tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29015073113514762362024-03-05T03:11:22.794-08:00Kikuyu MusiciansWe profile journeys of famed Kikuyu Musicians gospel or secular. We post their brief biographies with their stories to stardom. There are also videos of their latest music.kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-31600222876085138942014-03-24T11:15:00.000-07:002014-03-24T11:15:03.208-07:00Beatrice Wangui (Jordan): From sleeping on the floor to excelling in Kikuyu Gospel Music<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In Kikuyu Music, Beatrice Wangui is
nicknamed Jordan after the title of her 2002 debut hit album. Born
in Kanyenyaini, Muranga County, the young Wangui had a natural talent
in music as she grew up, in late 70s and early 80s. Then, she was
the lead singer at youth camps organized by churches and at primary
school festivals. What was evident at that young age was, Wangui had
a natural talent to compose original songs that were sung at
weddings, church events or music festivals. </div>
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I’d just sit down and God would give
me ideas on what to compose,” Wangui told Kikuyu Musicians. Later
on she taught her peers to sing the songs she composed. She also
credits her music teacher Mr. Gitau who gave her vocal training. A
song like Jordan, which later got recorded in her debut album Wangui
recalls she wrote it when young. “I never thought those songs could
be produced,” Wangui said. </div>
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<b>Meeting Nebster Muhiko</b></div>
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After class 8 due to lack of fees and
family problems Wangui’s formal education halted. With no further
formal educational prospects, she joined her mother in picking tea as
a casual laborer until 2000. She left home for her brother’s place
in Nairobi. By then, songs that later were in the Jordan album, were
being sung in Churches in Muranga before they were recorded. While
at her brother’s place, she bumped on Nebster Muhiko a renowned
gospel musician who was hawking his cassettes. </div>
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Wangui longed to have her music
produced and she be selling it. She approached Muhiko for advice on
having her music produced. Less than a week later, Muhiko auditioned
her to see if she could sing and was so impressed they did a duet on
one of his songs “My Husband” after 3 days of rehearsal. Muhiko
approached Joestar Productions and asked them to produce Wangui’s
songs. Her mother gave her 20,000 to pay for the recording but the
quality didn’t impress her. </div>
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<b>Debut Album Jordan</b></div>
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She re-recorded the whole Jordan album
in 2002 and the VCD was released in 2005. The title song inspiration
came from a preaching Wangui heard at a young age, on the story of
Naman the leper king dipping himself on the Jordan River 7 times to
be healed. The Jordan album was an instant debut hit and to date she
has sold over 100,000 copies. That instant success from a first
album made her realize it’s GOD who anoints one with favor and it’s
not much about hard work.</div>
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“I know musicians who sing 5 albums and
are it’s their 6<sup>th </sup>that is recognized just wait on GOD,”
noted Wangui. Her follow up album to the debut was a
Kigooco (praise) album that added modernity to traditional Kikuyu
spiritual gospel songs. Her third album <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLzC32Sf1ko" target="_blank">Nikii Giki Wonire (what did you see)<b> </b></a>also hit. The title song, driven by a Keyboard riff
from Njoroge Wa Keyboard sold and gave her lots of money. The title
song, came about after she realized a friend she got saved with at a
young age, and with whom they prayed together had backslid and gone
to drinking and promiscuity. </div>
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“It broke my heart to see her in that
state, and in a way the song is directed to all backsliders though
that lady life inspired the composition,” said Wangui. She
recalls, her and the lady making promises to God when they were young
at youth camps that if GOD blessed them, they would tithe and take
care of the widows and orphans. The album garnered her money in
millions of shillings and she bought her first car, a plot and built
her home with 5 bedrooms. Until today, the album still sells at her
music shop at Simba Centre River Road Nairobi. </div>
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<b>Composition through Experiences</b></div>
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To Wangui composing comes naturally,
she gets the message or theme of the song first and the melody comes
later automatically. “It’s a gift from GOD,” she adds. Most of
her songs like ‘Niunumbuyagia Mwathani’ are on encouragement and
draw inspiration from things she witnesses. In Jordan album, she
sang a song ‘Ona Warumwo’ (even if taunted), after she visited a
home where a mother in law publicly mocked her son’s wife, because
she wanted him to marry another lady from a rich family unlike the
one from a poor family she married. The song was directed to the lady
to trust GOD amidst her tribulations.
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Wangui’s own experiences have also
served to inspire compositions. In her album <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpHWg8E2TzY" target="_blank">Giki No Kiambiriria</a>
(This is a start) the title song and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMBoR4HmTRU" target="_blank">Tiga Niwe Mwathani (Were it not for You Lord) </a>song are her story. After she began to be blessed she
some friends start to gossip and get jealous of her. “Some friends
I’d helped hated me not because I wronged them,” Wangui said.
That inspired Wangui to compose Giki no KIambiriria, to illustrate
this is just a beginning of God’s blessings with many more to come,
and she won’t look back or stop praising because of jealousy.
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Tiga Niwe song in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpHWg8E2TzY" target="_blank">Giki no Kiambiriria album</a> also came through an experience. After she moved out of her
brother’s home, she got reluctantly housed by her mom’s friend.
But on the third week she was chased out subtly. Wangui recalls she
used to sleep on the couch in the living room. One day the lady home
owner woke her up at 5am, and told her there would be visitors who
would sleepover. Wangui asked if she could come back in the evening,
the lady home owner told her no, because the visitors would be there
for days. That day, she went back to the village and joined her
mother in picking tea there as she hawked some of her cassettes.
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<b>Sleeping on Cartons on the Floor and
Power of Prayer</b></div>
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With the money she accumulated, Wangui
came back to Nairobi, and rented a one room house in Huruma estate.
On that house for 4 weeks, she slept on hard cartons spread on the
floor and covered herself with a leso. She had borrowed the cartons
from an Asian trader until she got money for a mattress. During the
day she hawked cassettes. Still, she admits she loved life and was
happy and content she had her own house and independence. Since
earlier days a friend in earlier days had chased her out of a house
they shared.
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“Those who know me and my home today,
don’t believe when I tell them I slept on cartons on the floor, GOD
has blessed me,” said Wangui. That inspired her to compose Tiga
Niwe song. Wangui says people should not despise themselves due to
lack of education or coming from poor backgrounds. “I know GOD can
mould Your life, educated or not if You have faith in HIM, this is
me,” she adds. She also attributes her success to a prayer
lifestyle as there are instances man may not be of help due to
jealousy or biases. “Tell GOD what You desire,” she said.
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<b>Advice to Budding Musicians</b></div>
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To avoid frustrations of finding the
right studio, Wangui advices budding musicians like from the village
to connect with musicians whose music they like. With her she
connected with Muhiko but with time got to know better quality
recording studios. “I knew I could sing and my motive was for
people to get God’s message through my songs,” said Wangui.
Money according to Wangui, shouldn’t be motivate a gospel musician
as ministering is what matters most. “Be patient and You will be
rewarded by GOD even amidst piracy since GOD’s land never lacks
harvests,” said Wangui.
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She also urges one to go to gospel
music only if it’s a calling from God not with aim of getting money
like other established musicians. “Many have come with different
motives and ended up disappointed,” said Wangui. Having been
established as a gospel musician, she mentors and does backup vocals
for other upcoming ones like Jane Mumenya, Milkah Irungu and Maggy
Francis. She also sells their new music at her shop at Simba Centre
which she has operated since 2004. And distributes the music through
her car to reach more people and curtail the influence of pirates.
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<b>Her Future Aims</b></div>
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Her aim in coming years, it to start a
music production studio to record other new musicians, currently she
records at Dede records. However Wangui prefers to record at various
studios to get different sounds. Niki Giki Wonire was recorded by
<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2014/03/john-chege-from-humble-beginnings-t" target="_blank">John Chege</a> of Strongpoint Media. To grow artistically in her music
craft, she listens to other more established musicians to learn. She
has also collaborated with Muigai Wa Njoroge and Muhiko in an album
title Crisis 1 and 2 highlighting issues of IDPs in Kenya.
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<b>Elevation to Elite Platforms</b></div>
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Through music Wangui has gotten to
perform for current Kenya’s President Uhuru. Every Friday to Sunday
she sings at events like overnight prayer meetings, weddings and
Sunday church services. Lately every Friday with <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/08/ngaruiya-junior-from-rebellious-drug_2350.html" target="_blank">Ngaruiya Junior</a>,
Njoroge wa Keyboard, Triza Wangui and Makumbi Pilot they do a praise
show at Kameme FM hosted by Kamau wa Kamlesh. To Wangui, she
considers that it’s GOD who chose them to be in that platform,
since they were chosen from a big pool.</div>
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Besides music, she acts as ‘Wagacuma’
and produces Christian themed plays with the likes of veteran River
Road actor, Wandahuhu, Githendu and Nyakirata. Even when young she
used to act in school plays. Those plays centre on God giving
victory in every situation one goes through. Wangui runs a group
caring for orphans and widows and urges fans to join her in that
ministry. “Its what I promises GOD I’d do if HE uplifted me,
besides tithing and HE has,” she said.</div>
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Besides GOD, Wangui appreciates her
fans even in Diaspora buying her music and are blessed by it. She
urges those outside Kenya, to invite her to minister in crusades or
churches, and prays that GOD gives them their hearts desires. She is
also a mother to a son who is a hardware trader in Ruiru town, and a
daughter who works closely with her in gospel music ministry. Wangui
is highly appreciative of her mom who always encouraged her and gave
her money to record her first album. “I love her so much she is my
second god,” she said smiling. Contact Wangui at
<a href="mailto:nikiiwonire@gmail.com">nikiiwonire@gmail.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/kikuyumusicians">www.facebook.com/kikuyumusicians</a>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/kikuyumusicians">www.twitter.com/kikuyumusicians</a></div>
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kikuyumusicians@gmail.com
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-44967732673585931842014-03-08T03:22:00.000-08:002014-03-08T03:22:00.821-08:00John Chege: From humble beginnings to producing Kikuyu Gospel Music heavyweights
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik9mRWnNhVWapQEh69xJYwbLOneg2f4v-NkKZgYHV6MH-4b5ikA29OeIbcBqcu6TKqWLbk4qJdT5spvPgGfgWJNZbsZQ1mnlSZYubmXVBfyZTBi44pr34M6XL8ROx-8xTTUO6O7p1KvIA/s1600/SAM_3846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik9mRWnNhVWapQEh69xJYwbLOneg2f4v-NkKZgYHV6MH-4b5ikA29OeIbcBqcu6TKqWLbk4qJdT5spvPgGfgWJNZbsZQ1mnlSZYubmXVBfyZTBi44pr34M6XL8ROx-8xTTUO6O7p1KvIA/s1600/SAM_3846.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strongpoint Studios</td></tr>
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Since 2004, John Chege of Strongpoint
Digital Media in Rwaka, has distinguished himself as the go to, music
producer among established and upcoming Kikuyu Gospel Musicians. To
date by his estimation he has produced around 3000 gospel musicians.
His production credits, has the who is who in Kikuyu Gospel Music
like PJ Kongo, Jane Muthoni, Ann Kariuki, Carol Wanjiru, <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/05/nd-githuka-ahiurania-hit-maker-shares.html" target="_blank">ND Githuka</a>,
Hezeh Ndungu, Dennis Mutara, <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/06/mc-wa-nguvu-jeremy-damaris-on-lifes.html" target="_blank">Jeremy Damaris,</a> Beatrice Wangui
(Jordan), Solomon Nganga, Shiru wa GP and others. </div>
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<b>Early Starts and Musical Exposure</b></div>
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Yet for this soft spoken man, his early
beginnings in life, music and eventually production were humble and
required faith. Born in Kangema, Muranga, he relocated with his mom
to Banana, Kiambu when he was 7 years. The relocation in 1985,
exposed him to a church with instruments unlike ones he attended
earlier in Rwathia village, Kangema. By 1992 on completing class 8,
he began dabbling with musical instruments and gadgets like mixers at
Restoration Victory Ministries Banana, where he attended. </div>
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“Anything musical had a pull on me
and fascinated me,” Chege recalls. That exposure enabled him to
learn how to control solo and choir voices in a mixer. Also, as a
self taught bass and keyboard player, he could detect when songs were
sang on or off key. “God had placed me there for a reason, I
realized later” Chege told Kikuyu Musicians. Controlling the
instruments on mixers gave him an early idea on what a studio
requires, to be fully functional. </div>
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<b>Early production forays </b>
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At one of the Church’s youth retreat
Chege met Paul Mbugua, of Ndakinyite Beshrani fame, who informed him,
on use of computers to record music. That realization, bugged his
conscience and he thought of buying a computer and trying it, but
could not afford one. Early 2004 with Mbugua tutelage in a small
house he could barely afford rent of Shs800, in Banana, they borrowed
basic recording machines. There, Chege recorded his debut album
“Nikwari Mundu” on Job’s tribulations. He followed it up with
a quick launch in April 2004, which netted him Shs37, 000. </div>
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After paying all debts he owed like
rent, he was left with Shs26, 000 and bought a desktop computer he
uses to record to date. His foray to mainstream production and
recognition began after meeting PJ Kongo who added to Chege’s
musical knowledge. Chege had never studied computers formally, but
learned to operate it by using his’ Bishop Michael Chege’s
computer. Kongo introduced him to Fruity Loops music programming
software. For 6 months he produced Kongo’s “Raha Ciathi” album
in his home makeshift studio, using a church microphone plugged to an
old cassette deck to capture vocals. </div>
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<b>Production Breakthrough</b></div>
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The song became a hit after Joe Rugano
then of Kameme FM, played it after being impressed by its digital
quality production. “Then it was rare for Kikuyu Gospel Music to
digitally produced, most studios produced with live instruments,”
recalls Chege. People who heard Kongo’s song, begun enquiring where
it was recorded. “Musicians begun flocking to us, and always got
shocked since they expected to find a huge recording studio, with
pricy equipments,” said Chege. Since there was no recording booth
they would start near the computer and sing. “If there was an
interruption we recorded again,” Chege recalls.</div>
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<b>Importance of Focus and Single
Mindedness </b>
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Solomon Nganga followed and recorded
his debut album ‘Ngai atua itua niegukurathima.’ Today Chege
acknowledges Strongpoint Media is where it is, because of those
humble beginnings. In growing his studio Chege admits its taken
faith, focus and single mindedness. When he decided to be a
producer, he closed a milk kiosk that guaranteed him some basic
income, to focus all his strengths in the then, fledgling Strongpoint
Media. “My mother thought I’d gone mad, since the studio didn’t
earn me anything then,” Chege recalls he had unpaid rent arrears
and ate food, at his mom's place. </div>
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Still, his passion kept him going. A
vital lesson he learned is the importance of avoiding distractions
when pursuing one’s passion. “I feel we Africans, dabble in so
many things at once, than focus on a single goal, and give it 100
percent,” he said. Even when initial outcomes of a venture may not
be promising, Chege urges people not to quit. “I never gave up
though I knew Capital required to start a studio is much,” he
recalls. The story of Moses encouraged Chege, when Moses was asked
by GOD what he had in his hand, when he had a rod. Chege is still
attached to that computer he uses to date. “It’s only the screen
I’ve changed and rather than lose it, I upgrade it,” said Chege
sentimentally.</div>
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Chege attributes his success to prayer,
honesty and GOD. “If I ever walk away from GOD that will be my
downfall, God started this,” he said. Before an album project
commences, they pray for it with the musician, and every morning
before he starts producing. Also he listens to aspirations the
musicians have for how their albums will sound like. “As a
producer, I can’t stifle his creativity my role is to make
suggestions, and correct errors if I interfere, I could stop the
album being a hit,” said Chege. </div>
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<b>Producing Shiru wa GP’s Agiginyani</b></div>
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This is the way they worked on Shiru wa
GP monster guitar driven hit album “Agiginyani.” Shiru came up
with ideas for guitar; Chege sourced the session guitarist best
fitting the album in Utukufu. He also ensured they were recorded to
improve the song, not take anything away. His belief is, if he
engages a musician in the creative process, they will all be
satisfied in the final project. He remembers once, Jane Muthoni came
with a song that had been recorded 4 times without her satisfaction.
