Nameless is one of the many home grown artiste that has proven beyond doubt that the new generation of Kenyan Talent is ready and capable of taking the Kenyan Sounds across the Universe. They have shown the world that Kenya is not all about long distance running and wild game, but our music is adorable, unique and tantalising and that it competes at International level.

Having showcased his Music and Talent around the same time when the Ragga and  Kenya Hip Hop craze had swept the country like bushfire, Nameless is synonymous with the new age Kenyan sounds, gaining popularity not only in Kenya but far and beyond.

The man who once was asked, “What is your name”, casually replied, “Nameless”, and the person was left speechless. Born David Mathenge in August 1976, Nameless like most Kenyan artistes did not enjoy any voice or musical training to get to where he is, it has been pure determination, dedication, discipline and hard work that has made him what he is today.  

His releases have more than often topped both the radio and local charts and his ‘Live’ performances calendar is ever booked, so they say, “No Gig is ‘Poa’ without playing Nameless”.

His obsession with hip hop, which was a trend most youths were into during his early years, and influences of Soul from his older family members, got Nameless listening to a lot of hip hop and Soul. He was greatly influenced by artiste’s likes of Missy Elliot, Femi Kuti and others.

Education was also a priority for him which he pursued at the Nairobi University. It was in 1999, as a second year student in Architecture Nameless participated in a competition on Nairobi’s 1^st fully independent private Radio Station, Capital FM, which he won decisively and landed him a recording contract with Kenya’s hip hop Music Guru, Tedd Josiah of ‘Audio Vault Studio’.

The result was his debut single, ‘Mega Rider’ that became an instant hit topping the charts. Nameless “aka” David Mathenge had arrived and there was no turning back. As the song ‘Mega Rider’ was about the popular discount tickets for Kenya Bus Services, a transport company that had monopoly in city transport in Kenya over donkey years, the company adapted the Track for their Marketing Campaign.

Patience, dedication and sheer determination had paid dividends. Contracts started rolling in, his fan base was overwhelming and awards were knocking on his doorstep. 

In the year 2000, he was awarded a University Arts Achievements Awards for ‘Best Male Artiste’ in the Rap Category.

It was also time to move on to greener pastures and bigger things, as the saying goes “Strike while the iron is hot”, Nameless moved to Ogopa DeeJay Production House in 2001, where he recorded ‘Majitu’ and ‘Mannerless’, both the tracks were a success and ‘the sky was the limit’ for this genius of a performer. This was followed by party anthem, ‘Ninanoki’, jointly with Diva Amani again under the Ogopa DeeJays camp.

‘Ninanoki’ was not only big, but Real big for Nameless, it broke all records. Kenyans were humming it everywhere, from the very young to the not so young, even the Gukas and Shoshos (Grn Ma’s & Grn Pa’s). The man whose name itself is a sensation created vybes never witnessed before, the song was Tops on the popular Radio show on Kiss100FM, Top Seven at Seven; Nairobi’s Most Wanted. 

In 2002 he graduated with a 2nd Class Honours Degree in Architecture. The following year, 2003 Awards kept rolling in; Nameless was nominated for ‘Best Male Artiste’ and ‘Best Song’ for ‘Ninanoki’ and ‘Boomba Train’- done with E-Sir, at the prestigious Kisima Music Awards.

By this time Nameless had grown tremendously, he was an inspiration to his fans, a role model to young children and a mentor to upcoming Artistes. Nameless's ‘On Fire’, one of the most awaited Kenyan Albums was launched on 31^st December 2003.

He has successfully toured different States in the United States of America, and had fans mobbing him everywhere he went. On his return he learnt of his nomination at the Kora All Africa Music Awards, Africa’s answer to the Grammy’s.

He has escaped death twice, all thanks to God Almighty and his Angels who have been looking over him, his first encounter was with E-Sir, and then with K-Rupt. Those are memories that are not easy to forget but as we live on we pray for the loss of the two young souls that had a lot of potential and talent.

Music today has a lot that goes with it side by side; great record sales, performances across the continents, endorsements and even brand names.

Nameless has it all. It’s all part of being a young, gifted Kenyan Entrepreneur. ©