Rajville
| Rajville | |
|---|---|
|
[[File:|250px]] | |
| Birth name | Rajiv Okemwa |
| Born | |
| Origin | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Template:Hlist |
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 2013–2026 |
| Labels | |
| Website | Official website |
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, and English within hip-hop, often referred to as "Ndizi Flow" or Gusii rap.[1] 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.[2] His educational background significantly informed his transition from a recording artist to a creative entrepreneur handling the business operations of his own label.[3]
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.[2] In 2016, his rising influence led him to be ranked among the top 10 Kenyan hip-hop artists of the year by industry critics.[4]
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.[5]
In 2017, his track "Sawa Sawa" achieved international reach after being featured as a soundtrack for the Toronto Raptors' "Basketball Without Borders Africa" program.[1]
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.[5]
- Khaligraph Jones: Collaborated on the track "Nobody."
- He has also worked with Boutross, Benzema, Fena Gitu, and Wangechi.[1][2]
In 2019, Rajville notably declined a multi-million shilling record deal from a major label to maintain full creative and financial independence.[6]
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.[7]
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.[2] Established to support independent talent and manage his own releases, the company has operated as a strictly in-house production vehicle.[2]
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)[7]
- Bae Tuesday (Series)[5]
Selected Singles
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.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Template:Cite news
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/raj | Raj Bio }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: March 31, 2026 | Accessed: March 31, 2026. }}
- ↑ Template:Cite news
- ↑ {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://aipate.com/2016/08/02/top-10-kenyan-hip-hop-arti-of-2016/ | The Ultimate Top 10 Kenyan Hip Hop Musicians of 2016 }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: March 31, 2026 | Accessed: March 31, 2026. }}
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://soundcity.tv/victoria-kimani-gets-an-incredible-feature-on-rajvilles-igo-remix/ | Victoria Kimani gets an incredible feature on Rajville's 'Igo Remix' }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: March 31, 2026 | Accessed: March 31, 2026. }}
- ↑ Template:Cite news
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 {{#if: | {{{author}}} }} {{#if: https://www.kenyanvibe.com/rajville-drops-mekatilili-ep/ | Artist Spotlight: Rapper Rajville Drops His Debut EP }} {{#if: | {{{publisher}}}. }} {{#if: March 31, 2026 | Accessed: March 31, 2026. }}