Muthoni Drummer Queen

Muthoni Drummer Queen
Born	Muthoni Ndonga Nairobi, Kenya
Occupation	Musician
Nationality	Kenyan

Muthoni Drummer Queen or Muthoni Ndonga is a Kenyan rapper, drummer and cultural entrepreneur.^[1] Her music genres include hip-hop, reggae/dancehall and soul/blues.^[2] She produces alternative electro-hip-hop music and founded the festivals Africa Nouveau and Blankets & Wine in East Africa.^[3]

Muthoni Ndonga was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. Her adolescent aspirations included becoming an artist, but she was discouraged by her parents due to their traditional values.

Growing up, she channeled her passion for music through school choirs until 2004 when, as a student, she organized her first concert with the help of her friends. In 2008, after having obtained her diploma in international relations and philosophy at the Kenya’s United States International University Africa (USIU Africa), with the intention to increase the visibility of alternative music in Kenya, she founded the festival 'Blankets & Wine'.^[4]

Muthoni Ndonga, also known as Muthoni Drummer Queen (MDQ), is a dynamic Kenyan artist whose music blends Afrobeat, hip-hop, and electronic styles with profound storytelling. Her artistry is marked by her commitment to creating socially and politically conscious music, often reflecting on contemporary issues and championing feminism. MDQ's albums, including MDQ (2014) and She (2018), showcase her versatility as a rapper, singer, and drummer. She collaborated with Swiss producers Jean "Hook" Geissbuhler and Greg "GR!" Escoffey, pushing boundaries with a sound that balances African roots with modern electronic influences. Her album She is particularly celebrated for its narratives about women navigating various life challenges, such as love, entrepreneurship, and family dynamics​.^[5]

Her music frequently addresses themes of empowerment and justice. For instance, her song "Kenyan Message" critiques socio-political issues, drawing inspiration from events like the 2017 doctors' strike in Kenya while paying homage to Grandmaster Flash’s "The Message." This blend of cultural pride and activism underscores her artistic vision of amplifying African voices globally.​

Muthoni's creative process also includes her distinct performance style, which integrates traditional African drumming, further asserting her cultural identity in diverse spaces. She sees her music as an avenue for presenting a multifaceted image of Kenya and Africa to the world​.^[6]

Muthoni Ndonga, celebrated as Muthoni Drummer Queen (MDQ), has garnered critical acclaim for her boundary-pushing artistry. Her album She (2018) was praised for its compelling narratives on African feminism and modern womanhood, showcasing her ability to combine storytelling with innovative musical styles. MDQ's collaborations with Swiss producers Jean "Hook" Geissbuhler and Greg "GR!" Escoffey elevated her sound, earning her recognition in international music circles. She has also been acknowledged for her socially conscious tracks like "Kenyan Message," which critiques systemic issues while honoring classic rap traditions.

Muthoni Ndonga is a musical artist, but along with her successes in music, she found time to create an international music festival in 2008 called Blankets and Wine. Blankets and Wine is a music festival whose main agenda is highlighting less popular, and non-mainstream musicians in Africa. It started off being held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, but then became expanded by reoccurring in places such as Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.^[7] A sister festival was also created in 2017 called Africa Nouveau. Africa Nouveau is a 3-day festival similar to the Blankets and Wine but it focuses on Pan-Africanism through its creators and not just underground talent in Africa. ^[8]

Blankets and Wine provides vendors who sell different products such as clothing, food, and more. The areas for these fairs within the festival are called Blanket Soko and Onja Onja. Blanket Soko promotes fashion, photography, art, jewelry, tattoos, and more. Onja Onja is where versatile food vendors come and sell their food, whether it's vegan, vegetarian, or based on any other dietary preferences or needs.

Muthoni Ndonga, has won many awards throughout her musical career. The first award that Ndonga won was the "Urban Demo-tape Clinic" (2014). Followed by the "Most Stylish Female Artiste of the Year" at the Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards (2019). She also won the Swiss Live Talent Urban in the same year. In the year of 2020, Ndonga won the "Best Act, Romandie" award as well. Ndonga was also nominated for the "Best New Artist" at the East African MTV music awards.