User:Habida Moloney

Habida Moloney born(August 13 1981), is a mixture of cultures, she is a Kenyan, Somali, English and Irish singer, songwriter, performer and actress. Born and raised in Kenya Habida performed in various singing and theatrical productions as a child. She is renowned for smash hits like "Sunshine", "Kesho" and "My Reason" featuring Cannibal. In 2009, she clinched an MTV Listeners Choice Award for her collaboration with Kenyan Artist Nameless in the song "Sunshine". Habida is strong, fun, innovative ,original and has a strong social media presence.

Habida has collaborated with several top African artists including, Hussein Machos (Tanzania), J Town (Ghana) and from Nigeria Iyanya, Chidinma, and Ice Prince. Her success in music has seen her perform in Nigeria, South Africa and the UK, among other regions. She is also keen on diversifying her art by working with notable producers like celebrated UK music producer Silvastone who produced her singles: "Girls Night Out" and "Superwoman". She has also worked with Qura Rankin (US/UK), R-Kay (Kenya), Dan Curtin (Germany), TeeY-Mix (Nigeria), Bruce Billups (US) DJ Sabby (SA) and DJ Clock (SA). After taking a break to concentrate on her family, Habida made a return to the music industry in 2017 with a collaboration with Ghanaian artist J Town to give us the R&B gem, "Sweet Love".

Early Life
1981- 1998 Habida Moloney was born in Kenya Nairobi, to Susan Moloney, a PA to the finance director of a motor company in Nairobi, and Michael Moloney, Principle of St Mary High school and counselor.[17] Habida's name is a tribute to her mother's maiden name.[18] Habida's younger sister Bahati is teacher just like their father. Bahati and Habida are the only 2 children born to the Moloney family. Habida attended Loreto Convent Msongari primary school and Rusinga High School, where she enrolled in every extra curricula activity possible. She was games captain on the swimming team, was part of the drama club as well as being part of girl guides. Her singing talent was discovered when would take piano lessons but was more interested in singing. Out side of school she was involved in a small community-acting troupe and she took piano lessons. Her piano teacher gave her her first audience at her wedding as a solo performer. Habida's interest in music and performing continued after graduating high school, In fall of 1998, Habida left her home in Nairobi against her parents will, and moved to the UK to pursue her dreams of acting and singing at the age of 16. She enrolled at Lewisham college of London where she studies Musical Theatre, while pursuing her singing career trying to produce her first record. She meet Qura Rankin a Record Producer signed then to BMG who recognized her style (R&B and Soul) and advised her to move to the US. Before Habida left the UK she walked away from an opportunity at Polydor records and also auditioned for The very first Pop Idols, She was not picked but she later knows she picked a tough song.

In Moving to Atlanta Habida choose to get her degree in Performing Arts at Kennesaw State University. She graduated in 2006.

Since 2013, she has been active in developing her music career and today is celebrated for being one of Kenya's most travelled artistes. She continues to express her cultural inspirations and travel tales using her music.

Musical Career
In 2003, Habida released her first 6-song demo while still pursuing her studies in Performing Arts and Musical Theatre in the US. One of the tracks on the demo "I love You" made it to radio through a listeners choice competition. This was quite an achievement for Habida. After graduating Habida decided to go back home and spend some time with her parents as they were getting older and her father was fighting Leukemia. After moving back she got into the studio and immediately came out with her first hit single in Africa "Sunshine", which won listeners choice award at the MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS, this solidified her ranking as an entertainer to reckon with both in Africa and beyond. Soon after she released two more hit single "Kesho" and "Get down tonight" Her instant music success also earned her three nominations at the East African CHAT Awards (Kenya) where she took home the Best Video Award.

She is also a two-time nominee at the Channel O Awards for the most gifted Afro-pop artist (2010) and Best R&B Video (2013). In 2011, she was also nominated as Best New Artist of the month on MTV. By 2014 she was unstoppable and soon got signed to Gallo Publishers in South Africa, following which she released her debut EP on iTunes. In 2016 she left Gallo and had her son, while recording her new EP and shooting her reality show where she dreamed of empowering women through her story.

She released her 3rd EP I AM in 2017 which was a change from her regular sound. She now is focusing on releasing music true to her heart.

Personal Life
=== Marriage and Children === Habida started a relationship with Daniel Ebo a successful Hotelier specializing in Sales and Marketing for Hotels. After their meeting up again at the MTV Africa Music Awards in Nairobi. They were married In private on February 27th 2010. And then had a public church wedding on the 18th December 2010. They are known for their private relationship.

Habida had their first child Michaellla Ebo, who she says is the best thing that has ever happened to her, after being told she would never be able to have children, surviving her rape at 16 years old. She moved to London soon after to pursue her career and to get away from memories of her rape.

Her release "Keep On walking" was inspired by the loss of her father who she was extremely close to. She went through a time after this release where she took time out to mourn and spend time with her family.

In 2016 she released the news that she was having her second child which was long over due. The couple had been trying to conceive for about 3 years. Isaiah Ebo is her "Savior" she calls him.

Habida moves around a lot because she supports her husbands career and strives to continue her career from where ever they are based.

Activism
Habida is an activist and takes stands for her fellow artists. She posted on intagram about her shock that Kenyan companies do not support their own artists. They soon after boycotted hiring her for further shows. She still takes this stand! Habida states in any interview that she considered herself to be "a modern-day feminist". She aligns herself more publicly with the movement, by taking a photo shoot done by Emmanuel Jambo, where she painted her stretch marks gold and describes Womens struggles as battle wounds and scars that only make them more beautiful.

From 2016 Habida has been speaking in schools about her rape experience and encouraging girls and women that life does not end at rape, it keeps going and that rape survivors should choose life over a victim mind set. She has inspired several girls to speak out against their rapists.

Philanthropy
Habida has always done philanthropic work with those that needed support in the back ground as she didn't feel she needed to display her acts of kindness. She started doing this kind of work with her father when she was a child. He supported several homes with his work and on his own time. Giving of himself often more than he had. Habida has followed suit. One of the groups she supports is a group in Kibera known as The Kibera Creative arts She mentors them and brings international personalities to their studio to inspire them. Such as Qura Rankin and Keri Hilson

She has now started a NGO called The Superwoman Foundation She felt the need to create a bigger platform for her work as she was getting overwhelmed with how much she was doing and now she needed help, to continue her work supporting women, Promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. To bring back the culture of togetherness and community within women. Women empowering women! She will work to build confidence, creating social justice and freedom of expression. Welfare of women is her focus – facilitating discussions, creating awareness and highlighting topics such as:- Rape Crisis – rape is the worst form of violence. Economic Marginalization – refers to the discrimination against women in the economic realm. Political Subordination – in this regard, women do not share the same power and prestige, status and societal position as men. Multiple Burdens – women, even as they are viewed as having primarily reproductive functions, actually participate in a host of other activities.

Health care focusing on sexual education and implications, food, personal health, self love and state of mind i.e. emotional health and spiritual health.