25|work=Bongo Exclusive|access-date=2018-02-09|language=en-US}} and "Julie". "Julie" or (aka "Julie, My Lover") is one of his most popular songs. It is a remix of an old African classic love song, "Unirudie rumi wee"/"nihurumie wangu we" (''Please have mercy on me''). It is both in English and Swahili. It delineates a male-female relationship where the suitor is trying to court a girl named Julie.Kimani Njogu, Hervé Maupeu "Songs and Politics in Eastern Africa", Mkuki Na Nyota, Dar Es Salam, 2007, p.299 The song is noted for both its lyrics, message and rhythms. The song expressing a desire to a single partner in a time of sexual promiscuity due to 'disease' and due to a desire to remain faithful to the woman he wants to marry. ==Personal life== He married Viverz Mohammed in 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.kenyan-post.com/2012/10/redsan-turned-down-nude-photo-shoot.html |title=DAILY POST: REDSAN turned down NUDE photo shoot…………… |website=www.kenyan-post.com |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127204020/http://www.kenyan-post.com/2012/10/redsan-turned-down-nude-photo-shoot.html |archive-date=27 January 2013 |url-status=dead}} He is a member of an organization that helps to eradicate poverty and create HIV/AIDS awareness in Africa. ==Discography== ===Albums=== *''Seasons of the San'' (2002) *''Red'' (2004) *''Pioneer'' (2006) *''Versatility'' (2009) *''The Baddest'' (2018) == Awards == '''Won:''' *2005 [Chaguo La Teeniez](/source/Chaguo_La_Teeniez) – Best Male Artiste {{cite web|url=http://www.eastandard.net/mags/pulse/articles.php?articleid=34296 |title=PULSE: 2005 celeb rating! |access-date=2015-08-25 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060118022855/http://www.eastandard.net/mags/pulse/articles.php?articleid=34296 |archive-date=January 18, 2006 }} *2005 [Kisima Music Awards](/source/Kisima_Music_Awards) Best Reggae/Ragga '''Nominated:''' *2003 [Kora Awards](/source/Kora_Awards) – Most Promising African Male.{{cite web|url=http://www.tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=281159&fSectionId=431&fSetId=251 |title=IOL Tonight |publisher=Tonight.co.za |access-date=2015-08-25}} *2004 [Kora Awards](/source/Kora_Awards) – Best East African Male Artist {{cite web |url=http://www.yeahbo.net/KoraAwardsWinners2004.xls |url-status=unfit |archive-date=Jan 6, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050106052917/http://www.yeahbo.net/KoraAwardsWinners2004.xls |title=Kora Awards Winners |language=en |date=2004 |access-date=21 August 2023}} *2006 [Tanzania Music Awards](/source/Tanzania_Music_Awards) – Best East African Album (''Pioneer'') {{cite web|url=http://www.kilitimetz.com/2006/awards/vote.html |title=Kilitime |access-date=2015-08-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110013751/http://www.kilitimetz.com/2006/awards/vote.html |archive-date=November 10, 2006 }} *2006 [Pearl of Africa Music Awards](/source/Pearl_of_Africa_Music_Awards) – Best Kenyan Male Artiste ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.myspace.com/redsanpioneer Official Myspace profile] {{Authority control}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Kenyan musicians Category:Kisima Music Award winners Category:Musicians from Nairobi --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Redsan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redsan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redsan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.