He listened to what she wanted, and recorded it once and she was
happy with it. </div>
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<b>Production Philosophy </b>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Each day in his studio he books one
musician daily, so that he perfects the production and delivers on
time. “If I do one great job today it guarantees me a future as a
producer,” emphasized Chege. He is also a firm believer in peer
consulting not being a know it all producer. Where he feels
cooperation with a producer or an instrumentalist will improve the
album, he engages them. That ensures every album produced is unique
and doesn’t sound like another out in market. “At the end the
musician is satisfied and listeners love what came out,” said
Chege. To finish an album takes him 1.5 weeks, and he charges from
Shs5000 onwards for each song produced. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For the last 3 years, Chege has been
working with students interested in learning music production from
him. He also has enrolled to study music production at a college,
having never studied it formally. He urges budding producers to
learn to play instruments, as that way, they can easily spot errors
in instrumentation and understand their coordination with vocals.
This father of a boy and a girl also urges producers not to be driven
by money. But focus more on moulding, even a least talented musician,
to be a success and leave the uplifting matters to GOD. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Contact Us on <a href="mailto:kikuyumusicians@gmail.com">kikuyumusicians@gmail.com</a>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0Nairobi, Kenya-1.2920659 36.821946199999957-1.5460579 36.499222699999955 -1.0380739 37.144669699999959tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-40068880401354347592014-03-06T09:13:00.002-08:002014-03-12T03:13:36.404-07:00John Muchira: Githaa kia Ngai Hitmaker on music made from Kirinyaga<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
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<b> </b>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ever Jovial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Among all 5 counties making up Central
Province in Kenya, Kirinyaga County has for years, had the lowest
number of recorded Kikuyu Musicians. However John Muchira, of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwG8oHMcTac" target="_blank">GithaaKia Ngai</a>, fame is among the indigenous Kirinyaga musicians, reversing
that trend by singing and being good at it. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Early Beginnings</b></div>
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Born in Kiandae Village in Gichugu, the
33 year old musician loved singing from a young age, and had to be
forcibly removed from Kiandae Catholic church choir, as he was eager
to sing with them. At times the choirmaster allowed a young Muchira
to sing with them on noticing his musical passion. By class 6, he
was a percussionist for Githage Primary School band. “I played the
shaker,” recalls Muchira and loved listening to songs by Elizabeth
Nyambere and Joseph Kamaru. </div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>High School</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After primary school, he joined Kangaru
High School in Embu and Muchira’s talent blossomed. He led as
soloist, folk and traditional Kikuyu songs in music festivals, and
took up instructor roles when their teacher was unavailable. In Form
3, he was made senior choirmaster, and one poignant moment from then,
was quickly assembling a choir to sing for former President Moi, who
was passing by. He missed two Geography lessons as they hastily
rehearsed. “Then, Moi used to dish out money if made happy,”
Muchira remembers laughing. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Unfortunately, His zeal for music and
arts was not shared by his parents, as they saw no hope of making a
living from it in future. In fact Muchira had a backup plan to be an
electrician after high school as he loved staring at electrical
transformers. “My parents wanted me to struggle with difficult
sciences so I could end up in a “respectable career” like a
doctor or engineer.” Muchira told Kikuyu Musicians. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On his final
year at high school he got a C Minus grade. Muchira’s father gave
up on him as he deemed the grade too low to get him into any
respectable tertiary college then. He had to fend for himself and
that included, picking coffee as a casual laborer for a year.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Joining Kayamba Africa</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That time he survived on musical
tutoring jobs he got from his home catholic church as an assistant
choir trainer. “I’d now train people who sang when I was a young
boy,” he remembers. Time to time Muchira was sponsored to attend
musical training seminars conducted by “Mitarakwa Ya Lebanon”
composer where he mastered sheet music. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Coming to Nairobi, he joined
a music centre led by a Kenyatta University lecturer Mr Ogola and got
further training at Kenya Conservatoire of Music. He ended up with a
Diploma in Music and in 2000, joined the famed Kayamba Africa. There
he got experience under training of Mr. Keya. “Kayamba had not
splintered then,” recalls Muchira. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Through the 1500shs Muchira got from
Kayamba Africa, singing at ceremonies like weddings, he could pay
rent at Mathare North. Since he had sufficient musical experience,
he formed the 20 member, Tarumbeta Africa Choir. Through it, they
rearranged traditional Kikuyu songs and sang them at ceremonies as he
continued training church choirs. One of the first paychecks they
got as members was at a wedding in Kariobangi South, where as six
members earned 500shs each in 2003. </div>
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<b>Birthing Githaa Kia Ngai</b></div>
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That confirmed to him that they were
not badly off as Tarumbeta Africa. As songs they sang they didn’t
have copyrights, he opted to compose his own. That birthed his debut
album <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwG8oHMcTac" target="_blank">Githaa Kia Ngai (God’s Timing)</a> which took years to mature
until recording in 2009. At Dede records where the album was cut, it
took 6 months to complete it as he recorded when money was available.
It cost him around Shs180,000 plus shooting the accompanying videos. </div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The title song ‘Githaa Kia Ngai’ he
wrote it as a personal encouragement due to hardships he went through
with his friends. “It’s a song urging people to trust GOD,”
said Muchira. He recalls he got the message first then the melody
later, though it took months to fine tune the song. The album has
other songs addressing handling of marriage conflicts and importance
of communication. “See if the family is sorted, the society will be
okay,” advises Muchira. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Composition Motivation and Advice</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
His motivation to those who listen to
his music is to give them hope and urge them, to thank GOD for life,
regardless of what they go through. Currently (2014) Muchira is
working on follow up album as the first one approach nearly 3000
copies in sales. His advice to budding gospel musicians is being
resilient and have right motives when in gospel music, even if they
don’t get instant breakthrough.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing Githaa</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“If the album flops, don’t stop
singing if GOD, gave You the message,” he adds. Still he adds the
album needs to be produced in a good studio and be of quality.
Muchira also advises budding musicians to allow songs they compose to
be critiqued by established luminaries. “<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/07/ben-githae-mabataro-makwa-hit-maker.html" target="_blank">Ben Githae</a> does that to
my songs and even music tutors to ensure they are fine,” said
Muchira. He also cautions on fame and money getting into ones head,
after being successful as that leads to a quick downfall. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Notable Performances</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some notable performances he has done
were at Kariobangi PCEA Church, Kimunye ACK Church at Martha Karua’s
thanksgiving, and PCEA Memorial Church Thika at a wedding. Still he
yearns to minister in US or UK where his mentors like Ben Githae,
Loise Kim and Charles Kingori have gone. His aim in coming years, is
to be releasing 2 albums yearly not only in Kikuyu language but
Swahili and English. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Besides music, Muchira has been a
Master of Ceremonies (MC) since 2006 which he ventured on noticing
gaps existing in that sector, after attending many occasions. He
also believes Kirinyaga musicians can sing as well as others from
Central Kenya. His immediate aim is to release one album in the near
future, purely sang in Kirinyaga dialect. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To get to where he is, Muchira is
grateful to DJ Macjoj who put his videos on Youtube, and presenters
Jeff Kuria of Inooro FM, Evans Wanyoike of Kameme FM and KK of Coro
FM who got his music on air. In addition he is grateful to his encouraging mum and his wife and skeptical Dad gradually appreciating his music. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Reach Muchira on kikuyumusicians@gmail.com </div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0Nairobi, Kenya-1.2920659 36.821946199999957-1.5460579 36.499222699999955 -1.0380739 37.144669699999959tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-26683542704906650112013-11-09T08:39:00.000-08:002013-11-09T14:14:40.857-08:00Salim Young: On growing up in Salim musical family and future hopes<style type="text/css">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCejFjbKxX0gjWSoR716W3XH0giWFtLxEr8NJAeJLDTaB0Ye9kd2OkZ2rwWSLZP11Koc4xJ_MOaVPd04BnmDP6lBDrd-iHWqDkDxD60WfyKjokM6tHQVmj-gQTR0obsAjyasLMJi-Y8i5/s1600/salimyoung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCejFjbKxX0gjWSoR716W3XH0giWFtLxEr8NJAeJLDTaB0Ye9kd2OkZ2rwWSLZP11Koc4xJ_MOaVPd04BnmDP6lBDrd-iHWqDkDxD60WfyKjokM6tHQVmj-gQTR0obsAjyasLMJi-Y8i5/s200/salimyoung.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Laban Kinuthia Salim who goes by the
stage name Salim Young, is a scion of the famous guitar playing Salim
family from Subukia, Nakuru. The family is largely credited with
introducing to Kenya, the concept of playing One Man Guitar or
Mugithi in entertainment spots accompanied by a drummer. The Salim
family has produced the likes of Salim Junior, Mighty Salim, Sarafina
Salim and now Salim Young.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Early Musical Starts</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This family of eight with Salim Young
born in 1990, the youngest of brothers was introduced to music by
their Dad, Salim Senior, today a Private School Entrepreneur and
Instrument’s tutor in Subukia. Like his singing siblings Salim
Young was inspired by Dad who sang gospel. Contrary to popular
belief, neither of his family members were Muslims due to the name
Salim. Their Dad chose to be addressed by it as he wanted a name
without many people. “We all now use it as our surname, it stuck,”
chuckles Salim.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Early Musical Influences and Guitar
Practice</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcN_mmNn4PWF_E1JJUmMltIFaG5HcH0FgJIFP48PidmBSJNNXJHSP91ZnI5doOCte8MphoXzRxpEeCjXxIMnHwyFVYjcYClfaOdHg4q-n4ya6TZDSKABScgmIodNdJQDNGcaOckt2WKUOR/s1600/salimagain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcN_mmNn4PWF_E1JJUmMltIFaG5HcH0FgJIFP48PidmBSJNNXJHSP91ZnI5doOCte8MphoXzRxpEeCjXxIMnHwyFVYjcYClfaOdHg4q-n4ya6TZDSKABScgmIodNdJQDNGcaOckt2WKUOR/s200/salimagain.jpg" width="200" /></a>Besides the Dad, Salim Young was was
inspired by music of the late great Sammy Muraya of Subukia Success
band. “That man’s songs inspired me a lot I remember seeing him
when I was younger,” recalled Salim Young. Then Salim Junior
worked at Sammy Muraya’s studio in River Road. Salim Young recalls
picking the guitar and learning to play a tune when in nursery
school. To learn he tapped what his Dad and elder brothers taught
him, but admits to perfect his skills has taken dedication and
discipline.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Studying in high school Salim Young
awoke at 5am and before going to school practiced for 30 minutes.
Their home due to their Dad’s musical inclinations had instruments
like an accordion, keyboards and a recording studio. “I accessed
the guitar at a very early age,” Salim Young recalls. That
exposure, research and practice aided him to learn various guitar
chords and styles growing up in Subukia.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Producer and Session Guitar Player</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today Salim Young plays Mugithi and on
tracks of other musicians like his sister and band mate Sarafina
Salim. He also plays keyboards, bass and lead guitar and has done
production at<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/04/kuruga-wa-wanjiku-on-musical-stardom.html" target="_blank"> Kuruga wa Wanjiku’s</a> studio. Though still budding in
music, Salim Young admits One Man Guitar shows pay his bills though
they pay less. They have also formed a band with his elder Sister
Sarafina, and perform Mugithi together with him, playing lead and
rhythm guitar.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Debut Gospel Album and Performances</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now on cusp of releasing his first self
produced gospel album, ‘Tondu wi Hinya’ Salim Young is studying
Business Management and Entrepreneurship online so he can juggle the
recording. Though coming from a rich background of One Man Guitar
and Mugithi players, Salim Young admits being drawn to gospel music
due to his mother’s godly influence, from a young age. Still on
weekends, he performs at Trotters Club in Kenol , Muranga but has
performed in Mombasa, Karatina, Banana and Manyatta.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Though not yet complete, ‘Ngatho’
one of the songs in the album done in Chakacha style is receiving
airplay at Inooro FM. But Salim Young expects Tondu wi Hinya and
Nindoka Mbere Yaku tracks to impact more once released. Having been
a committed member of Subukia Town Baptist, Salim Young admits has
impacted his creativity. “I think I do gospel music better than
secular,” he said.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Composition Style</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salim Young composed the songs by
observing people’s lives and trials they go through. The title
track Tondu wi Hinya came by watching how people complain to GOD they
got no shoes, yet there are those without legs to wear the shoes.
‘Nindoka Mbere Yaku’ was a personal repentant prayer song to GOD
for straying away by doing things that may have annoyed HIM. The
tune for songs he says he got them from GOD’s revelation and always
prays for that. “I can be asleep at 3am and a tune comes to my
brain, and I wake up and record it on my phone,” says Salim Young.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Salim Young’s Production
Philosophy</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzKm68YffgthOS_5NRog_Cgs22CXt7Y7_b6yNUwnfKkJxA5kE5pXqazNaCQAE0VsbUDeSKITsWSZxTPSi6IweXMCzyZXUya-QR0CPKEQtw4kUJKrT7mj9j6U3HtN6bmDwdK5q-oChOHD4/s1600/salimcar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzKm68YffgthOS_5NRog_Cgs22CXt7Y7_b6yNUwnfKkJxA5kE5pXqazNaCQAE0VsbUDeSKITsWSZxTPSi6IweXMCzyZXUya-QR0CPKEQtw4kUJKrT7mj9j6U3HtN6bmDwdK5q-oChOHD4/s200/salimcar.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For the self produced album he played
all guitars in it. But consulted his Dad and seasoned producers in
Leemax and Studio Sawa to gain extra production skills to apply in
his album. Salim Young believes in producing albums with instruments
being played than programmed and loves performing live. “Live music
is richer with more creativity without monotony of programmed bass
lines,” he said. To him, music needs to incorporate the unique
richness and playing style of a keyboardist, guitarist, bassist and
vocalists. Though optimistic on his debut album, piracy possibility
nags him, but wishes the government was more proactive in fighting
it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Future Optimisms</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That however has not stopped Salim
Young, from being optimistic about the future and hopes to create
music that’s heard beyond Kenyan borders if well produced with top
notch technology. “Quality music rich in messages and well played
instruments even if people don’t understand the language they will
buy it,” he said. Challenges to getting to that level according to
Salim Young, remains production expenses, elite recording equipments
and instruments. So far his debut album has cost him Sh50,000 to
produce. “Yet I can’t release it until I feel its quality my
fans will appreciate,” said Salim Young.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>To The Fans</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To the fans Salim Young says he is just
beginning and should be patient and anticipate the music he is set to
release. “Once released they will understand who Salim Young
musically,” he said. He is grateful to fans and feels this album
will be a way of giving back to them, for supporting him and promises
to not let them down. “If they give me a chance,” Salim Young
told Kikuyu Musicians.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To Book Salim Young reach him on labansalim@yahoo.com </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Copyrights to Kikuyu Musicians November
9, 2013</div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com8River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824524 36.827275800000052-1.2903898999999999 36.817190800000056 -1.2745149 36.837360800000049tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-5547656909948537972013-10-25T09:46:00.000-07:002013-10-25T14:06:36.090-07:00Martin wa Janet: On musical journey anchored in perseverance amidst turmoil<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrcz2wIlTMaTjcTuYtoM0WFhug-cN1lhnVKsIkRDHxlLXzXm1U9p0hsoTsaUCEHV9qEKjqSFTVDdV_FkbI7Y3oCkq9vpai2eNSIzN3XFPt5B7-7__ovNnDA8gsPtHsdPzSVyno9oDSCCf/s1600/mainmarti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrcz2wIlTMaTjcTuYtoM0WFhug-cN1lhnVKsIkRDHxlLXzXm1U9p0hsoTsaUCEHV9qEKjqSFTVDdV_FkbI7Y3oCkq9vpai2eNSIzN3XFPt5B7-7__ovNnDA8gsPtHsdPzSVyno9oDSCCf/s200/mainmarti.jpg" width="200" /></a>Tough beginnings in life don’t
necessarily mean the ends will be painful. That rings true for one
Martin wa Janet 30 years, whose journey to the pinnacle of Kikuyu
Gospel Music has been rife with challenges, self doubt, mocking and
faith amidst hopelessness. All that has shaped Martin to fully
depend and trust in GOD, at all times regardless of the pain through
seasons of life.</div>
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<b>Early Life</b></div>
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Known for inspiring hits like
Nituririkanitwo and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVR40_XVL34" target="_blank">Nitumwinyihire with Obedi</a>, life for this turbaned
man (mkorino) began in Kihiu Mwiri, Muranga County. He attended PK
primary and secondary school up to Form 3 where personal problems
forced him to drop out. Hazy about what to do in life, he left
Muranga for Kiambu and was housed by Mama Jane. He joined a local
akorino church Africa Mission Holy Ghost headed by Bishop Ezra
Njoroge where he played drums with vigour. </div>
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In his teenage years, Martin, spent
almost 4 years jobless in Kiambu but got a job in a hotel in downtown
Nairobi around 2003, where he earned Sh100 daily. The hotel job
proved a challenge for his slight frame, and one day the excessive
heat in the kitchen caused him to vomit. The hotel owner reprimanded
him and Martin begged him to give him one more month. He became a
waiter but waiting hassles proved tiring he worked less than 3 months
and quit. He also lost his beloved mom that year.</div>
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<b>Trials as Matatu Conductor</b></div>
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A man who had a matatu noticed Martin
jobless and loitering Kiambu town and offered him a job as a
conductor for Kiambu town route 100, a job he did until 2008. As a
conductor he desired to sing and after work composed songs but lacked
recording money. “My heart was in music,” recalls Martin. He was
influenced by fellow akorino gospel musicians like Sammy Nene and
Hezeh Ndungu.</div>
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As a conductor, wearing the akorino
white turban he experienced lots of trials. He recalls a time while
hanging on Matatu door his turban accidentally fell off, and a
passenger asked him sarcastically asked him what was that, that fell
off his head. Also being a born again Christian donning a turban,
traffic police loathed him, as he never due to his faith gave bribes.
