Princess Jully

In 1997, Princess Jully stood on an empty stage in a Nairobi club, grappling with the sudden loss of her husband, Prince Jully. His death left not only a personal void but also a gap in the popular ‘Jolly Boys Band’. In this moment of grief and uncertainty, Princess Jully emerged from the shadows of backup singers to claim her place as the ‘Queen of Ohangla music’.

Born Julia Achieng in Kisumu, Kenya, her extraordinary voice first caught the ear of Prince Jully, the band leader of JBB, who later became her husband. As she joined the band, Princess Jully played a pivotal role in transforming Ohangla music—a genre rooted in the traditional rhythms of the Luo, East Africa's largest ethnic group—by infusing it with modern, contemporary sounds.

After her husband's passing, Princess Jully took over the band's leadership and propelled it to even greater heights. Her hit song "Dunia Mbaya" was a game changer, cementing her fame and taking the band’s popularity to new levels. Her career spans numerous albums, including "Aneno Lek" and "Wangni Wabiro" in 2007.

A fierce advocate for social and political causes, her music is often intertwined with activism. "Wangni Wabiro" supported the Orange Democratic Movement during Kenya's 2005 constitutional referendum, while her 2010 song "Joluo Migingo to Dhi" tackled the hotly contested Migingo Island, a small but strategic piece of land in Lake Victoria, claimed by both Kenya and Uganda.

Beyond her music, Princess Jully remains a cultural force. She founded Jully Productions to nurture young, up-and-coming artists, and was part of the "Divas of the Nile" supergroup, performing internationally at events like Festival Mundial in the Netherlands.

Princess Jully’s contributions to music and society are deeper than just a nice ‘vibe’. Through her songs, she has consistently empowered women, addressed critical social issues, and preserved the cultural heritage of the Luo people—all while crafting melodies that continue to inspire and resonate across generations. She has done a lot more through her songs than our so-called “Politicians”.

~Maryam J-K Gadzama, Chief Editor, 24/25 Committee