John De Mathew Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Accident, Children, Death, Family, Wealth, Net Worth, Memorial and Songs
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John De Mathew Biography – John De Mathew Wiki
John De Mathew born John Ng’ang’a Mwangi, was a Kikuyu benga musician popular for his Kikuyu music hits. De Mathew started school in 1975 at Mukurwe Primary which is now named Githambia Primary and finished STD 7 in 1981. He then joined Naaro Secondary in 1982 and later Igikiro Secondary School till 1985.
When Demathew completed high school, he sold farm produce at Korogocho market, Nairobi. During this time, he was composing his music. In 1986, Muheria Kariuki (former Chairman Thika County Council) took De’ Mathew to Timona Mburu and Joseph Wamumbe who assisted him to record his first song “Jennifer” which he had composed while in STD 7.
He later moved to Subukia, Nakuru, Mbogo-ini Village where he was farming and selling Mitumba clothes and shoes at Soko Mjinga, Nakuru and it is there where his band name came from “Mbogo-ini Stars”.
In 1987 he retunred to Nairobi to record the song “Krismasi tutashangilia Voi” and released his first album“rekereria wendo remix”. In 1988, he released the song “Peris Nduku” which made him popular.
John De Mathew’s songs were widely known for having hidden cultural, political and social messages, like “Mene mene Tekeli” which meant “the end is near.”
John De Mathew Age
He was born on 1st June 1967 in Gathiru-ini village, Mukurwe Gatanga Constituency, Murang’a County. He died on August 18, 2019. He was 52 years old.
John De Mathew Family
De Mathew’s parents were the late Mathew Ng’ang’a Kagai and the late Lucy Wanjiku Ng’ang’a. He was the fourth born in a family of eight. He was brother to Samuel Kiarie, Paul Mbua, Andrew Kagai, Emmah Wambui, Agnes Wanjira, David Maina, Evans Mburu and Geoffrey Ndung’u (Wakirairu gaitu) and Step-brother to John, the late Francis Kagai, the late Paul Gichiri, Samuel Waweru, Auraria Wanjira and John Ngahu. Uncle to Evans Mwangi Waweru, Lazarus Mburu and many more and grandfather to many.
John De Mathew Wife
John De Mathew was married to his two wives, his first wife Sarafina Wairimu John and his second wife Caroline Waithira John.
John De Mathew Children
He had seven children, Jane Waithira, Everlyne Wanjiku, Chrissp Kamau, Stacy Wanjiku, Lenny Ng’ang’a, Tyresse Thiiru and Wayne Mathew Ng’ang’a Junior..
John De Mathew Death – John De Mathew Accident
John De Mathew died in a road crash at Blue Post on August 18, 2019. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Thika Nursing Home. According to Thika Base Commander Elenah Wamuyu, Demathew’s car rammed into a lorry near Blue Post Hotel. He was alone in the car.
According to Gatanga MP Ngugi Nduati, DeMathew was coming from a harambee held at Metro Bar in support of fellow musician Peter Kigia.
According to the driver of the lorry, he was on his way to Sagana from Athi river when a speeding vehicle hit him in the back. “When I got here at Blue Post, a car belonging to De Mathew hit me at the back. He was removed from the car by good samaritans who rushed him to hospital as I waited for the traffic police to show up,” the driver told journalists at the scene.
Until John De Mathew’s death, he was the chairperson of the newly-launched Tamco Sacco that aims to uplift the welfare of musicians.
“We want to come together and join a Sacco to pool resources together so that when we die, our families do not resort to harambees to give us a decent send-off,” he said early this year at Thika Greens during the launch.
John De Mathew ‘s death comes barely a year after that of another legendary Kikuyu musician Joseph Kamaru. Kamaru on October 3, 2018, at the age of 79 while receiving treatment at MP Shah Hospital, Nairobi.
John De Mathew and Murang’a woman Representative Sabina Chege Relationship
Murang’a woman rep Sabina Chege was featured dancing and crooning in the video of De Mathew’s hit song Njata Yakwa. They were at some point rumored to be dating. The woman rep is married to Maina Gathito.
John De Mathew Songs
John De Mathew recorded and released more than three hundred and seventy-five (375) songs in 50 albums. Some of his biggest hits include:
- Njambi
- Arume Kwina Mbu
- Nengereria Ka’ne
- Niwanyumire Thayu
- Gathoni
- Muthoniwa
- Mundurume Utari Thayu
- Simama Mama
- Sarafina
- Mburi Cia Kiama
- Pin Number
- Mami Ke Nguinire
- Property
- Mwihuguro
- Emma Waithera
- Nyoni Ya Njamba
- Tuuragio Ki
- Uhiki
- Mugunda Wa Ngoro
- Niwaturukirie
- Amicus Curie
- Nindahoera Arume
- Thii Thayu
- Wega Kwa Wega
- Kirarina
- Ngai He Number
- Uthekagia Na Kanua
- Twari Kariko
- Yakuhithio
- Githii Tu
- Nigukugitira
- Kiroto
- Ndireciritie Ngute
John De Mathew Awards
He won several awards during his career. They include: Soya Awards; Runner up album of the year, Music Composer Association (2000), Top Kenyan Singer – Soya Crown (Best song of the year) “Urathi wa ma” and the Album of the year (2001), and Head of State Commendation (HSC) (2018).
John De Mathew Wealth, Net Worth
He was among the wealthiest musicians in Kenya.