One police got so irritated at Martin’s refusal to bribe that he
pulled a turban from his head and threw it to the vehicle. “It was
hurtful and being a born again conductor I encountered many
problems,” recalls Martin smiling. </div>
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<b>Working with Dennis Mutara</b></div>
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As fate would have it, as a conductor
he met famous gospel artiste Dennis Mutara who sold oranges near a
supermarket in Kiambu in 2006 while dabbling in his budding musical
career. Then in 2008 Mutara released ‘Ngai angikiuga Niukugia’
album which he distributed around Central Kenya with a public address
system. Martin joined his distribution entourage and they would go
to crusades and open air market to sell them. Martin with funding
from Mama Jane recorded his 7 track debut album ‘Ngai niwenjire
Githima’ which was played intermittently on radio. </div>
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Still to get the master CD from
recording studio took him 3 months to raise sh15, 000. He followed it
up with ‘Mwarie ciugo cia Ngai’ and ‘Ngai Tutumire Mundu’
both received limited airplay and acceptance. In 2009 he recorded
‘<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pcC5GZ_fqQ" target="_blank">Mwathani Tuonerie haria tugutheremera</a>.’ </div>
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<b>Breakthrough to Mainstream</b></div>
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Through his albums he got invited to
lead akorino ‘kigooco live’ praise in 2010 every Sunday 5am to
6am at Inooro FM at Muturi wa Muiru’s show Kimuri Kia Inooro. For
two years He pounded the akorino drums for an hour and sing.
Eventually he got invited by Evangelist Lucy wa Ngunjiri to lead
praise in crusades by her Beyond Boundaries Ministries. With 6
albums to date <sup>th</sup> album Jehovah ni
Muthamaki both played prominently in Kikuyu FM radio stations. </div>
two songs that brought him prominence are
Nituririkanitwo off his latest album and a collaboration with Obedi
‘Nitumwinyihirie’ off the 4<br />
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<b>Challenges in Music</b></div>
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To get the recognition he has today
Martin admits it’s been hard and he questioned his musical ability
and God’s will in his life in the song (Ngai Niwe Niwanduire
Mwariria) album 4. He recalls going to major events and selling only
two CDs and getting arrested by the city council while hawking his
music on a small radio. Potential customers also made false promises
to buy his music. One moment that left him shattered, was when he
accompanied Mutara to Nanyuki. Martin carried 300CDs for the event
and by day 3 had sold 5 only for Sh500. Broke and worse off than he
came, Mutara bailed him out by paying for his accommodation and food
as his CDs were selling. </div>
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Disappointed, on the last day Martin
stood on stage and announced “I want to know if it’s my music you
hate or don’t have money,” he decided to sell them at half price
of Sh50 to get fare. Travelling back to Kiambu from Nanyuki he felt
disappointed but realized maybe GOD’s time had not come. “If GOD
has to lift you up, you will be tested by fire so that you are full
of revelation,” observes Martin.</div>
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Besides lack of money for recording,
Martin says getting his music recognized was hard. Having realized
there are hundreds of thousands of Kikuyu musicians he knew for his
music to reach masses, GOD would have to intervene. “If you are
unknown musician you get ignored at events but work hard on your
craft and leave the rest to GOD to uplift you,” says Martin. </div>
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<b>First Radio Airplay</b></div>
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Getting airplay in Kikuyu Radio
stations wasn’t easy and he savors the moment in 2008 when his song
‘Niwe wenjire Githima’ got played first time on air at Kameme FM.
“I felt reborn, reinvigorated and thanked GOD for it,” said
Martin. According to Martin one can spend lots of money on recording
but what matters is GOD’s favor and prayers. “You can write a
song it gets lots of airplay but if GOD doesn’t open the ears of
listeners to love your music, it won’t be accepted or bought,” he
said. </div>
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<b>Composing Process</b></div>
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When composing Martin reads the Bible
for revelation and connects the message to everyday life people go
through. It takes him a day or over a month to perfect one song
depending on subject matter he focuses on. For the Nitumwinyihirie
with Obedi he wrote the chorus, and Obedi wrote most verses, a
process that took 6 months to complete the collaborated album. The
tune according to Martin comes naturally as he gets the lyrics.
Besides the Bible he values listening to sermons as they provide him
with songwriting ideas. To produce 1 album costs him around Sh100,
000 with Video shooting included.
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<b>Advice to Budding Musicians</b></div>
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His advice to budding gospel artistes
is to go into it if one is sure it’s the call of GOD so incase an
album flops you soldier on. Otherwise an artiste driven to gospel
music for money gets disappointed if his first album flops. He also
advises one not to enter music because of a wave. Personally Martin
has observed people who sold a cow to record because they saw a
neighbor record and be successful. He observes such end selling the
CD”s to family or close friends and go back to the village broke
and disillusioned. Though piracy has hit him he estimates to have
sold almost 100, 000 of his albums VCDs included. </div>
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<b>Notable Shows </b></div>
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Martin has sung in notable shows for
Kameme FM thanksgiving at Kirigiti stadium Kiambu, Inooro FM road
shows and at book launch in KICC attended by Kalonzo Musyoka. But
for a visa denial he was to perform in California accompanying
Evangelist Lucy Wa Ngunjiri. The father of one says the key to being
lifted up by GOD is by singing from revelation to give hope to the
listeners and humility before GOD.
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-11127718288593593092013-10-17T10:33:00.000-07:002013-10-18T06:35:56.220-07:00Kikuyu Music most underrated hit songs and sleeper hits<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUuu7avoR0tNYTd29S4Mq8orndthTYfz0NYztdI3uzM_m-MinCpLBanalk8Vh_sqqnIdeX7i1F-CYy98uuMeMhIk9P_A0KKk1f93zEoiVSYr8W5Swm35-eGGk2lDNr6yjYnA2fugavhbj/s1600/rithoriatha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUuu7avoR0tNYTd29S4Mq8orndthTYfz0NYztdI3uzM_m-MinCpLBanalk8Vh_sqqnIdeX7i1F-CYy98uuMeMhIk9P_A0KKk1f93zEoiVSYr8W5Swm35-eGGk2lDNr6yjYnA2fugavhbj/s200/rithoriatha.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ritho Ria Tha</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVczsEey-_BjeMtUjRJz9ZzaLEOVyxmu3Q-yb-vgbJfiJPIFreVDF1mT7AODrxbWjA5r60xqsTRqKoUyq_tnqFZES3heJ8UMnjtov0BUwWWv-RK2oAPJzTKCsn7kGE1j-3qK1w77rGRL_-/s1600/musaimo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVczsEey-_BjeMtUjRJz9ZzaLEOVyxmu3Q-yb-vgbJfiJPIFreVDF1mT7AODrxbWjA5r60xqsTRqKoUyq_tnqFZES3heJ8UMnjtov0BUwWWv-RK2oAPJzTKCsn7kGE1j-3qK1w77rGRL_-/s200/musaimo.jpg" width="200" /></a>When Kikuyu songs are released and
receive airplay, there are those that are instant hits but others lag
behind in popularity. For every ‘<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/07/ben-githae-mabataro-makwa-hit-maker.html" target="_blank">mabataro</a>’, ‘<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/03/musaimo-wa-njeri-kikuyu-music-legend.html" target="_blank">mwigerekanio</a>’
‘<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/05/nd-githuka-ahiurania-hit-maker-shares.html" target="_blank">ahiurania</a>’ song there are three others equally good to be
classified as sleeper hits. These songs are unknown largely due to
the singer not being a household name like Githae, Musaimo or ND
Githuka. We profile some of the songs and their writers below. Some don't have Youtube videos but can be found at Simba Centre River Road, Nairobi.</div>
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<b>Ritho Ria Tha: </b>This is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5xEm1TBhS8" target="_blank">guitar driven pop son</a>g by the relatively unknown Peter Muiruri with a
dominant, vibrant rhythm riff that adds passion to the song. The
song is an anthem for those dubbed in Kenya as ‘’safaras’’ or
hasslers in informal sector like mkokoteni (rickshaw) pullers or
shoe shiners. In it Muiruri acknowledges if God doesn’t intervene
in his efforts he won’t be blessed and be rich enough to one day
buy a house in Buru Buru Estate.
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<b>Andua Aria: </b>A great groovy
gospel song by another unknown Jane Mumenya. This song has a catchy
bass line and lead rhythm guitar very well produced. Its message is
about people who walk and wait on God never grow faint or weary.
It’s an uplifting song that uplifts downtrodden spirits and lifts
one up.</div>
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<b>Gikuu kia Nugu: </b>A <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_AS7D422wU" target="_blank">gospel song by unknown Sovinga wa Bibiana</a> an underground artist in River Road
Nairobi. He collaborates on this hit with Muigai wa Njoroge. Like
any Sovinga’s song this requires keen listening to understand its
cryptic wisdom for living message. At a snapshot the song theme
centers on the saying that when death is near for a monkey all trees
are slippery.
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<b>Megutha: </b> A <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60pX_lm3pd0" target="_blank">song by family counselor</a> and Pastor JJ Gitahi off his album ‘Kinyaga Mbere.’ In
the song Pastor JJ Gitahi sings about the love of GOD that compelled
him to follow Christ without resisting (megutha). Part of its
message is drawn from Matthew 8:20 of foxes have holes. Its simple
yet profound and played with strong lingala influence.
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<b>Andu Marekanire</b>: This is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whBOzcsa0Dw" target="_blank">song by Ndindiko wa Waithaka </a>of the Githingithia comedy fame. This is an
apology and asking for forgiveness song by Ndindiko. In it Ndindiko
apologizes to former girlfriends he had promised to marry and anyone
he wronged. He acknowledges his earlier years naivety as the reasons
he committed all those wrongs.
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<b>Mwihodotoro: </b>An <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlXnNe2MrEU" target="_blank">original song by the King of Mugithi Mike Rua</a>. This is a relatively unknown song
but is actually quite catchy. In a snippet of the song Rua thanks
the person who first gave him a guitar for free when he could not
afford it. He chronicles his early musical beginnings and in chorus
urges a guy to stop complaining and eat vegetables called managu in
kikuyu and sleep. The song is worth a listen if only for its
combative vocals and great rhythm guitar playing.
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<b>Wikore: </b>A gospel and wisdom fo<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxBpDyKUpdM" target="_blank">r living song by Muigai wa Njoroge</a>. This is anthem for the downtrodden
struggling to make ends meet. Drawing on his own poverty past Muigai
urges listeners to trust God in their sufferings as one day they will
be exalted and be rich. The song has some nice vocal harmonies,
keyboards and a background guitar riff it’s mournful but makes for
a beautiful listen.
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<b>Tiga Niwe: </b>One of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMBoR4HmTRU" target="_blank">best sleeper kikuyu gospel hit song this 2013</a> by Beatrice Wangui aka
Jordan. Once You listen to its message, You will understand why it’s
a divine tearjerker. Its production is exquisite and the message by
Wangui just acknowledges God goodness and faithfulness. In it Wangui
sings if it were not for GOD she would not have been born again. It’s
off her new album Kiambiriria.
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<b>Hau noho: </b>A<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-journey-of-matiribu-hit-maker.html" target="_blank"> gospel song by Mirugi Dishon of Matiribu fame </a>off Mirugi’s new album Matiribu. In
the keyboard driven song, Mirugi urges Christians to be patient and
wait on GOD. It draws on Biblical stories of Hannah and Peninah.
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<b>Korwo Ngai: </b>A song by Wakabura
Joseph. He chronicles his difficult beginnings in life the pain and
suffering he went through to get to the pinnacle of Kikuyu Gospel. He
urges the listeners to not quit when GOD is molding them to eventual
greatness.
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<b>Githaa: </b>A <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwG8oHMcTac" target="_blank">song by John Muchira</a>
a wedding MC from Kirinyaga County. The song is well produced and
encourages listeners to wait for GOD’s perfect timing only. He
acknowledges GOD is never late and is always on time.
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<b>Iremithia: </b>A gospel<b> </b>song
by an unknown Helen Wagio. In the song she prays GOD to remove
obstacles hindering her from accomplishing her lifelong goals. It’s
an uplifting anthem that lifts ones spirit to look to GOD as their
source.
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<b>Gachomo Foreman: </b>A <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nF22EgJI-0" target="_blank">song by Njuguna wa Lucy </a>produced by Studio Sawa. This is wisdom for living song about a Gachomo character who worked as a building foreman. He used to swindle the company he worked for and steal money from builders working under him. Gachomo had such a big ego that he tied his trouser in high waist. Unfortunately luck run out he was caught fired became so broke that today he operates a beat up puppet near Shooters Githurai and receives coins from well-wishers and passersby incidentally he hated coins when he was a foreman.</div>
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These are not the only songs we
consider sleeper hits. There are other sleeper hits from unknown
Kikuyu artistes. If you know a sleeper hit from an unknown musician
comment below this story or interact with us on our social media
pages below.
</div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/kikuyumusicians">www.facebook.com/kikuyumusicians</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/kikuyumusicians">www.twitter.com/kikuyumusicians</a>
</div>
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<a href="mailto:kikuyumusicians@gmail.com">kikuyumusicians@gmail.com</a>
</div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824524 36.827275800000052-1.2903898999999999 36.817190800000056 -1.2745149 36.837360800000049tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-36281458065458552582013-08-31T10:07:00.003-07:002013-09-03T02:16:24.831-07:00DK Karanja: ‘Mukunyururia’ singer shares his passion for God in Music<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap8hcQfU6cwC9wJS0czqQ1wAArzosY-v0jFtIf3abpEF4_Iz3dQY70Csd2E5PWsiWYBa0nZv5OiU4kJ6_iq10QP9EeadiVCnSVAFTP3szdzu7hWLIPo31dmAv7UO509QI105EizCYUqQ9/s1600/SAM_3527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap8hcQfU6cwC9wJS0czqQ1wAArzosY-v0jFtIf3abpEF4_Iz3dQY70Csd2E5PWsiWYBa0nZv5OiU4kJ6_iq10QP9EeadiVCnSVAFTP3szdzu7hWLIPo31dmAv7UO509QI105EizCYUqQ9/s200/SAM_3527.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Daniel Kamau Karanja popular in Kikuyu
Gospel, as DK Karanja is known for songs about everyday situations
people go through and God’s purpose in them. The songs soft,
prayerful melodic deliveries by Karanja is exactly what he asked God
for, when he knew he was called to gospel music.
