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BIT BIO
NAME: Karen Lucas
GENDER: Female
AGE: 25
BIRTHDAY: 1983
SIGN: Virgo
BIRTH PLACE: Nairobi, Kenya
STAGE NAME: KAZ
JOB: Singer, Actress, T.V Presenter
GENRE: Afro-Fusion
RECORD LABEL: Samawati Records
BASE: Lavignton, Nairobi


Biography
Karen Lucas is known to millions of television viewers across Africa as Kaz from the hit TV reality show Project Fame. She alternatively endeared and enraged fans with her quirky yet often controversial antics. Her vivacious nature, charismatic stage presence, coupled with her mesmerizing soulful vocals impressed the board of judges ultimately leading her to be one of the last to be voted off. She attended primary school at St. Andrews Turi where she actively participated in musical productions including the school choir and theatrical productions as well as taking interests in musical instruments such as the piano, African drums and flute. Her passion for the piano- in particular- and long hours of practice paid off when Kaz was awarded a certificate signed by the queen of England for graduating top of her class by a landslide. She later joined Braeside high school and in spite of her family's financial difficulties she continued in her path to success in the music field. Driven by her determination and guided by her innate talent, Kaz was promoted to musical director of the high school choir and won the award for best musician /actress. Her high school studies and extra curricular activities notwithstanding, at the age of 14, Kaz amazed thousands during her first public appearance at the carnivore grounds, alongside Grammy award -winning rapper Coolio where she took the title for best overall rapper at an impromptu rapping competition held during his concert in Nairobi. This opened doors for bigger and better things to come.



Career
Kaz recorded her first single K-A-Z with the legendary Kenyan producer Tedd Josiah. Her song slowly moved its way up the East African charts to land in the top 10. Not bad for a first try. By the time Kaz had completed her O levels and moved onto Baeburn high school to sit her A levels, she was the youngest Kenyan artist to perform live with the likes of Ian Mbugua, Mercy Myra, and Zanaziki at her first professional concert Love Jams which was one of Kenya's first street concerts to feature live music. Shortly after that, Kaz was hired at a local hotspot by the name of Zanze Bar where she worked part time as a karaoke hostess for one and a half years. By the time she was done with her A levels, she had graced the stage severally at a number of renowned Nairobi venues including, carnivore, safari park, The Barn. At the tender age of 19, Kaz felt the urge to move forward in her career. She joined a band and caught the attention of many with her powerful yet sensual renditions culminating in an offer to host the wildly popular karaoke night at Nairobi's hotel intercontinental. Together with her job, Kaz got involved with the phoenix players to pursue her other love, theatre. Spurred on by the overwhelmingly positive audience response from both her singing and acting, Kaz auditioned for the then unknown reality TV show Project Fame. The rest as they say is history and eight months later Kaz was on her way to South Africa. Now at 25 she has gained massive popularity and recently received an East African Kisima award for Afro fusion artist of the year 2005 as well as an All Africa Kora Award for most promising female artist in Africa. She traveled to several countries including Zambia, Nigeria and Ghana to perform at different concerts. She has over the past year been working in advertising as a copywriter as well as an events coordinator and has ran several big campaigns including the 2006 Nairobi Women's hospital campaign and the 2006 Brest cancer campaign Think pink. With her album, she plans to re-visit these countries amongst others and spread her Kenyan culture throughout the African continent using her distinct and original technique of song writing, singing and performing.




Love Life
Although she caused some controvey will in the Project Fame house none of the 'relationships' seen in the house ever materialized. In mid 2007 nude pictures of her famously started doing their rounds in the internet. The photos were said to have been taken by her ex-boyfriend when they were still toghether and were never intended for the public domain. She appealed through the local media to internet users to simply stop forwading the pictures through e-mails and preserve her dignity as they were causing unrest to her and her family. Though she laid low after the insident she didn't quit from the public eye and still continous to host her local music show 'Tafrija' on Kenyas Citizen TV.




Inspiration / Influences

As she puts it herself Kaz is influenced by anything from the continent, the African one that is: Angelique Kidjo, Lokua Kanza, Richard Bona, Miriam makeba, General Toto, Salif Keiter, Eric Wainaina, Kaz ....



Awards / Recognitions

Kisima Award 2005 - Afro fusion artist of the Year

Kora Award 2005 - Most Promising female artist in Africa

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