K-Denk

Koang Deng Kun Kong is a South Sudanese born-Canada based[1] musician, songwriter, dancer and artist professionally known as K-Denk. He was born in Renk.[2][3][4]

K-Denk
Birth nameKoang Deng Kun Kong
BornRenk
OriginSouth Sudan
GenresFolk music, AfroPop, Hip hop, and Afro Beat
Occupation(s)musician,songwriter, artist
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2020-present
LabelsWangBoy Records

Music career

Denk began his music career in 2004 as a choir member in the Kakuma Presbyterian Church choir.[5][6] Denk took part in Tusker Project Fame 2010 representing South Sudan,[7] which was widely regarded as his breakout moment.[8][9] He has sung with other artists in the past.[10] In 2018, Denk went on a tour of South Sudanese refugee camps in Uganda and Kenya as part of an "outreach programme" for people affected by the South Sudanese civil war.[11] Denk's song Brighter Day was played over the radio to celebrate the 2018 ceasefire that brought an end to the civil war.[12]

Discography
Songs
Song Title Year
Ou kene Guut 2017
Guola n iwi da ping 2017
Wimuon 2017
Happy Wedding[13] 2017
Ruor Nyamar[14] 2017
Thieli paar[15] 2017
William Deng 2017
Guola Ni Wida[11] 2017
Kni ni dhiech[16] 2017
Thieli Chaot[17] 2017
Engu Geri[18] 2017
Ya Hobi[19] 2017
Bakaji Ft. Sweet Angel[20] 2017
Ou Kene Guut 2017
Enijin Kerua 2018
Beautiful Lady 2018
Ou ce jiek 2018
Rew 2018
My Babe 2018
Juzza 2018
Can't Wait To Love Another Day 2019
Ba Guor Ni Dupku 2019
Dance with You[21] 2019
Shine Up 2020
Hope There will be another day[22] 2020

Studio albums
List of Studio Albums
Title Year Label Format
William Deng October 21, 2017 WangBoy Music Record Label Digital download

Awards
  • In 2011, Denk won "Best HipHop Collaboration" and "HipHop Artist of the year" award at East Africa Kisima Music Awards.[23][24]
  • In 2019, he was nominated in the South Sudan Music Awards in "Best International Act" & Best Video of the Video "Jouza" categories.[25][26]

Personal life

Denk has 4 sisters and 1 brother. His father died in 1992 as a result of the Second Sudanese Civil War.[27] In 2013, Denk received significant attention when he openly declared his allegiance to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, posting a video where he brandished an assault rifle.[28][29] Denk later rescinded his support for the group, instead going back to music and declaring his support for a peaceful resolution to the South Sudanese Civil War.[30] Denk, between 2010 and 2013 attended Admas University Ethiopia, and in 2017 graduated with a diploma in music from Day Star University Nairobi, Kenya.[31][32]

References
  1. "K-Denk on why he gave up the gun for music". The Citizen. October 23, 2015.
  2. "Top 10 Best South Sudanese Artistes In 2018". Juba Eye. May 21, 2018.
  3. "Kenya: TPF Contestants to K Denk – Drop the Gun Stick to Music!". The Informer. February 10, 2014.
  4. "K-Deng surrenders the gun for the mic". Daily Nation. October 15, 2015.
  5. Ilado, Lucy (November 6, 2018). "South Sudanese Artist Goes on Refugee Tour". Media Africa.
  6. Ayo, Millard (February 8, 2014). "Msanii wa Project fame alieingia kwenye vita ya nchi, anasema Rais akiuwawa amani ndio itakuja". Millard Ayo (in Swahili).
  7. Nation Reporter (December 5, 2010). "Ugandan wins Sh5m Tusker Project Fame award". Daily Nation.
  8. Abeka, Moses (December 17, 2018). "South Sudanese music finds a voice in East Africa". Music in Africa.
  9. Muchiri, John (February 5, 2014). "Is K-Denk fighting in South Sudan?". Nairobi News.
  10. "K-Denk teamed up with Canadian based female artist on new track 'Bakaji'". Hot in Juba. 28 February 2016.
  11. Ilado, Lucy (November 9, 2018). "South Sudanese artist goes on refugee tour". The Southern Times. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  12. Long, Jack (May 7, 2019). "PH.D. Student Studies Music And Conflict In Ethiopia". The Lantern. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  13. "K-Denk ~ Happy Wedding (Official Video)". October 29, 2016 – via YouTube.
  14. "K-Denk – RUOR NYIMAR (Official Music Video)". May 17, 2017 – via YouTube.
  15. "K-Denk – THIELI CHAAT/ PAAR ( OFFICIAL VIDEO )". November 3, 2017 – via YouTube.
  16. "K-Denk – KE NIN DHIECH ( OFFICIAL HD VIDEO ) WANGDUNKON MUSIC". March 15, 2016 – via YouTube.
  17. "K-Denk – THIELI CHAAT/ PAAR ( OFFICIAL VIDEO )". August 2, 2017 – via YouTube.
  18. "K-Denk – Engu Gori (Official Video)". August 2, 2017 – via YouTube.
  19. "K-Denk – Ya Hobi (Official Video)". August 2, 201 – via YouTube.
  20. "K-Denk ft Sweet Angel – Bakaji (Official Video)". August 2, 2017 – via YouTube.
  21. "[PHOTOS] K-Denk shoots new music video worth 5000 USD". May 20, 2018.
  22. "Sensational South Sudanese Rapper K-Denk Releases a New Single – Hope in Canada". South Sudan Business. April 6, 2020.
  23. "K-Denk aacha silaha, ashika Mic | East Africa Television". EATV.
  24. "TPF contestants to K denk: Drop the gun stick to music!". Africa News Hub. February 10, 2014 – via The Star.
  25. "SOUTH SUDAN MUSIC AWARDS 2019 FINAL NOMINEES LIST". South Sudan Music Awards.
  26. "Full list of the winners of 2019 South Sudan music awards". South Sudan Business. December 27, 2019.
  27. Jumatatu (May 19, 2014). "K-Denk akiri alipotoka kuasi". East African Television (in Swahili).
  28. Admin (February 7, 2014). "Former Tusker Project Fame contestant K-Denk Joins the Rebel Ranks in South Sudan". The Informer.
  29. "K-Denk back in Kenya from South Sudan conflict". Nairobi News. June 28, 2015.
  30. "Rapper K-Denk: I'm no longer a rebel". Hot in Juba. September 29, 2019 – via Talk of Juba.
  31. Kong, Koang Den Kun. "K-DENK: Artist, Musician, and Actor in South Sudan". About Me.
  32. Kamau, Richard (March 20, 2014). "K-Denk Finally Drops His AK-47 For The Mic". Nairobi Wire. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
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