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<b>Growing Up</b></div>
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Though he released his first album in
2007, as a young boy born in Nyathuna, Kiambu and growing up in
Narok, Karanja loved singing and also hoped to be a preacher. His
mother, quarreled him for his love of hitting anything metallic like
sufurias, milking buckets and kettles to create melodies. After 1992
tribal clashes forced them to relocate Kiambu from Narok he began to
sing. But it’s after, he got born again in 2000 he sensed he was
called to gospel music. His prayer to GOD was to sing uniquely and in
a way that would make HIM be honored by listeners.
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<b>Early Struggles and Influences</b></div>
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He got a job as a matatu driver and
saved money aiming to record one day. Money was hard to come and
getting shillings 20,000 to record was beyond him. He joined a merry
go round scheme where they saved money and got paid in turns Sh6000
after 30 days. In that time he listened to songs of other musicians
and correct mistakes he viewed existed. His aim was always to sing
from Godly conviction and will not for fame or money. “There is a
way GOD requires us to worship HIM, not all songs we sing to him
please HIM,” Karanja told Kikuyu Musicians.
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Then he admired music by ND Githuka,
late Anastasia Karanja, Milkah Muthoni, Julia Lucy, Elizabeth
Nyambere and Njenga wa Cucu. “You can sense a touch of GOD in
their music it’s not something they were dabbling in,” observes
Karanja. He admired their songs that challenged people to live right
with GOD. Up to when he released his first album, Karanja learned
lessons on waiting on GOD. “A child can’t be born and eat
Githeri tomorrow there is a need for growth,” said Karanja. For
him GOD “delays” are vital to ensure we are not conceited after
getting quick blessings that can lead us to self destruction.
“Motivation shouldn’t be about money in gospel music,” he said.</div>
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<b>Recording Debut Album &
Discouragements</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EOmCB0Q1Bp1blWDVwiYAWWpWyrLaUjqV1OkJoA2_yBLdt0XiDszmEiaaOVKFEZzYEpp7eGTxPjaGUliDbNJt1WlLip0yLyzlhkNJCLsASuc29CnEzOkIokeqGJdl14kKrFyndOOiOkJU/s1600/SAM_3521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EOmCB0Q1Bp1blWDVwiYAWWpWyrLaUjqV1OkJoA2_yBLdt0XiDszmEiaaOVKFEZzYEpp7eGTxPjaGUliDbNJt1WlLip0yLyzlhkNJCLsASuc29CnEzOkIokeqGJdl14kKrFyndOOiOkJU/s200/SAM_3521.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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When he was ready to record, he had
Sh6000 but the producer agreed to record him after promising to later
pay the rest. His aim for the album was to convey his musical
thoughts without interference by the producer. He released his debut
album <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdH7dUIY5_U" target="_blank">Jesu Nyita na Guoko</a> in 2007. The album was initially not well
received due to lack of radio airplay. “Acceptance for music in the
media is at times hard,” Karanja observes. He took his album to
Kikuyu radio stations around 10 times without any airplay. He even
got a painful verbal barb, from a radio presenter who called his
songs too mournful for radio. Another told him they had deleted them
from their database.</div>
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Nonetheless, Karanja soldiered on
without taking any hurtful statements personally. “Today I see the
presenter though he is ashamed I don’t have hard feelings,” he
said. The saving grace came through Skiza tunes by Safaricom once
Karanja got his music there, it became popular. Later, the media
picked his songs for airplay. “Skiza popularized my songs,” he
said. Through that he advises budding musicians to never give up and
be sure if GOD called them, the gift in them will flourish in due
time. He also urges them to not take seriously anyone who belittles
their GOD given musical gift. “So long as GOD who called You,
hasn’t told You he can’t help You, why give up,” Karanja asks.
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He followed his debut album with
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvklLDLW08o" target="_blank">Ndakwambararia na Ngugoce</a> album in 2009 which proved popular as well
as his third album <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4QnxdU03V0" target="_blank">Nii Ningwitheria</a>. His latest album is
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xakfwzthro" target="_blank">Mukunyururia</a> whose title song has proved to be a spiritual anthem for
those in tough times and getting mocked. Its message is from the
story of the mocking Hannah endured from Peninah due to barrenness in
the Bible. “At times you require an enemy to get You out of
complacency and passivity and know what you lack,” said Karanja.</div>
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<b>Composing Style & Piracy</b></div>
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When composing Karanja observes
situations (good or bad) people go through and GOD’s purpose in
them. According to him humanity suffers from common problems, in
lack one may lack clothes another food. From such he gets a message
first and then a melody follows. The Bible and Rhema word helps him
have a revelation of how to contextualize GOD’s solution in the
song for the listeners.
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Though piracy has hit him, he has
managed to sell 0.7 million songs and albums. “GOD has favoured
me,” said Karanja. Piracy, Karanja says it won’t hinder him from
delivering GOD’s message to people in songs. “A mole can’t
stop a farmer from planting but those who feed their children by
stealing are cursed with them,” said Karanja. He sees piracy as a
blessing in disguise as GOD’s message reaches more people though he
loathes it.</div>
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<b>Motivation in Gospel Music</b></div>
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From observing today’s gospel music
scene, Karanja is sad some people are in it for selfish motives like
greed for money and fame than glorifying GOD. “Be in it according
to GOD’s will only, the love of money is dangerous and makes people
kill,” he said. Though open to ministering internationally,
Karanja would shun invitations however lucrative whose motives are
not GOD centered. “I don’t sing to please people but if GOD is
honored people know HIM,” Karanja said. He recalls a person who
told him his music wouldn’t sell since it’s not too modern or
danceable but it never bothers him.
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“There has to be a clear difference
between gospel and worldly music,” Karanja said as GOD looks at the
heart not the movements. These days unlike before, he is inundated
with invites to an extent he can’t keep up with them, but is
grateful to GOD for there were times they lacked. He markets his
music in crusades and churches. He also appreciates the role stations
like Inooro, Coro and Kameme FMs have had in making known his music.
“They even call to ask if we got new music,” he said.
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<b>Challenges and Handling Them</b></div>
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Challenges, Karanja says shouldn’t
faze us, as they are common to all, but leave us loving GOD more not
shunning him. “Problems mould you so that tomorrow you are not
prideful,” said Karanja. He has been in events where people have
told him he can’t sing and refused a chance to. Nevertheless music
is rewarding as his main source of livelihood and educates his
children. Through music he has begun businesses like construction of
buildings, hiring out public address systems and shooting videos.
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<b>Hope for the Future </b>
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In future he aims to expand his
business to create employment in his Stardan video and music production
company. His music is available in Simba Centre river road. He
encourages musicians to invest in other sectors as it not guaranteed
money from music will always flow. He urges people to know that GOD
thinks good of them. “Better the problems of today with promise of
a blessed tomorrow,” Karanja said. Of his 4 albums, Karanja’s
favorite is the debut, as its all where his musical journey begun.
“If we repent and follow GOD, HE will bring us to our vision,”
said Karanja. Karanja’s contacts are +254 725 592 168.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kikuyu Musicians Copyrights</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="mailto:kikuyumusicians@gmail.com">kikuyumusicians@gmail.com</a>
</div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/kikuyumusicians">www.twitter.com/kikuyumusicians</a></div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824524 36.827275800000052-1.2903898999999999 36.817190800000056 -1.2745149 36.837360800000049tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-16315748390722891622013-08-22T09:46:00.001-07:002013-08-27T06:38:33.785-07:00Ngaruiya Junior: from a rebellious drug addict to King of Kigooco (praise)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqg_3wzc5fjqot1LZVcGkpZ3oTy7kaB75mzUuIBULO6irOuyh2gVT_KqB4HEnMoDcXy_uSb0tJqGENsSpDOYbIN1cpSK68anb_lZmnKTazu72a5-U1cuIu5lvKFdHXVhbxFDdHV3IKx2E/s1600/Ngaruiya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqg_3wzc5fjqot1LZVcGkpZ3oTy7kaB75mzUuIBULO6irOuyh2gVT_KqB4HEnMoDcXy_uSb0tJqGENsSpDOYbIN1cpSK68anb_lZmnKTazu72a5-U1cuIu5lvKFdHXVhbxFDdHV3IKx2E/s200/Ngaruiya.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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In recent years, 30 year old, Ngaruiya
Junior has established himself as Kikuyu Gospel music’s go to
praise leader earning him the nickname King of Kigooco. He has
revived traditional Kikuyu gospel praise songs by putting instruments
on them and re-establishing their mainstream popularity. So popular
are the songs, they have eclipsed his original
compositions. His new album is Jehova Nitwaguthaitha will
be<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/07/leah-mercy-ngugi-from-rejection-to.html" target="_blank"> launched</a> at Dominion Chapel Ministries, Kiserian September 15<sup>th</sup> 2013.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Early Life</b></div>
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Today in any event Ngaruiya leads
praise; crowds are revived when he sings the Kigooco songs like
Jehovah Mwathani, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_3NA_egWU8" target="_blank">Mwathani Wakwa</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwjla-HgH5o" target="_blank">Wi Mutheru</a> Gocai Ngai Witu and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O26N2TTIz9s" target="_blank">Paul andikiire Kanitha</a>. Though
passionate about GOD today, Ngaruiya early life growing up in a
Pastor’s home was laden with drug addictions, street life and
rebellion that led him to quit school at class 6. Born in Kwambira,
Limuru, Ngaruiya went to Kimiriru Primary School and at an early age
got into bad company.
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<b>Wrong Company</b></div>
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They vandalized toilets, stole fruits
from farms and even stole from churches including his father’s
tithes and offerings. As a group of 4 boys’ money the stole was
spent wastefully on eating mandazi’s. Later Ngaruiya was caught by
his Dad and church members and spent two days in police cell. He was
released on promising he would go back to school. Getting home, he
threw his school uniform in a pit latrine and ran away from home to
Nairobi to be a street boy. “I never lacked anything, my parents
always provided every to my every need,” recalls Ngaruiya.
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<b>Street Boy and Addictions</b></div>
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That begun a downward spiral of
addictions to bhang and glue and eating from garbage dumps. Life in
Nairobi streets was hard, and Ngaruiya briefly returned to Limuru
environs and begged food from people. Addictions also took their toll
and Ngaruiya and the boys made Kikuyu Cemetery their home and slept
there. For the 6 months he run from home, his parents reported him
missing. “I’d hear on radio they were looking for me,” Ngaruiya
told Kikuyu Musicians. The turning point came when he learned his
aunt from Kimende had died and attended the funeral. At the funeral
he was unrecognizable with his dirty street boy clothes, he saw his
granny from Subukia he loved, and approached her.
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<b>Path to Redemption</b></div>
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The granny told his parents and through
her, begged Ngaruiya to come back home. He promised only if he would
be allowed to relocate to Subukia with his granny. The parents
obliged and gave his granny money for clothes and provision. It was
at Subukia, the urge to go back to church arose. He joined a Full
Gospel Church, incidentally attended by a Kikuyu gospel duo called
mother and son. He began singing with the church’s youth group
after apologizing for his past misdeeds.
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“People loved my singing,” Ngaruiya
recalls and being mature he was asked one day to preach at a youth
event. After preaching 40 people got born again, when he asked to be
prayed for salvation 20 more people were born again. Life at his
granny’s in Subukia consisted of Ngaruiya in casual labor of
digging at other people’s farms. Later he got employed at Subukia
Posho Mill which increased his visibility in the community, in
addition to being active in Christian youth groups. “We used to
sing in crusades, churches and funeral wakes,” Ngaruiya recalls.</div>
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<b>Debut Album </b>
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Through those connections he got
employed by a Pastor in Nyahururu to lead praise and worship in his
church for Sh1000 a month. Though the pastor loved him, the wife
hated Ngaruiya and even denied him food. “It was a hard life I
used to go without food until the next salary,” he said. By close
of 2000 he had saved some money to record his debut album <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR5v8b_1Mr0" target="_blank">‘Jehovah wi Ngai Munene.</a>’ He had also reconciled with his parents and his
Dad, Harun Ngaruiya, who chipped in to help Ngaruiya record it in
Nairobi.
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He moved back to Nyahururu stayed a
while but went back to Subukia at his granny’s. In those two
places he managed to sell over 500 copies in 3 months. “I’d sell
in crusades and in village funeral committees,” said Ngaruiya.
Doors opened, and when popular gospel musicians like Hezeh Ndungu
visited Subukia Ngaruiya performed with them. He later relocated
back to his parents in Limuru.
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<b>Connecting With Anastasia Karanja</b></div>
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With Nairobi in proximity, Ngaruiya got
connected to his musical mentor the late Anastasia Karanja of ‘Ino
Ngoro’ fame. She mentored him spiritually and taught him to sing.
Through her, he got invites to sing where she ministered like Keshas
(overnight prayer vigils). To increase his reach, Ngaruiya also
looked at newspaper obituaries to know who had died. Even without
having known the deceased he would request presiding ministers to let
him sing a song loved by the dead persons. Pastors obliged and he
would sing and never charge anything. Several trips like those made
Ngaruiya known.
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<b>Singing in Funerals</b></div>
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By the time Kikuyu radio stations knew
him, he had already established himself in gospel music in Central
Kenya. “Strange I got know from singing in maombolezi (funeral
wakes),” said Ngaruiya. With Anastasia they founded an overnight
prayer vigil called My Night with the King. Later on with KK a
minister in Coro FM they started a church from the Keshas. Of his 10
albums so far he has 5 with Kigooco classic songs produced to capture
the modern musical sound with guitars.
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He also has done an original worship
album ‘Jehovah ni Twaguthaitha.’’ He admits to love traditional
Kigooco songs due to their longevity and their ministering influence
never wanes. His advice to budding musicians is patience not
expecting instant success. Mingling with people to increase talent
exposure is vital according to Ngaruiya. Though piracy has hit him
hard Ngaruiya sees it as a blessing in disguise as it increases his
music’s reach. “If piracy hits You, know Your product is good
don’t give up,” he observes.
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Composing and Elevation to
Prominence</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When composing he gets a tune and
message in tow. “It’s hard to explain, but it comes from GOD,”
he said. His gifting has enabled him to sing for big shots in
government like current President Uhuru Kenyatta he considers a
friend. Internationally he has performed in Uganda and will perform
in UK in December 2013. He aims to widen the reach of his music
internationally in Africa and beyond. He is active in social media
like Twitter, Linked In and Facebook and <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/06/mc-wa-nguvu-jeremy-damaris-on-lifes.html" target="_blank">MCs events</a> like weddings.
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<b>Importance of Prayers by Parents</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Looking back, Ngaruiya admits he could
not be where he is, were it not for his parents’ encouragement and
persistent prayers when he was a delinquent. He advises young people
to avoid drinking or drugs as they will ruin their futures. Having
been a Pastor’s Kid (PK) Ngaruiya cautions church members to pray
for their pastor’s families and homes, as the Devil targets them
much, to destabilize Pastors from doing effective ministry to
congregants. ‘Menyithia Mwathani Mathina Maku’ (tell Christ Your
problems) is a song he wrote when he passed through troubles. In the
song he prophesies to himself that he will be rich and out of those
troubles. “I am doing well today,” he chimes in with a smile.
</div>
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<b>Mentoring Budding Musicians</b></div>
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Today he performs over 10 shows in a
weekend and mentors over 10 budding musicians. Some he mentors
include Uncle Ken wa Koimbi, CB Sir and Sammy Boy. Any budding
musician he comes across Ngaruiya first establishes if he is forcing
the musical talent or not. If he senses it’s there he takes him to
the best studio. On recording he advises them before submitting the
record to radio stations or an audience to listen first. “If it
doesn’t make you happy, it won’t make a stranger happy,” he
cautions.</div>
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Humility is also key to success “love
GOD, walk humbly, pray and GOD will exalt you,” Ngaruiya said. For
a man who wished to be a Kenya Power engineer he says now his heart
is at home singing gospel music.
