Daniel Kamau Mwai, often known simply as "DK," is a highly influential Kenyan musician, celebrated as a pioneer of Kikuyu popular music, particularly within the Benga genre. Born in February 1949 in Gatanga, Murang'a District, Central Kenya, he began playing the guitar as a teenager, learning from his older brothers. He had an unexpected debut performance at a village Christmas party where he impressed the departing audience by playing alone after his siblings got into a brawl. DK came to Nairobi seeking a recording deal and released his first record in 1968. His major breakthrough came in 1970 with the smash-hit "Murata/I Love You," a song which blended rumba and benga, becoming one of the first Kikuyu pop recordings to gain widespread national popularity. A prolific artist, DK has written and recorded over 1,000 songs throughout his career. He was instrumental in altering and expanding the rhythms of Gikuyu popular music, often integrating influences from other forms. Beyond his musical achievements, he also served as a civic councillor for the Gatanga ward from 1979 to 1992. He also established his own studio and record label, DK Nguvu Sounds (later DK Undugu Sound), which helped foster the careers of other musicians. Although some of his songs, like "Nana" and "Mwithua," faced temporary bans from the state radio due to alleged obscenity, DK's career has spanned over four decades, during which he has remained a vital force in the Kenyan music scene.