THE OTHER SIDE OF ME – SANAIPEI TANDE

Sanaipei Tande is a multi talented Artist from Kenya. She is a Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Karaoke Host among many other things. She first came into the limelight when she and two of her band mates won the East Africa Coca Cola Pop Stars in 2004. When the group disbanded, she found success as a solo artist and has been flying high ever since. Sanaipei speaks to us about her highs and lows of her career, how she got into radio as a presenter with KIIS 100 FM, where she gets her inspiration for her music and her love for her family who have been instrumental to her throughout her career.

Natasha Sanaipei Tande (born 22 March 1985), professionally known as Sana, is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, actress, karaoke host, radio personality and entertainer. Born and raised in Mombasa and later on in Ngong, she gained media attention after winning the 2004 East Africa Coca-Cola Popstars Talent

Born and raised in Mombasa, Sana attended Loreto Convent Mombasa, Mama Ngina High school and Aga Khan High School. When she was 16, her family relocated to Matasia near Nairobi where she transferred to St Lucy Kiriri Girls, Nairobi and cleared her high school. Despite being admitted to study Pharmacy at the Kenya Medical Training College, she decided to defer, to temporarily pursue a career in music.

In 2004, at 19 years of age, she joined the reality competition East Africa Coca-Cola Popstars Talent Search after coaxing from her family.She and her two ‘Sema’ bandmates Kevin ‘Kev’ Waweru and Pam Waithaka emerged victorious. The trio released their debut single Leta Wimbo, and a seventeen-track album, thrusting them into the limelight. Unfortunately, in 2005, the group split, after which Sana embarked on a solo career.

After the disintegration, Tande collaborated with Jua Cali , Big Pin, Madtraxx, K-Denk, Dan Aceda and Kidum, releasing a number of singles like “Najuta”, “Niwe wako”, “Kwaheri”, “Big Shot Remix”, “I am here”, “Mulika Mwizi” and “Mtoto wa Geti Kali”. In 2006, Tande joined Kiss 100 after working with Eve D’Souza on Hits not Homework on Capital FM. She also began hosting karaoke at various bars and clubs across Nairobi. She later joined Nation FM in 2013, co-presenting with Edward Kwach on the drive show. In the same year, she injected new energy into her music career, releasing “I wish”, closely followed by “Mfalme wa Mapenzi”. She then joined comedian Obinna Ike Igwe on the mid-morning show and later presented solo on the same show.

In June 2014, Sana released the video for her single, Mfalme wa Mapenzi, sparking controversy due to what some describe as its “raunchy” nature. She released Ankula Huu, the video, in March 2015 and it was well received.

In September 2015, she was allegedly declared redundant in spite of the fact that her mid-morning show consistently garnered the station’s highest listenership. Her termination and that of colleagues Anto Neo Soul and Ciru Muriuki was met with much uproar on Twitter, with many listeners and fans demanding their reinstatement.She is also into acting and taking a leading role in the local Swahili drama Aziza. She currently stars in a local drama on Maisha Magic Plus, Kina.