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You can contact Ngaruiya on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ngaruiya-Junior-Na-Mafans/243532435720466">www.facebook.com/pages/Ngaruiya-Junior-Na-Mafans/243532435720466</a> or via email <a href="mailto:ngaruiyajunior@yahoo.com">ngaruiyajunior@yahoo.com</a> or juniorngaruiya@gmail.com </div>
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By Kikuyu Musicians Copyrights
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824524 36.827275800000052-1.2903898999999999 36.817190800000056 -1.2745149 36.837360800000049tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-27158008122209569672013-07-20T05:08:00.001-07:002013-09-03T09:48:05.845-07:00Modern Kikuyu Worship Classics Songs<style type="text/css">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol Wanjiru</td></tr>
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From time to time in Kikuyu Gospel,
there comes along artistes who craft Kikuyu worship songs that take
us into deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ. Some of the artists may
not be famous but their songs touch us. For some it might be the
only song(s) they are known but others they are prolific.
Nevertheless let us celebrate them. We are not suggesting these
songs are the only ones, If You know others kindly leave comments
below this post. Some may not even have audio or video on Youtube.</div>
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<b>Munduiriri - </b>This is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzq73LXdTjw" target="_blank">song by Carol Wanjiru from Uthiru</a>. This song was composed from her personal
experience on a painful broken engagement. This prayerful song is
basically about praising God regardless of your current situation. It
praises God as the one who fights our battles. She also has other
modern worship classics like Munguuri and Turi Uhore all worth a
listen.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<b>Muhaturi – </b>This is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y-MIyxPTmQ" target="_blank">new song by a new artiste Freddy K</a>. Its prayer and deep complemented by sultry
female back-up vocals. This worship song is about GOD who is our
rescue in times of our troubles. Freddy praises GOD as the one who
is his rescue in times of troubles. It’s worth a listen when one
feels discouraged or low in life.
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<b>Muguthaithi – </b>This is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAO7LJhtMoc" target="_blank">a song by Mercy Ken</a>. It’s basically a song on worshiping God day and
night. Mercy Ken also thanks God for making her a worshipper. The
song has been around for a while getting airplay from all stations
like Inooro, Coro and Kameme FM.
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<b>Niwikite Magegania –</b> This <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWcv79xi0LQ" target="_blank">song by new artiste Sammy Irungu</a> is currently ruling the airwaves. In it
Irungu praises GOD for perfoming miracles that he even can’t
explain. When Irungu performs the song even people who are seated
stand up and worship their arms up in the air.
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<b>Kiriga – </b>This is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1mJxcLKnBs" target="_blank">song by the prolific, worshipper from Nyeri, Charles K Kingori</a>, it’s from
the album by the same name. In the song Kingori sings about the
wonders of GOD that leave him in awe and wonder. Its message is
borrowed from the old and new testament in the Bible. Kingori as a
relatively new artiste in Kikuyu music has cut a niche of writing
songs with Biblical messages. His trademark in his songs is the
constant refrains in nearly all of the compositions. His other
worship songs are Mahindi momu, Ngai Kihoti, Njamba ya Ita and his
latest Ndi Murathime.
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<b>Hau Noho – </b>This is a song by
<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-journey-of-matiribu-hit-maker.html" target="_blank">Mirugi Dishon of Matiribu fame</a>. Of the songs in the list, this is one
least played anywhere among the three stations of Inooro, Coro and
Kameme FM. It’s what one would call an underground hit which Mirugi
sings in churches or crusades. The song’s message is about waiting
on God patiently without giving up. Its melody is driven beautifully
by a keyboard and drums and faded guitar melody. It borrows heavily
on Bible stories of Hannah and Peninah.
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<b>Nyitagirira – </b>This is a
wonderful <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxUt4BN2wrc" target="_blank">song by Esther Muthoni </a>based in the US. It’s beautifully
produced and speaks about God being our refuge. In the song Muthoni
speaks the song from Bible verses and the chorus is about God holding
us up so we don’t faint or fail.
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<b>Moko Marathime – </b>This is a
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxUt4BN2wrc" target="_blank">song</a> by <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/03/njuguna-gicheha-fanning-flame-of-kikuyu.html" target="_blank">Njuguna Gicheha</a> also an actor in Kameme FM’s Micii ni Ndogo
as Man Nyari. The song borrows heavily from the Bible story of Adam
and Eve and their being expelled from the Garden of Eden. The song is
about God blessing the works of our hands and whatever we do
prospering as a result. Gicheha urges people to prophesy positively
about the works of their hands. It’s one of the most requested
songs.
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<b>Mutharaba: </b>This is an old song
by Pastor Isaac Kahura. In the song he urges the listeners to carry
the cross of Christ without compromising regardless of the
situations. He narrates a story in there about a man who patiently
carried the cross without cutting it and was able to cross the river
with it. Yet there was another who cut his cross to be lighter and
couldn’t use it as a bridge to the river.
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<b>Mawiko: </b>This is a<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbkOchGGOa0" target="_blank"> song</a> by<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/05/nd-githuka-ahiurania-hit-maker-shares.html" target="_blank"> ND Githuka of Ahiurania</a> from the Mawiko album. The song is about God’s
doings, blessings and His everlasting mercies. In it Githuka also
sings about GOD who blesses everyone who pleases. The album also has
hits like Dekapoli and Hingurira.</div>
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<b>Jesu niwe Hitho: </b>This is a
timeless 90s worship classic sung by Geoffrey Wachira. In the song
Wachira praises Jesus as his hiding place in times of turmoil. He
commits to make Jesus his refuge and strength in all the days of his
life. No audio/video available on Youtube. </div>
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<b>Nii Nindiriirie Guguturira: </b>
This is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRvsVKy7Vuk" target="_blank">song by Milkah Wanjiru</a> also of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBu9j0YnAfw" target="_blank">Nithengiu Ngai Wakwa fame</a>.
The song is about desiring to live for God all the days of life. In
the song she prays to God to give her a heart that fears the Lord.
It’s a worship song easy to sing and remember. Wanjiru based in
Naivasha is not much known but her songs bless us.
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In case You may want to get these songs
visit our Fan page on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kikuyumusicians">www.facebook.com/kikuyumusicians</a>
or write us on <a href="mailto:kikuyumusicians@gmail.com">kikuyumusicians@gmail.com</a>
or follow us on twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kikuyumusicians">www.twitter.com/kikuyumusicians</a>
. We will help out.</div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0Nairobi, Kenya-1.2920659 36.821946199999957-1.5460579 36.499222699999955 -1.0380739 37.144669699999959tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-40565123006836391852013-07-18T04:22:00.001-07:002013-09-03T09:48:36.596-07:00Kaka Man Nduati: The singing cop shares his passion for music and law enforcement<style type="text/css">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Today, the man born in
Kandara, Muranga in the 70s as, Isaac Kibugi Nduati is popularly
known as Kakaman Nduati the singing cop or ‘msikari mwimbi’ in
broken Swahili. With 11 albums released to date, the latest being
clearing and for<span style="font-size: small;">warding </span>‘<span style="font-size: small;">wendo wa te<span style="font-size: small;">argas</span></span>’ Kakaman Nduati is at ease juggling his twin
loves of law enforcement and music. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Growing Up</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Growing up as young boy,
Nduati counts himself fortunate, he identified his love of creative
arts as early as when in Class 3 in Mahutia Primary School. He was
not just an active participant in church and school, music and drama
festivals but he led most of them. So much so that his relatives told
him he took after Kibugi a grandfather he was named after. In his hey
days, the elder Kibugi charmed ladies when singing ‘Kibata’ a
Kikuyu traditional dance. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">At a young age Nduati,
loved to listen to Joseph Kamaru’s music especially ‘Muhiki wa
Mikosi’ and DK Kamau. By the time he was in Class 7 in 1987, his
talent blossomed and at school music festivals he got to provincial
level through a solo folk song he performed. His headmaster then Mr
Ngomi encouraged him in his artistic pursuits. By class 8 he topped
all festivals church and school he participated in some pieces he
also composed. After primary school he got admitted to Kiruri High
School and all fired up to perform arts in high school. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>High School Artistic
Exploits</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In Form 1 he dived
straight to arts and even began coaching Form 4’s in preparation
for the festivals and leading some of the compositions. Nduati’s
immediate creative influence was visible as Kiruri High for the first
time got to district level. In Form 2 working in tandem with their patron
they prepared 7 artistic pieces of which 5, took 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;">
place the rest 2</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;">
place at divisional levels and they proceeded to district levels. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">For all their artistic
exploits, the school principal didn’t share in their celebration.
Instead the group got wind on the eve of district festivals that they
had been banned from performing at district level. The group led by
Nduati took their grievances to an educational officer in Kangema who
organized a bus from Kangema High to pick them at 5am at the parade
ground on material day. They proceeded to Kigumo Bendera for the
district festivals without the blessing of their principal and their
patron not informed. Of the 7 pieces they performed 2 were number 1
and another number 2, and had qualified for the provincial level. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The education officer who
had assisted them facilitated the group with expenses to perform at
provincial levels where they got to second place. That weekend they
came back to school with 2</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;">
place trophies and certificates from zonal level and on Monday during
parade presented them to their patron. Their prinicipal was livid and
before he could suspend the arts group led by Nduati a school strike
happened. As a result most of the arts group led by Nduati was
expelled for good by the school board as they were perceived as
strike instigators. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Light Bulb Moment</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Looking back, Nduati says
the expulsion was a blessing in disguise and it shaped the person he
is today a soldier musician. His father was bitter with him over the fees he
had paid for him. However Nduati promised that he would get another
school and be admitted. He got offered a place at Gaichanjiru High
School but settled on Gituro High School due to its emphasis on
performing arts. An arts teacher Mr Omurunga who had adjudicated
Nduati in the past, pleaded with the principal to admit him on
learning he was expelled at Kiruri over his love of performing arts. </span>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Since Nduati hadn’t
studied third term of Form 2 he was examined to see if fit to be in
Form 3 in 1992. He did well and was admitted in Form 3. The day he
officially reported the drama group patron Mr Omurunga gave him a
script. He played the lead character ‘Magoto wa Gitur<span style="font-size: small;">u</span>’ which
became the talk during festivals. From zonal to provincial level
Nduati won best actor but for the play Damu th<span style="font-size: small;">at</span> didn’t proceed to
nationals. However, in the second term during music festivals Nduati
won best soloist for a vernacular recital (marebeta). “It wowed
people,’’ he recalls. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Form 4 however served as
the ultimate climax of Nduati’s artistic exploits in high school.
He was made the entertainment captain and composed a ‘marebeta’
title ‘Unduire Witu’ that won up to national levels. That opened
a door for Nduati to perform to Kenya’s former President Moi at
State House Nairobi. The president though not understanding Kikuyu
was left in stitches and the education minister then JJ Kamotho was
his translator. “By God’s grace I was able to balance my studies
and arts and didn’t fail the final exams,’’ Nduati told Kikuyu
Musicians. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>After High School</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After high school, he was
called back by Gitur<span style="font-size: small;">u</span> High principal to coach the arts group. He
co-wrote a play with Mr Omurunga titled ‘Nguvu za Giza.’ One of
the best actors to emerge from the play was Ann Ngugi of K24. In 1996
he tried out for the police and was selected and joined Police
College at Kiganjo. Afterwards he was posted in Nairobi with rank of
constable and used to do patrols around Nairobi. Then his musical
gift was still bugging him. When Nduati got the opportunity at events
or clubs he sang songs of musicians like John Ndemethiu or Mugithi
which towards late 90s was beginning to be popular. “People would
appreciate,” Nduati recalls.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Musical Debut</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tired of singing other
peoples songs, he financed and released his first album Cecilia in
2006 which was a hit. In it was the song ‘Ngai teithia Thigari’
(God help the cops). In 2007 he sang a political album ‘Kibaki
Tena’ for Kibaki praising him for his development record. Album 3
was ‘Muhunjia Opposite’ a satirical aimed at false preachers
which also had a song ‘Susanna Kurungara.’ Album 4 was ‘Kiwendo
Kia Nguvu’ in 2008 with a peace song ‘tutikanacokere mbara’
after the post election violence skirmishes. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Road Accident</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In 2009 Nduati was
involved in an accident within Nairobi when a tuk tuk he was
travelling on was hit by a matatu <span style="font-size: small;">and frac<span style="font-size: small;">tured a left leg</span></span>. While in crutches he did a gospel album ‘Massage ya
Kiroho’ as a thanks to GOD for sparing his life. He admits it
didn’t do well and I felt maybe I wasn’t called to be in gospel
music. Album 6 was a hit propelled by title song like ‘<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uab_LOau5IU" target="_blank">Afande inthe Box’</a> based on a true story Nduati investigated as a police
officer. It’s based on a man conned by a lady who was an inmate. It
also had ‘Konje Gakwa’ another hilarious yet popular song and
‘Nyagu Gakwa’ a high energy drum dominated dance track. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Album 7 was <span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="font-size: small;">N</span>imugucua'</span> which also did well as per Nduati. Album
8 Mama Dondosa churned out perhaps Nduati most popular Kikuyu Songs
like Kindiria Urimu and Ngero Ya Mbia. The two songs are hilarious
and comical as Nduati sings them as imagined stories. Album 9 titled
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKxNPZCpl_4" target="_blank">Nani Yuko Salama</a> followed. It’s a Swahili album that touches on
dangerous issues police go through in line of duty. Album 10 titled
‘Nyumba Ya Uthamaki’ was a political album released early 2013,
praising Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as Kenya’s president. The
album sold around 5000 copies on release in TNA strongholds of
Central Kenya. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Latest Album</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">His latest album 11
features Clearing and Forwarding<span style="font-size: small;">/</span>‘Wendo wa Teargas’ song and was released July 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;">
2013 about a lady Doctor who fell in love with an police officer
quelling riots during a doctors strike. The officer provided the lady
with water to wipe her eyes off teargas. The album also has a song on
national cohesion titled ‘Twendanira’ and another ‘Maitu wa
Ruriri on Mama Ngina Kenyatta. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Compositions</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Nduati admits in his
compositions he incorporates various genres like Chakacha, Pop and
lingala. “I sit down with my instrumentalists and instruct them how
to play,” he said. Composing for him comes naturally almost like a
spiritual experience that hits him even when he is working as a
police officer. “It’s something abrupt,” says Nduati. ‘Mama
Dondosa’ and ‘Afande in the Box’ have sold 15,000 coped and
Nyumba ya Uthamaki 10,000 as per Nduati. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Music and Police Duty</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As a singing police
officer Nduati is appreciative of his seniors who have never hindered
him from engaging his talent. Now in Matuu Nduati appreciates his
boss Superintendent Joel Sang who is supportive of his musical
endeavors. For him though music earns him more he is passionate and
proud police officer which he will be until he retires. “That title
the singing cop makes me proud,” he said especially when in events
or clubs where fellow cops, warders or army attend. “They cheer
knowing that is one, of their own,” said an overwhelmed Nduati.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When in police duties he
admits with a laughter at times finding it hard to arrest people.
“Its my job but I thank GOD I’ve never been in dangerous
situations even when I was in patrol Nairobi,” he adds. As he is
based in operations room in Yatta Police <span style="font-size: small;">d<span style="font-size: small;">ivision</span></span> that gives him
flexibility to compose songs as his police work is from 8am to 5pm
job. Most of his shows are on evenings from 8pm on Fridays and
Saturdays on those weekends he is booked to perform. “Having
seniors who support is vital, I’ve never been harassed for singing,”
said Nduati. None of Nduati’s two sons have an interest in music.
