Githurai is in my neck of the woods.
So when I saw this story online of this little Githurai girl whose parents hail from Kisumu, who had blown minds with her impromtu, breathtaking rendition of Alicia Keys' 'Girl on fire' song, I clicked on it without much thought.
The video of that rendition broke the internet, clocking over a million views on IG within days.
Alicia Keys, an RnB powerhouse of international renown, was so impressed by girl's vocal prowess that she shared it on her social media page.
Her name is Amani Gracious. On the day that that viral video was shot, she was at home after being sent away from school over fee arrears.
"Some Wazungus were dishing out candy to kids so I ran to them because I wanted some. As a thank you, I sang to them . They asked me to sing again and removed their phones to record me. I heard three days later that the video had gone viral," she says.
To say that Gracious is talented is an understatement.
She sings with raw emotion, so raw that when I first listened to that viral video, my eyes watered.
Every syllable, every word, every verse tugs at your heartstrings as it is belted out.
A few months ago, she inked a 2.5 million deal with Pine Records and has done a collaboration with renowned crooner Vivian.
In her first single 'Sitasahau' produced by Pine Records, she croons about her not-well-to-do background, expressing gratitude to God and all those who stood with her, vowing not to forget.
"Nina imani siku ya kutoka ghetto itafika. Nitapata mabawa, nitapaa. Sitasahu walionishikilia... Sitasahau ni Mungu amenitendea (I have faith one day, I'll get out of the ghetto. I will grow wings and fly. I won't forget those who stood with me... I won't forget it's God who did it for me), she croons.
In interviews, she articulates herself with incredible eloquence, one that might fool you that she has led a life of privilege, that she has always had it easy.
Amani G has known struggle until a higher power intervened in the form of that viral video and life changed.
And for that, she is an inspiration to thousands of little girls out there leading a life of struggle, wondering just when the sun will shine.
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