Mercy Myra Biography

Mercy Myra Grundberg, popularly known as Mercy Myra, is a celebrated Kenyan R&B singer and songwriter whose soulful vocals made her one of the most iconic female artists of East Africa in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Known for timeless singles such as Sitaki, and albums like Taba Samu (2001) and Nyisri Malong’o (2003), she remains one of Kenya’s pioneering voices in contemporary R&B and Afro-soul.

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In 1996, she joined the Calabash Band but left the following year to join the R&B group Destinee. In 1997, she joined a band called Black Ice. She later went solo and released her first single “Sitaki” (featuring K-South) in the end of 1998, produced by Samawati Studios.^[2]

She has performed in various concerts abroad, including the 2004 Zanzibar International Film Festival,^[3] and Festival Mundial in Tilburg, the Netherlands in 2002 and 2003.^[2]

Mercy Myra was part of the Divas of The Nile supergroup, that featured four Kenyan female musicians. The others were Suzzana Owiyo, Achieng Abura, and Princess Jully. The group performed at the Festival Mundial in 2007.^[4]

She moved to the United States in 2005, and subsequently faded from the limelight.^[5] However, in 2009, she won the Best Female Artiste category at the Msanii Awards, honouring US-based Kenyan musicians.

She was married to Malimo Chahonyo Andega, an aspiring Kenyan hip hop musician using the stage name Attitude.^[7] Their marriage ended in divorce in December 2015.

Mercy Myra returned to the music scene in 2016 after signing a new deal with Atlanta-based label, Nu Royal Records, where she planned to collaborate with Grammy Award winning producer, Herman Little to create a “new” sound

Early Career

Mercy Myra began her professional music journey in 1996, joining the Calabash Band before briefly becoming part of the R&B group Destinee in 1997. That same year, she moved on to the Black Ice Band, where she honed her live performance skills.

In 1998, she launched her solo career with the single Sitaki, featuring hip-hop duo K-South. Produced by Samawati Studios, the track introduced her as one of the rising stars of Kenyan R&B.

Rise to Fame and International Performances

By the early 2000s, Mercy Myra had established herself as a powerful performer with a unique blend of African soul and R&B. She released her debut album Taba Samu in 2001, followed by Nyisri Malong’o in 2003, both of which received critical acclaim.

Her international breakthrough came with performances at high-profile festivals, including:

Festival Mundial in the Netherlands (2002, 2003, 2007)
Zanzibar International Film Festival (2004)

Mercy was also a member of the celebrated all-female supergroup Divas of The Nile, alongside Suzzana Owiyo, Achieng Abura, and Princess Jully. Together, they showcased Kenyan female artistry on global stages, reinforcing her status as one of Kenya’s most respected vocalists.

Move to the U.S. and Later Career

In 2005, Mercy Myra relocated to the United States, a move that saw her temporarily step back from the limelight. Despite reduced visibility in Kenya, she continued to make an impact abroad. In 2009, she won Best Female Artist of the Year at the Msanii Awards, which honored U.S.-based Kenyan musicians.

After a hiatus, she staged a comeback in 2016, signing with Nu Royal Records in Atlanta. She worked with Grammy Award-winning producer Herman Little, crafting a refreshed sound that blended her East African roots with contemporary R&B.

She went on to release singles such as Afrikan Tango (2012), Back Home (2014), Malo featuring Khaligraph Jones (2017), and Feels Like Love featuring Vicmass Luo Dollar (2017).

Personal Life

Mercy Myra was married to Malimo Chahonyo Andega, a Kenyan hip-hop artist popularly known as Attitude. Their marriage ended in divorce in December 2015.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Mercy Myra has been celebrated for her vocal talent and contribution to East African music. Her accolades include:

2003 Kisima Music Awards – R&B Artist of the Year
2004 Kisima Music Awards – Female Artist of the Year
2009 Msanii Awards (USA) – Best Female Artist of the Year

She was also nominated for the 2003 Kora Awards in the Best East African Artist category, cementing her international reputation.

Discography

Albums

Taba Samu (2001)
Nyisri Malong’o (2003)

Singles

Sitaki (1998) – feat. K-South
Afrikan Tango (2012)
Back Home (2014)
Malo (2017) – feat. Khaligraph Jones
Feels Like Love (2017) – feat. Vicmass Luo Dollar

Features

Velocity (2015) – with Rhythm Jets

Legacy

The Mercy Myra biography reflects the journey of a pioneering R&B artist who helped shape modern Kenyan music. From her early hits with Sitaki to her international tours and collaborations, Mercy has consistently showcased the power of African soul. Her influence continues to inspire a new generation of Kenyan female musicians, ensuring her legacy as one of the country’s most iconic voices.