His first born is studying Bachelor of Science in statistics at
Kenyatta University the <span style="font-size: small;">younger</span> in Primary school. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Nduati admits he is open
to performing outside Kenya if given a chance. Radio Jambo owned by
Njoki wa Ndegwa, in Boston recently interviewed him asking when he
will perform. “They play my songs there,” said Nduati. His most
memorable performance was in 2008 before he had an accident. Then he
was involved a promotion that cemented his status as a central Kenya
performer. Fans can interact with him at
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/officialkakamannduati">www.facebook.com/officialkakamannduati</a>
</span>
</div>
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</div>
kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824524 36.827275800000052-1.2903898999999999 36.817190800000056 -1.2745149 36.837360800000049tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-14997831601138369422013-07-05T07:12:00.000-07:002013-07-05T07:12:08.442-07:00Ben Githae: The “mabataro makwa” hit maker shares his colorful musical journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before Ben Githae, sung Kikuyu gospel
music for Kenya and the rest of the world, his first audience as a
young boy growing up in Nduthi-Ini Village, Gatundu South comprised
of coffee pickers. Instead of picking coffee, he would be perched on
a coffee tree and singing for those picking. “My passion for music
started at an early age,” remembers Githae.
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Growing Up</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He attended Muthurumbi Primary School
and at that age knew he had a special gift among his peers of
memorizing songs. As he remembers once he heard a song, he needed to
hear it just once more, to be able to memorize it all, without
messing any word. “I think I loved singing more than I do today as
then I was a fan today other people are my fans,” Githae told
Kikuyu Musicians. At primary school, other children came so he could
copy songs lyrics for them. That led him to be nicknamed ‘Karendiu’
(small radio) for his love of anything singing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Early Musical Influences</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the era of mid 70s the likes of John
Ndichu of ‘Cucu wa Gakunga’ fame and later Mary Wambui, Mary
Atieno, Shari Martin and the Kassangas in the 80s were musicians
Githae admired. In primary school he was the vocalist during school
festivals. He also at an early age was involved in Kikuyu children
radio programs at KBC hosted by Jemimah Mwaura like Nyihia Hwai.
Those programs used to tell stories of Wangombe wa Ihura and Githae
would also sing on them.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Afterwards he went to Ituro high school
where singing took a backseat to acting though he still sang
traditional songs. “I was a very good actor and well known in
Gatundu,” said Githae. After high school and getting a C+, his
grandmother employed him, in her Posho mill as Githae explored his
college options. Incidentally another now famed Kikuyu Gospel
Musician Jane Muthoni used to work with Githae in that Posho Mill.
Jane Muthoni, has actually composed a song “Ciugo Cia Kanua”
based on her experience working in that Posho Mill owned by Githae’s
grandparents.
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Entry to recording</b></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Working there, did not dim Githae’s
musical aspirations in the village he was known as Githae of Carry 1
who loves to sing and works in a Posho Mill. Carry 1 was his
grandfather’s nickname. Then in 1994 he got born again and with
Jane Muthoni they used to compose songs at the Posho Mill. They also
began leading praise and worship in churches around Gatundu and got
many invites. “But we were good according to village standards,”
recalls Githae laughing. In 1995, Githae composed ‘Mwiri Uyu’
while Jane also composed the famed hit ‘Giagai na hinya mwi thiini
wa Mwathani.’ He desired to record.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
People advised him to tape himself in a
cassette then, approach a producer with recorded material. He
approached Joseph Kamaru in 1996 with samples and Kamaru felt Githae
could sing. As he had no money to record, all production expenses
were shouldered by Kamaru. His first album ‘Mwiri Uyu’ was
released that year. Githae remembers challenges for a budding
musician then, wishing to have music receive radio airplay on KBC was
that one had to go through known producers. Then it was the era of
producers like Kamaru, Kassangas, Kimani Thomas and Wamaitu
Productions.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Parental Resistance</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The desire by Githae to be a musician
wasn’t shared by his mom. Among the college options explored for
Githae by his aunt was studying to be a teacher. There was also an
uncle who could have connected him to study in medical college as a
clinical officer. But Githae was adamant he wanted to be in music.
This irked her mother, to thinking he was crazy. She would challenge
Githae to be in a respectable dignified profession like a teacher or
clinical officer not a musician. He persisted on his stand and in
1996 released ‘Mwiri uyu’ produced by Kamaru.
</div>
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</div>
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“I didn’t earn much from the album,
the terms were awful but all the same I became a musician,” said
Githae. The agreement with Kamaru was that per cassette sold he would
earn Sh10. However for him to start earning the Sh10 per cassette,
Kamaru would first have to sell 2000 cassettes to offset his
production expenses. Still he managed to sell the 2000 copies and
started receiving the cash.
</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For his second album he approached
Peter Kigia who had better terms. Kigia gave him a down payment and
per cassette sold Githae would earn Sh20 since he perceived Githae
would sell and had talent. There he released a famed Swahili album
“Chunga Ulimi Wako.” In 2002 he decided to self produce and
around then Kameme FM had launched so for Githae who was a household
name taking his music there was easy. He released ‘Aganu no
Marithira’ he would sell it in crusades and churches and also
released ‘Ndathima’ album. In 2005 he released ‘Nigukwagira.’
But in 2006 Githae decided to modernize his recording from the River
Road style.
</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Kisima Award</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next album was produced at an up
market studio in Westlands. It produced a monster of Swahili hit
‘Mulianza na Roho’ that won Githae a Kisima Award. In 2007 he
released ‘ona ageria niekuremwo’ album that had hits like ‘niwe
unjikite uu Mwathani’ and ‘irathimo Ciakwa.’ The following year
he released ‘Timiza Maono’ a Swahili album. In 2010 he released
the famed ‘Mabataro Makwa’ album which was a crossover hit among
various tribes in Kenya. In 2011 he released ‘kaba kwiyaria’ and
‘witue mundu’ albums the latter a wisdom for living hit. In 2012
he released ‘Tabia Mbaya’ album and his latest in 2013 is ‘Guthii
ni Guthii’ with hits like jubilee.
</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Composing Style and Mabataro Makwa
Influence</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Being such a prolific musician, when
composing Githae draws song writing inspiration from situations he
observes and the Bible. He also strives to make his songs relatable
to everyday living. “Ultimately it’s GOD who gives me
revelation,” said Githae. For his cross over hit ‘Mabataro
Makwa’ he composed the song while on a plane from US to London
seated near an old white grandma from UK. As he assisted her buckle
and open a can of soda, the grandma would narrate to Githae of how
rich she was, and properties she owned but not in a prideful manner.
She told Githae, all she does nowadays is travel around the world to
see her children and grandchildren.</div>
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</div>
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As he flew from UK to Nairobi
inspiration for ‘Mabataro Makwa’ hit Githae and the song about
him desiring to be blessed by GOD abundantly occupied him. In the
song there is a phrase if GOD created the earth and heavens by his
Word, fulfilling Githae’s needs is no big deal to him. When he
landed in Nairobi he polished the song that subsequently became a de
facto spiritual anthem to every Kenyan, with needs waiting on GOD to
fulfill them.
</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For Githae, composing comes
chronologically like a story with melodies in tow. But there are
songs that are problematic that he at times has to rest when
composing and resume later with a fresh outlook. “ But others take
20 minutes,” he said. He attributes the longevity of his songs to
GOD’s favor and also writing messages that relate to people and are
Biblical. He points to a song like ‘Mulianza na Roho’ to
illustrate how that Biblical message he based the song on, as still
relevant today.
</div>
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</div>
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<b>Humility amidst fame</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Regardless of the fame he has received,
Githae regards humility as key to exaltation. “Don’t let the
celebrity mentality get into your head you will become prideful,”
he said. “Let your songs go up in fame and leave you down here as
Ben Githae,” he adds. According to him songs are the hit not the
musicians. Though piracy he admits has hit him, he says advances in
technology have opened other avenues for earning through music like
Safaricom’s Skiza tunes and ringtones. “Concerts and shows I
perform in can’t be pirated and I can’t complain, GOD has blessed
me,” he adds.
</div>
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</div>
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<b>Memorable Performances</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To date Githae cites 3 shows as his
most memorable performances. The first was in Nyayo Stadium hosted
by Kameme FM where on taking the stage, people left the stands and
run to the pitch to sing. The other was in Nyeri during the launch
of Kikuyu Bible where Kenya’s former president Mwai Kibaki was
attending. As Githae recalls, the former president even stood to sing
and sway to the music which is uncharacteristic of him. The last
event was by Safaricom in Meru, where he was a supposed to be a
curtain raiser to the likes of Jaguar but he instead eclipsed them.
“I went to that stage and the crowd atmosphere changed it gave me
lots of joy,” Githae remembers.
</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Advice to Upcoming Artistes</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
His advice to upcoming musicians
wishing to make it into the industry is to have their music
professionally produced and aggressively push it to radio and TV.
“Still it’s all about GOD’s favor and timing when it’s your
time HE will make a way,” says Githae. Besides singing, Githae
plays drums and by his humorous admission, is an amateur keyboard
player who plays at events when no one else is available to play. He
also prefers to sing live if instrumentalists are available than with
playback.</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For this father of two daughters, His
faith in Christ guides him and has to coincide with his music to
avoid misleading people. This year 2013 he turns 40 and is not
ashamed to admit it.
</div>
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Kikuyu Musicians Copyrights </div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com1River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824524 36.827275800000052-1.2903898999999999 36.817190800000056 -1.2745149 36.837360800000049tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-60986911497358630092013-07-04T09:47:00.002-07:002013-07-09T23:46:29.893-07:00Jerrie Jesh:Ushering a new era of gospel musicals at River Road Nairobi<style type="text/css">
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Though not famous as her contemporaries
in Kikuyu Music in River Road, Jerrie Jesh a gospel artiste, actress
and script writer is ushering a new era in River Road of making
gospel musicals. Already, her first production in 2013 Munabii wa
Maheni (false prophet) starring Kikuyu comedy legend Wandahuhu has
sold over 3000 copies amidst the piracy.
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<b>Early Life</b></div>
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Jerrie’s musical roots began when
growing up in Makuyu where she sang in the church and school choir as
her parents were devout Christians. Her early influences then were
Machakos Town Choir and Tanzania’s music that played on Kenya
Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). When she came to Nairobi in 1991
aspiring to record she couldn’t. Then it was impossible for her to
self produce and she had no money. So she just composed songs and
stored them. She nonetheless, continued in music business by selling
cassettes she bought from Uganda and Tanzania.</div>
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<b>Influences</b></div>
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Her musical role models then were
Joseph Mwaura of Muthini wa Ngai fame. “I used to follow them
where they sang,” remembers Jerrie. However all her compositions
were stolen when her house was burgled around 195 and she lost the
motivation to compose. She left to UK in 2000 where she stayed until
2004. In UK she self produced her album and Mathani Ikumi, (Ten
Commandments) in 2005 just as VCDs shooting was becoming commonplace
at River Road. “The shooting of VCDs was low quality so I decided
to wait,” said Jerrie.
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<b>Debut Album</b></div>
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Self producing for Jerrie was because
most producers she approached were looking for a big name and they
didn’t think she was it. Nevertheless the album sold around 3000
copies boosted by air play it received from kikuyu radio stations
like Inooro, Coro and Kameme FM on release. For Jerrie most of her
compositions come about when she sleeps. “I get choruses, melodies
and songs that way,” she says. Still her signature song Mathani
Ikumi was harder and took years to be perfect. “Once a melody comes
to my head it never disappears,” she said.
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<b>Acting</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfXeJqGCcVKDiKCu5qt0-Cs0tMJoQPfvKPtVZxuxvuuPHQZyQU1xX2-sEfFheIXduvHU7MBzMD6MuQYfdMgsddHra9cPbn4mbBcPo9murCwvLFg14CS3oahNPCw4HQUP-8RuT8zDrr9zA/s1600/actingj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfXeJqGCcVKDiKCu5qt0-Cs0tMJoQPfvKPtVZxuxvuuPHQZyQU1xX2-sEfFheIXduvHU7MBzMD6MuQYfdMgsddHra9cPbn4mbBcPo9murCwvLFg14CS3oahNPCw4HQUP-8RuT8zDrr9zA/s200/actingj.jpg" width="200" /></a>To market her music she relies on
friends and words of mouth. This is to avoid what she calls church
hoping to sell copies which can lead to her losing identity and
lacking spiritual grounding. She has still released a second album
“Njira ni Igiri.” In her new comedy musical film, she says she
wanted to write songs with theatrical plays on them as opposed to
just music. “So more people can connect with the songs messages,” Jerrie said. The mini title BABITO is from Baba, Bibi na Watoto, it’s
about a church run by a greedy false prophet and his equally crooked
wife and children.<br />
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For the production she wrote the
script, directed and acted in it as the neutral observer of the
goings on in the BABITO twisted church. According to Jerrie, her
Christian faith motivates her to sing and act. “It’s my calling
if its not in You, you can’t do it,” she adds. To get her albums
and releases contact her on +254 723 100 195/+254 733 663 999 or by
email <a href="mailto:jeshjames@yahoo.com">jeshjames@yahoo.com</a>
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Copy Rights Kikuku Musicians Publishing<br />
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kikuyumusicians@gmail.com </div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824524 36.827275800000052-1.2903898999999999 36.817190800000056 -1.2745149 36.837360800000049tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-392622789944125862013-07-02T08:48:00.001-07:002013-07-03T09:59:57.524-07:00Leah Mercy Ngugi: From rejection to redemption and ‘uranyarara niki’ inspiration<br />
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Within Kikuyu Gospel Music the song
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChnJkFCq934" target="_blank">‘uranyarara niki’</a> (why belittle me) is a staple in Kikuyu radio
stations and has become a spiritual anthem to encourage those whose
hopes are dashed by life’s trials and tempests. Yet if anyone was
justified from a young age to give up on life, it was the songstress
behind the song, Leah Mercy Ngugi.
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<b>Early Life Rejection</b></div>
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Leah was born to an unwed mother in
Londiani Division Kericho County, over twenty years ago. Her mom
conceived her while in high school, Form 2 as a result her well off,
educated family due to shame she had brought expelled Leah’s
expectant mom from home. Her mom reluctantly went to stay with
Leah’s biological dad until she was born, but they separated later.</div>
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Frustrations got better of Leah’s mom
and she saw her young daughter as reason why her future got
destroyed. As a result by the time Leah was 7 years, she experienced
lots of psychological and physical abuse from her mom. “She had no
ill will but frustrations she got from parents were directed to me,”
said Leah. Her mom also married another man and had children. The
new step father to Leah, unlike her mom was “friendly” to her,
but his intention was to sexually abuse her. It got so bad; that Leah
was almost raped by her step father, at age 10.</div>
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Fearful of telling her mom since she
would be beaten up; her only option was to run from home. She took
refuge at a teacher’s home studied and worked as a house girl. Her
relief was short lived as her mom came for her, beat her and urged
her to leave home and get married. Surprisingly at school,
regardless of domestic troubles Leah was academically brilliant and
used to be number 1 or 2 in Kericho district at exams. Teachers were
lenient on her due to her tough family issues and never punished her
when she got to school late.
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<b>Fleeing home</b></div>
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With life at home unbearable, Leah
travelled to Karatina by lying to get transport there. Getting to
Karatina and stranded, a lady about her business noticed and
approached her. Leah told her he was waiting for a lady who had
promised to employ her as a house girl but couldn’t locate her. The
lady gave her a house girl job at her house where besides being
beaten, she was overworked and had to draw water from a well and
irrigate land every morning and evening. The torture was too much
that she fled and lied to get transport to Nyeri.
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<b>Homelessness</b></div>
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For two days in Nyeri, she wandered
hopelessly and at night, slept in public toilets and bathrooms. By
the 3rd day, she had not eaten. She went to a hotel called Munyaka
and saw a youthful man on a table by himself. Hungry she gathered
courage and told him she was hungry. The man ordered food for her.
After eating she poured all her life frustrations on her. It was odd
for her since in her life no matter, what she went through she never
told anyone. Though the man was startled at first by her story, he
broke out laughing. The man told her it’s no big deal and it’s
normal to be chased away from home as he had also been chased. Leah
got encouraged and saw it as normal to be chased away.
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The man offered her a “home” to
stay and told her there are others like him who had been chased way.
