Nahreel | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Emmanuel Mkono |
| Born | 1989 (age 34–35) Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
| Origin | Arusha |
| Genres | Trip hop, dancehall, R&B, Afrobeat Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | The Industry Studios |
| Member of | NAVY KENZO |
| Partner(s) | Aika Marealle |
Emmanuel Mkono (born 12 December 1989 in Dar es Salaam), known by his stage name Nahreel, is a Tanzanian Afro beats / Dancehall recording artist and record producer.
He is the founder and current CEO of The Industry Studios. Nahreel is a co-founder and member of the music group Navy Kenzo. He has produced albums for and overseen the careers of many rappers and singers, including Vanessa Mdee, Joh Makini, Diamond Platnumz, Nikki wa pili, Navy Kenzo, Izzo Biznes, Gnako, K.O, Roma Shrekeezy.,[1] He is credited as a key figure in the popularization of English rap in Tanzania.
Nahreel places his interest in music at the age of 14 when his father bought him a piano and a teacher to tutor him on how to play.[2] He officially began his career in music as an assistant music producer at Kama Kawa records in Dar es Salaam. He worked there for a period of two years before leaving to India to further his studies at Punjab College. His Riz One instrumental for Izzo Bizness, released under MJ Records, led the rapper Izzo Bizness to become one of the best-selling Tanzanian performing artists of 2009. The instrumental also led Nahreel to receive nominations for major awards and to meet the son of the President of the Republic of Tanzania, Ridhiwani Kikwete.[3] He was still in India at this time but the demand for his instrumentals was high back in Tanzania as many hip-hop artists were interested in working with him.[4][5][6]
In 2011, he completed his education in India and came back to Tanzania. He produced a couple of singles before joining a couple of his friends to form the music group Pah One.[7]
In August 2014, Nahreel opened his own company called The Industry. The Industry comprises The Industry studios (label, public relations, management) and the Industry School Of Music where he is able to establish all his years work in one. The Industry has since then worked upon many major projects with different companies and artists. The Industry label manages two artists including Wildad and rapper, Rosa Ree.
Weusi is a hip hop music group composed of Joh Makini, Nikki wa pili, Gnako, Bonta and Lordeyes they are awarded for 2012-2013 best group at KTMA in Tanzania. Nahreel has been working with Joh Makini since 2007 and to date he has created over 10 songs that have also been awarded.