"Possessing an unmatched socio-political nous, beautifully tempered in spirituality, Juliani comes correct with a message of religious, social and political emancipation, fresh and relevant in today's society. His sleek lyrical flow and passionate delivery have gotten him hailed as "an important voice for our time" (Eric Wainaina).

A rising star of East African hip hop, Juliani scooped two Kenyan Groove awards this year, including the hip-hop song of the year (Biceps) and the album of the year (Mtaa Mentality). In 2008 Juliani won awards both in Kenya and in the United States, the former being a Groove award for hip-hop song of the year (Mtaa Mentality), and the latter a Talanta Award as the coveted male artist of the year. Juliani was the first ever Kenyan artist to be signed to a full-fledged UK-based record label, Gatwitch Records. The result of that partnership is a highly acclaimed 13-track solo album, Mtaa Mentality, released in late 2008. A long-serving radio presenter, Eve D'Souza, prompted every lover of conscious music to get their hands on that album.

Read the lyrics to Hela, the third single from Juliani's Mtaa Mentality, here.

Juliani grew up as part of a large family, with one sister and five brothers. He was born and bred in Nairobi's high-density sprawling eastern suburb of Dandora, and it wasn't long before the cultural hip-hop influences of the area began to rub off on him. Recognized as the spiritual home of many Kenyan hip-hop icons, idolized musicians Kalamashaka and Ukoo Fulani sprung to notoriety from this area, and heavily influenced him.

Juliani has collaborated with the likes of KORA winner Eric Wainaina and Afro-fusion sensation Kanjii, as well as Kisima Nominees Holy Dave, and Wenyeji. Following the post-election violence in Kenya in early 2008, he got together with other top-name artists to record the multi-award winning Wakenya Pamoja single and video. It incorporated over 30 different acts, including comedian Churchill, Suzzana Owiyo, Abbi, Pete Odera and Rufftone.

Very socially conscious, Juliani has supported causes such as the World Vision Peace Tour (around Kenyan cities & towns), Vina Na Maana (a campaign against Economic Partnership Agreements), Stand Up Against Poverty (UN Millennium Campaign For MDG's), and has been a facilitator at the NCA conscious music workshop, not to mention his support for the monthly WAPI (Words & Pictures) initiative. His exploits have seen him perform at the annual Zanzibari music festival, open for Jamaican reggae sensation Chevelle Franklin, and partner with innovative French electro-fusion outfit Kanine Records.

The artist has been speaking in support of freedom of information, and in cooperation with Norwegian Church Aid started an environmental campaign this summer.

Juliani will represent Kenya at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 in Copenhagen in December.