Leah agreed and the man Njoroge later insisted he call her dad.
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<b>Living with Gangsters in a Cave</b></div>
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The man took her to a cave hidden in
thickets by River Chania minutes away from Karatina town. The cave
had thin mattresses, clothes and 5 other men. He introduced Leah to
them as his daughter and organized for her, to be getting breakfast,
lunch and supper at Munyaka Hotel at his expense. He used to give
her money to buy mitumba (second hand) clothes at markets in Nyeri.
For Leah, the cave was the best place she had lived. She considered
it home since she had been in worse off situations. “I got to sleep
without fear and I was happy,” said Leah.
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Every evening they left and told her
they had jobs of loading dry maize to trucks. They returned in the
morning with wrapped up bhang. Leah was given the task of sorting
seeds from dried plants. Then she didn’t know it was bhang. When
they smoked it, they told her its medicine to treat their brain
disorders. They also forbade her to smoke it by telling her if she
did, she would be sick like them. But Within her she sensed something
was amiss with the men but she was naïve to point it out.
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Guns also used to lie around the cave
but she had no idea what they were. “I’d never watched TV but I
wondered what those were,” said Leah laughing. One day as she
wandered around Nyeri she saw a policeman with an AK-47 gun similar
to what she saw at the cave. Days later as she wandered in Majengo
area a shoot out broke out between thugs and police. To her surprise
one of the men involved was a man who lived in the cave. The police
apprehended him by shooting his head and foot. Leah ran back to the
cave crying and told Njoroge one of the accomplice had been shot.
She was scolded by him and asked where she learned that was a shoot
out.
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Njoroge laughed and dismissed the shoot
out as street play. She was warned if she saw that happen again she
should run back “home.” He also enquired if she had been followed
but she wasn’t. She was also warned never to ask about that
particular shot uncle again she never saw him again. Another day as
she went to a show in Ruringu stadium after Njoroge gave her Sh200
she bumped into another shoot out. Another of the robber Gichomo in
the cave was shot and arrested, Leah never saw him again.
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She ran back home with questions on
their lifestyle. When she told Njoroge he was livid and insisted to
her that was another street play not a shoot out. They were
eliminated gradually. The third thug disappeared only Njoroge her
“Dad” and Kamau were left. One day when her “Dad” was out
Kamau attempted to rape her, she screamed and Kamau told her it’s
only a play. She ran out crying into the thickets it brought
recurring memories of her step Dad attempted rape years earlier.
Luckily Njoroge arrived and asked her “my child why are you crying”
when he saw her.
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When Leah narrated her near rape
ordeal, Njoroge her “Dad” had a physical confrontation with Kamau
and stabbed him. Kamau screamed at Njorge “why do you want to kill
me over a child You don’t know. “ Njoroge who led the gang threw
his belongings out of the cave and expelled Kamau. “I think bhang
made them very angry, Kamau left bleeding,” said Leah. The turn of
events stressed Leah and at night she seldom slept due to fear. She
left the cave and ran off to Mahiga market at evening as she stood
there, stranded a lady saw and approached her.
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Leah lied to her she was waiting for a
Mama Wanja who had promised her a job. All ladies with that name
were called and she said it was neither of them. The lady, decided
to take her to be a house girl for her daughter. She was around 12
years and the lady who employed her, treated her well. After two days
she went looking for Njoroge in the cave and found him washing his
face in the morning. Shocked, he asked where she had been, Leah told
him she got a job and was well treated. She took him to a
neighborhood where she was employed. Satisfied Njoroge allowed her
to stay there.
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<b>Njoroge - Gangster and Father Figure</b></div>
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One thing about Njoroge “Dad” that
left an indelible mark in Leah’s life to date was despite Njoroge
being a thug he counseled her on never to steal and to be obedient.
“That man was my dad and mom,” recalls Leah. Every evening he
came to check on her or at times in the morning. He would
whistle and she would come out to avoid being discovered by her
employer. She nevertheless discovered and but thought it was Leah’s
boyfriend. Around that time Leah learned from a lady friend that in
Nairobi there were better job opportunities.
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<b>Coming to Nairobi</b></div>
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She came to Nairobi alone and ended up
in Kawangware. As she wandered about a lady who knew her from
Londiani recognized her. She led Leah to her uncle’s place living
in Kawangware. She worked there without pay but later got a house
girl’s job at friend of her uncle’s. The lady of the house paid
her Sh1200. She was overworked sleeping at 1am and waking up at 4am.
She also at times never ate breakfast or lunch and supper was in
rations. One day during street skirmishes in Kawangware she took a
different route and ended up in her uncle’s home. She narrated to
him all she went through.
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Her livid uncle told her to stay but
she insisted to go back for her belongings at her employer’s home.
Going back to pick her stuff the lady threw Leah out. Afterwards,
she had a change of heart on realizing the diligence Leah had when
she worked did for her. She cried and begged her uncle to allow her
but to no avail. While Leah still worked there, from her savings she
would buy curtains, mitumba clothes and resell them. God blessed her
with another house girl job that paid her Sh2000.
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<b>Early Business Beginnings</b></div>
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Not long, the owner who was a widower
got so impressed with her work caring for her kids and great
housekeeping and gave her a raise of Sh500. Since she had lots of
free time, she noticed that across the street where she lived was a
club owned by one of her employer’s brothers. Her employer allowed
her to open a sausage stand next to it which she ran in her free
time. The stand flourished that she opened another one and employed
an attendant. Then she was 17 years and quit her house girl job.</div>
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<b>Business Flourishing and God’s
Favor</b></div>
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Her budding business of selling mitumba
and curtains flourished that she rented a one bed roomed apartment
for Sh5000 and later one for Sh9000. She then moved her business to
Kahawa West. In 2007 she released her first album ‘Tigai gutua
thakame ya Jesu Mai’ She got connected to the music industry
through Murimi wa Kahalf of Momo fame who her customer. Later she
met Trizah Wambui who was back up vocalist for <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/05/nd-githuka-ahiurania-hit-maker-shares.html" target="_blank">ND Githuka’s Kahii</a>
CD and also backed her. She released her second album in which
didn’t do well and a follow up Swahili album titled Unaweza in
2009.
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<b>Release of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChnJkFCq934" target="_blank">Uranyarara Niki</a> Album</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Album Launch @St Andrews</td></tr>
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However <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChnJkFCq934" target="_blank">Uranyarara Niki </a>her 4<sup>th</sup>
album, brought her to fore of Kikuyu Gospel Music receiving much
airplay in Coro, Inooro and Kameme FM. It was launched in April 14
2013, at St Andrews University way an event which <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/06/mc-wa-nguvu-jeremy-damaris-on-lifes.html" target="_blank">Jeremy Damaris was MC</a>. The song’s inspiration came after she got a lift in a vehicle
owned by a friend who wasn’t willing to give it to her. By the
time she got home she had the whole song worked out. She didn’t
think much of the song even when she presented it late to Dede
Records producer as album filler. When the producer heard it, he told
her that is the main song. Her preference and one she thought would
have impact on release was titled <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6oZK3xzoi0" target="_blank">thimu ya Ngai</a> (God’s Phone line).
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<b>Album Airplay and Impact</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When she took the song to Kameme FM PM
Squared opted to play Uranyarara Niki though Leah wasn’t convinced
the song was a gem. Wanjiru wa Mbugua (Dere Supa) from Coro FM also
preferred the song as well as Man Simo of Inooro FM. The song ended
up becoming a monster hit and the album has so far sold 25,000
copies. “I thank God for uplifting me yet there are so many
musicians’ songs never get airplay not because they are not good,”
Leah told Kikuyu Musicians.
</div>
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<b>Reconciliation with Mom</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Looking back at her life so far, Leah
glorifies God for covering her in all she went through. Though her
mom rejected her she has never hated or had grudges at her. By time
of her passing in 2011 they were best of friends. “Though she
tortured me, she made me get to where I am today,” says Leah. Her
mom got born again and was her intercessor until her death. Though
her mom asked her for forgiveness later Leah never bore in grudges
against her. “She would pray and fast for me for days,” remember
Leah. “I think God took her because I had turned her into a god
and stopped prayed,” she adds. For her even if she is offended she
forgets and moves on quickly. “I think it’s a weakness,” Leah
says laughing.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Sharing Story at Kameme FM</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When she shared her story on Kameme FM
with presenter Rachel Wa Kuria the morning of launching ‘Uranyarara
Niki’ album several suicides were averted. After the show 10 people
called to tell her they were on verge of suicide but stopped and to
date they still call. One case that struck her was of a lady who had
already mixed up poison but opted to take it after listening to her
story. She didn’t kill herself and ended up born again. Children
were also reconciled with estranged parents. When she shared her
story at Kameme FM she was surprised by the reception since to her,
her life was ordinary. “There are people who have gone through
worse, than me,” said Leah.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Life’s Lesson</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From her life’s lesson she pleads
with people to know for every trials and difficult times, there is a
reason and God may have them there to usher one to destiny. Also
living with Njoroge the gangster made Leah realize, God doesn’t
have to use a Christian to help You. God uses worst of characters to
be a blessing to a person like HE used Njoroge. “God also likes
humility and out of that he will give You a testimony,” said Leah.
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>On Njoroge her Gangster “Father”</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Looking back at the one year she spent
in the cave under his care, Leah reckons God must have put an angel
in the soul of Njoroge. This considering that Njoroge cared for her
like a father to a daughter when he wasn’t obligated to, if
anything Leah thinks, Njoroge could have done the worst to her if he
wished, but didn’t. Looking back to her young life it’s now she
notes the many risks she was under. She used to pray and that to her
that was ordinary life even sleeping in public bathrooms.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGnaJjRoD0t-d2cp6k5_0vfYxkIXpRnu6ecgcVTQiCT_563G_BCj26raDXSU5KgQlt6X5OrV_o5SxUOd3mJs9q3f5N69SIg6QxVs05t1hSf1IlnDPrfSwuzeYbV4YJnafCEbRzzNsoHbM/s960/counselor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGnaJjRoD0t-d2cp6k5_0vfYxkIXpRnu6ecgcVTQiCT_563G_BCj26raDXSU5KgQlt6X5OrV_o5SxUOd3mJs9q3f5N69SIg6QxVs05t1hSf1IlnDPrfSwuzeYbV4YJnafCEbRzzNsoHbM/s200/counselor.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Counselor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Her unfilled wish is to meet Njoroge
and thank him. She has gone back severally to trace him in Nyeri to
no avail. Since they parted when she came to Nairobi, Leah has never
seen Njoroge again. “If I was to see him he would be my dad and
best friend,” Leah says. Today she is a counselor to schools,
couples and churches. She is also a building contractor who has
helped musicians like Wakabura Joseph, Solomon Nganga and Loise Kim
in their real estate building ventures.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Supporting Kikuyu Gospel</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To support Kikuyu Gospel Leah has paid
studio time for budding gifted gospel musicians who lack money to
produce without ever asking for a refund. She however laments that
gospel music today has become commercialized and more entertainment.
According to her, when albums are being sold they need to be
accompanied by preaching. “If one soul is saved there is more
blessing,” said Leah.
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kikuyu Musicians Copyrights
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com5Nairobi, Kenya-1.2920659 36.821946199999957-1.5460579 36.499222699999955 -1.0380739 37.144669699999959tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-14414800422348455112013-06-08T17:16:00.001-07:002013-08-27T06:39:58.184-07:00MC wa Nguvu Jeremy Damaris: on life’s trials, triumphs and God’s faithfulness<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6SP74A8IQG8czTvPv0kj7UJiTdL5h1qy-V3t3aTz4dvfT2_rFrFIwOtclSRjNkPWkVtPTMKKFAnfmU6mMt3mcgCYhPQGGje4r72ScHN2AG-K86v4ojYwjIsMPodfoyyP7ooxSAZ4n99s/s1600/JDforReal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6SP74A8IQG8czTvPv0kj7UJiTdL5h1qy-V3t3aTz4dvfT2_rFrFIwOtclSRjNkPWkVtPTMKKFAnfmU6mMt3mcgCYhPQGGje4r72ScHN2AG-K86v4ojYwjIsMPodfoyyP7ooxSAZ4n99s/s200/JDforReal.jpg" width="200" /></a>Within
Kikuyu Gospel Music scene Jeremy Damaris in recent years has proved the go to
<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/08/ngaruiya-junior-from-rebellious-drug_2350.html" target="_blank">MC</a>, when artistes are launching their albums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His engaging, funny, clean and unique style of <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/08/ngaruiya-junior-from-rebellious-drug_2350.html" target="_blank">MCing</a> has landed him gigs
in Central Kenya to emcee campaign rallies of the current Kenyan President
Uhuru Kenyatta. </div>
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<br />
<b>Early Life</b></div>
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Yet for a
young Jeremy, growing up in a poor single mother led household in Ngegu, Kiambu
County, life didn’t offer much promise beyond completing primary school and
working in coffee plantations where his mom, aunties, uncles and grandfather worked
as labourers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That environment made a
young Jeremy lose interest in studying while in primary school but not out of
stupidity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never aspired to be
anything in future after school, but one thing he told her mom was he wanted to
be a pastor. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Even at that
young age, when Jeremy accompanied his mom Damaris Wambui to fields, he climbed
trees and would look down on arrowroots leaves address, them and imagine their
swaying as people waving back at him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
then used to admire Pastor Pius Muiru who broadcast on radio and TV and wished
to one day preach like him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremy would
also imitate newscasters and would also love music by Hezeh Ndungu and John
Ndungu of mwitio wa mwiri fame. </div>
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<br />
<b>High School</b> <b>Life</b> <b>and wearing Ladies Shoes</b></div>
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After
completing primary school, Jeremy never imagined enrolling for high school but
his mom surprised him by getting him a place at Kiambu Township Secondary
School. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This terrified him as he could
barely construct an English sentence and he had heard people spoke in English
in high school. Still he did get admitted in 2000 and with that, broke a family
tradition of never getting to high school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the school was able to provide uniform,
Jeremy’s mom could not afford proper shoes for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shoes available to him were high heeled ladies
shoes that made him a laughing stock by other students. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I didn’t know
they were ladies shoes, so it didn’t bother me” Jeremy remembers, as he never
wore any in primary school. He wore them in Form 1 and partly Form 2. Even then
studies were of little interest to Jeremy until one day it rained so heavily.
As he watched rains pound, he remembered his mom who worked in coffee plantations
and wept bitterly at her agony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In those
plantations workers were not allowed to have umbrellas or shelter from rain or
you would lose your job. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br />
<b>Mom's Sacrifices</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
His mom’s
sacrifices made Jeremy purpose to commit himself to studies. He realized the reason
why his mom worked in those plantations to get fees was so, he would not have
to work in them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By studying hard he was
able to improve on his from number 20 in previous term to 3. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His desire to pastor in ACK or PCEA came
alive. Teachers took notice of his improvement and in Form 2 towards the end he
was made the head boy second only to the school captain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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That required
he get proper men’s shoes a Swahili teacher Mrs. Obiero summoned him and asked
why he wore them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremy explained he
had no other pair but sports shoes that the school never allows to be won. “It
was then I realized it was ladies shoes,” Jeremy told Kikuyu Musicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By then the heel was won out and shoe
twisted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To polish it, black Jeremy
crushed old torch batteries and mixed the black with paraffin and applied it. Out
of compassion Mrs Obiero bought him a new pair of shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However lack of school fees meant Jeremy was
constantly being expelled.<br />
<br />
<b>Completing High School </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But the
headmaster always explained to him first that he didn’t expel him because he
desired it but due to regulations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He encouraged
Jeremy and tell him he would be a great man in future in vein of other church
leaders then like Ndingi Mwana Nzeki or Archibishop Gitari the head of ACK
Church who had the ear of the nation yet like him had difficult starts in life.
This spurred Jeremy to an extent that in 2003 he led in KCSE results at the
school by scoring a B+. The grade was a first even for the high school. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Completing
high school was bitter sweet experience for him as his prospects in
life darkened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mom could only afford
to pay for him a driving course or a computer packages but not college and neither
appealed to Jeremy. He had wanted to study to be a teacher. She gave up convincing
him and told him to fend for himself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
4 brothers they lived in a single room with his mom and as he never wished to
be a burden, he moved out in 2004 to fend for himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br />
<b>Hawking cakes jobs</b></div>
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Jeremy got a
job hawking cakes in paper bags and walking long distances. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hired a bicycle for Sh40 to make his work
easier in distributing. One day he cycled from Kiambu town to Ngomongo,
Githurai, Kahawa West and back to Kiambu in a bid to sell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of all that effort, he sold only one cake for
sh25 which meant he had earned a commission of sh2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he got back home with remaining 24
untouched packets he was so emotionally broken he never went back to the cake
company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also had a debt of the guy
who hired the bicycle to him. </div>
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<br />
<b>Church Expulsion</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
His mother
borrowed money and he bought him a bicycle. With that he got another job in
another company, facilitated by GP husband to Shiro wa GP of agiginyani fame who
also sold cakes from a bicycle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
new company commissions were better and he got Sh5 per cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also desired to record an album so he did
a fundraising in his village for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the person he appointed as treasurer was a Pastor who after
receiving the money disappeared never to be seen again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This caused the whole village to perceive
Jeremy as a con as he never recorded or proceeded to college. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he narrated the said Pastor ran off with
the money he was excommunicated from the church.</div>
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<b>First Album</b> <b>and Pulling Mkokoteni</b></div>
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In the
process of selling cakes he met a lady who offered to fund his recording out of
pity. He released his first album “aruto a Jesus” (Jesus disciples).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It only sold 50 cassettes and in frustration
Jeremy burnt all the 1000 album sleeves he had printed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then as selling the cakes had low returns of
around sh50 in a day Jeremy quit and got another job of selling sodas from a
rickshaw (mkokoteni).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a sure
salary of Sh4000 monthly and this appealed to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
However,
pulling mkokoteni with 20 crates of sodas while selling them around Kiambu town
proved even more taxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First he had to
eat breakfast worth Sh50 to be ready yet by 11am he would be starving to
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a month he found he at times
spent Sh3000 food or more than he earned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was a loss making job and was penniless,”
said Jeremy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The insults he suffered
while pulling mkokoteni on the road from motorists and touts inspired a song “nikuri
mwihoko” there is hope. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I cried as I
sang the song,” remembers Jeremy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got
money to record and planned the album launch in 2008. </div>
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<br />
<b>Developing MC's Skills</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
From the
launch he got Sh20, 000 and quit the soda job to focus on hawking the album. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any day he would never give the impression
he was selling CDs to avoid first time rejection. Instead he would wear a suit
and stash 10CDs in the pocket and knock around homes or approach strangersThat
way, when approaching a potential buyer he engaged them in a conversation first
not giving the impression he sold anything. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he remembers that was when his MC skills
began to develop due to his convincing nature. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I avoided
carrying a bag so people wouldn’t mistake me as Jehovah witness,” said
Jeremy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To potential buyers he came up
with crafty techniques to get them to buy his CDs. It worked, in 3 months, he sold
1000 CDs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet they were never promoted
or played on any Kikuyu radio station. He hawked them in Ikinu, Githunguri, Ndumberi
and Kiambu town. In one of the CD selling jaunts in 2008 he met a man who asked
him to sing at his wedding. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremy
insisted he be invited as an MC as he was the better than the one who had been
asked. “Yet I had never been an MC but I was convinced I’d do it,” said Jeremy.</div>
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<br />
<b>First MCing Gig</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So audacious
was Jeremy that he insisted he had trained the MC who was invited. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was invited to a pre-wedding for raising funds
where he did an exemplary job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the
job he charged 2500 half of what the other MC charged and he got the job and
other 3 people took his contacts. The wedding was attended by prominent
personalities including Joseph Kamaru’s wife who was so impressed with Jeremy’s
clean language MC style that later that evening she got him another job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That got him other wedding MC gigs that paid
Sh2000 to 3000. “But they were scarce and I lacked money,” said Jeremy.</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Working in Coffee Plantations</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
To
supplement his income he was forced to get a job at the coffee plantation in
2008 as the CDs were selling slowly and he had exhausted his market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was also catering as well for his
siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the plantation he worked
from 6am to 2pm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The work entailed
uprooting coffee stumps, spraying, irrigating and weeding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hated the job and constantly prayed to God
to get him out of there after few months. People he found working there made
his life difficult as they scorned him, for prior to joining them he was in music
and always sharply dressed and never imagined him working with them there. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33mt0mZoINiDthjsCebnr4RIkKDWjzNjydm2G7wQRyWwBf-AWPDRYhJz2RTkTIvrqlE9wUiDa1WSrPw3ofckiLIzyKxY9l68X79DWZVVAys-ckS09iJ6XBMZJnbabQ5dReVsEB3cTz1DI/s1600/JDLast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33mt0mZoINiDthjsCebnr4RIkKDWjzNjydm2G7wQRyWwBf-AWPDRYhJz2RTkTIvrqlE9wUiDa1WSrPw3ofckiLIzyKxY9l68X79DWZVVAys-ckS09iJ6XBMZJnbabQ5dReVsEB3cTz1DI/s200/JDLast.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b> Hopelessness and Challenges in Coffee Plantations</b><br />
“I was hopeless
the work was challenging and wasn’t able to work as well as them,” said Jeremy.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every night they would go into the
plantations at 11pm and irrigate the coffee until 6am at times getting drenched.
“I felt that was not my place but had no alternatives,” said Jeremy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked for a job as a watchman as he deemed
it less torturous as watchman at times slept and he got it. The pay was sh4000 and
it was then he prayed to God to get him out from there. He used to tell his
fellow workers who scorned him one day they will see him in his car driving and
testify of God’s goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<b>Song from Coffee Plantations</b> <b>and Teaching Job</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Then in
those plantations he got a song “especially mwaka uyu Ngai niekudathima” in
2009. Fellow watchman got jealous of him and he was shifted back to working in
the coffee plantations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His job now
entailed uprooting coffee stumps and his arms developed boils due to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coffee plantation was sold to another
company and Jeremy was among those affected by downsizing in April 2010. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I lifted my arms and thanked God,” he said. Shortly
after he got a teaching job due to his good KCSE grades teaching a small
private academy. He was to teach English from Class 4 to 8 yet he had no clue
on teaching or where to start but God gave him wisdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His arms still with boils he kept concealed
when interacting with kids as he felt embarrassed.</div>
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<br />
<b>Fired for refusing sexual advances</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On his 3<sup>rd</sup>
day on the job he got promoted as the headmaster and given an office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yet a week earlier I was uprooting coffee
stumps,” said Jeremy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who had
scorned him in the coffee plantation started hearing he was now a headmaster
and began to see the hand of God in Jeremy’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worked for 2 terms but by 3rd term the
school owner began to develop romantic interest in Jeremy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he failed to reciprocate her advances he
was fired under other pretences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he
warned the teachers he left behind. He went back to hawking his CDs and being
an MC in late 2011. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<b>MCing at Album Launches</b> <b>and Fundraising</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Still in
2011 Jeremy got invited to MC an album launches for James Warachi and Sarah Wainana.
So exemplary was his work that other musicians stated their interest in him
MCing their album launches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after
Shiro wa GP launched her album Muoroto and Jeremy was the MC with many
prominent Kikuyu Gospel Musicians in attendance who noticed his uniqueness and
fundraising prowess. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<b>Starting a Hotel</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
From savings
he had, in 2012, he started a small hotel in Ngegu where he sold Chapatis, fries
Tea and Mandazis early last year (2012). He also sold charcoal which he did during
the week when he wasn’t MCing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hotel
flourished and villagers began getting jealous of his success. Shortly after, 4
women started selling charcoal next to him at lower prices. Others also began
selling fries he was left without customers yet he had just had a young months
old son. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That required extra income and
he left the hotel to his brother to run other businesses. </div>
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<br />
<b>Son's Illness, Death, Desperation and Village Gossip</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Around June
last year (2012) tragedy struck his household, his son fell ill and died. That
shattered Jeremy so badly as he had exhausted his savings in his son’s
treatment and the hotel and charcoal business was collapsing. Gossip about his
tragic predicaments spread around Ngegu to an extent naysayers predicted he
would be back working in coffee plantations again. In his penniless state He
was considered a loser and he began question God’s motive for his life. He felt
a deep conviction to move out of Ngegu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He dilly dallied, until one day he came back, and found in one day all
the 30 chapattis, mandazis and tea had not sold not even one in a whole day. He
closed the hotel gave out his hotel stuff to women nearby and moved to Kiambu
town an emotional broke wreck after the burial. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<b>Floodgates of Blessings and MCing Jobs</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
However from
July 2012 floodgates of MCing jobs began coming in a way he had never experienced
before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much so that he was able to
earn enough to get a car worth over Sh600,000 and move his wife to a better
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He afterwards bought land in Juja
and built a 4 room house for his mom and for the first time she never had to
live in a rented home. With more opportunities his fee rose from Sh5000 to
Sh20,000. “I forgot to sing and concentrated on MCing,” remembers Jeremy. He has MCed for <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/07/leah-mercy-ngugi-from-rejection-to.html" target="_blank">Leah Mercy Ngugi</a> too.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8unU2eo0qHIwBVMSjHHdOCxVwG5Jva8wQzla7-vjqxVQLm40ZTAQIBrSgPf-eU-HXjoDQTyTMG7-1MZ8NzKaaHypG6IWAGPGfjviCatKy4LqVIfMyQs2x8iuQ1x8wF19pkd2zIyODYkK/s1600/JeremyTNA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8unU2eo0qHIwBVMSjHHdOCxVwG5Jva8wQzla7-vjqxVQLm40ZTAQIBrSgPf-eU-HXjoDQTyTMG7-1MZ8NzKaaHypG6IWAGPGfjviCatKy4LqVIfMyQs2x8iuQ1x8wF19pkd2zIyODYkK/s200/JeremyTNA.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>MCing for Uhuru Kenyatta Presidential Bid</b><br />
From making
Sh4000 in the coffee plantations he now made Sh20, 000 a weekend. In one of
those events he MCeed, he caught the eye of one of Uhuru Kenyatta’s campaign
strategist who invited him for a meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Here I was thinking I was stuck MCing weddings and album launches,”
said Jeremy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so head over heels;
he didn’t ask how much he would earn in advance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole of January, Jeremy was part of President
Uhuru Kenyatta’s campaign in Central Kenya and daily earned Sh40,000 and his accommodation
and food were catered for. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b>Testifying of GOD's faithfulness</b></div>
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“10 times
what I made in the coffee plantation in a month GOD is faithful,” says Jeremy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name was a common fixture on radio and TV
and that boosted his profile and even watchmen and workers who had scorned him were
awed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I believe anything You dream of
God can give You,” said Jeremy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
himself he bought a plot that he plans to build a home soon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still as he says God surprised him and he won
a US green card lottery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everything I
have desired God has blessed me with,” said Jeremy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For him he desired the blessings he has
received to point people to God not himself. “Troubles can afflict You for 10
years but in a second God can make You a billionaire,” says Jeremy. </div>
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<b>Presenter for Githima Kia Muoyo</b></div>
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At times
when about his business in Kiambu town people point to him and say he is the
man that has dined with Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s current President. “It’s what
God can do,” said Jeremy, the people he worked in the coffee plantations with
are still there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also works as a
presenter of Githima Kia Muoyo on Property TV and interviews various Kikuyu
Gospel Musicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From being born by his
mom who was still in primary school and even got ostracized for sinning, Jeremy
has seen God’s faithfulness.</div>
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<b>Lessons Learned in Tough Times</b></div>
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The great
lesson he has learned is to never compromise on his love for GOD and thank Him
regardless of the circumstances. A year after his son’s passing Jeremy released
an album “Ndoiga ni Wega” as thanks to God for sustaining him and wife through
that loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The song when I wrote it
made me cry as I looked at my son’s picture,” said Jeremy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He advises people in trials, to examine their
hearts to know if they are going through them due to sin or as a test from God.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The album is his 4<sup>th</sup> and it’s
available in various Kikuyu Music stores along River Road. </div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Jeremy Damaris Foundation for Poor Children</b></div>
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Sufferings
Jeremy has gone through have inspired him to start Jeremy Damaris foundation
that educates children of poor single moms. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far it had 10 kids and he aims to have 300
in five years time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to be a
ladder to someone else achieving his dreams to the glory of God,” said Jeremy. </div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0Kiambu, Kenya-1.1748105 36.83041019999996-1.190686 36.81024019999996 -1.158935 36.85058019999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-92163621442969901032013-05-27T09:38:00.000-07:002013-06-07T15:49:07.236-07:00ND Githuka: ‘’Ahiurania’ hit-maker shares his faith and passion for worship music<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }A:link { }</style>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As
a young boy growing up in OlKalou, Nyahururu, in late 70s and early
80s, ND Githuka, the Kenyan <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/03/njuguna-gicheha-fanning-flame-of-kikuyu.html" target="_blank">Kikuyu gospel</a> giant behind hits like
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5WWC4uB8MA" target="_blank">kahii</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbkOchGGOa0" target="_blank">mawiko</a> and the latest<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NehG0BmliA" target="_blank"> ahiurania</a> remembers singing. He
treasured a visitor who passed by their home with a radio cassette as
he got to listen to music. His earliest musical inspirations then
were Julia Lucy, the late Milka Muthoni, and later Hezeh Ndungu,
Geoffrey Wachira of Jesu niwe Nitho and Joseph Mwaura of Muthini wa
Ngai fame. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Early
Starts </b></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Prior
to being born again in 1992, Githuka treasured godliness, reading the
bible and attending Sunday school. “I think that drew me to sing
gospel,” Githuka told Kikuyu Musicians. He loved wisdom for living
songs sung by Kikuyu Music veterans like the late Francis Rugwiti and
Timona Mburu. “I admired their composing, musical arrangements and
messages in the songs,” said Githuka. However as he grew up he
identified more with Kikuyu gospel music, in particular songs by
Joseph Mwaura. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After
completing high school and failing to get sufficient grades for
university where he wanted to study to be a doctor, Githuka got a
teaching job, at James Gichuru high school. He taught Chemistry,
Maths and Biology for two years. His desire was to gain admission to
Medical Training Center but the plan collapsed as well. Instead in
late 1991 to mid 1992 Githuka was admitted to a police college and
after completing his course was posted to Gilgil, anti-livestock
theft unit as an officer. In Gilgil he got born again and somehow
felt his musical gift begin to grow within him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Any
singing doubts he had, were dispelled after Githuka attended a
meeting by Evangelist Teresia Wairimu in Uhuru Park grounds in 1994.
She preached on going for the extra and released a prophetic word
towards the side Githuka was, in the crowd. The word was, some in the
ground were called to be worshippers yet are not singing yet songs
being sung in gospel music were written in 1940s. For Githuka, that
grasped his spirit to an extent that the following morning out of
nowhere, messages and songs came from within him. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">He
started composing and by 1995 released his debut album ‘Tua Itua’
while still a police officer. The album sold 700 cassettes and he
admits there were challenges in producing it. As a naive start up
musician, he didn’t know where to record but Joseph Mwaura guided
him to a studio and shared tips on the recoding process. Still as
Mwaura was busy and couldn’t guarantee to supervise him record all
the songs, Githuka was left at the mercies of the studio staff. He
recalls recording one song and after it was done, was informed it
needed backup singers to be better. However since recording
technology then could not allow adding of back up after one sung it
got spoilt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Lull
in Recording </b></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">With
those lessons learned, he recorded his second album Decapoli in 1998
and did fairly better than the debut selling 3000 cassettes in two
years. It was then Githuka felt something in his music was not
working. He took a break from music to research on production and to
grow spiritually. He dedicated himself to prayer and reading the
word of God. “I kept myself busy writing songs, polishing them and
praying for God’s perfect timing,” Githuka told Kikuyu Musicians.
In the spell away from music in 2001 he composed Kahii and finished it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Leap
of Faith in Kahii release-2005</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In
2005 an inner voice from God prompted Githuka to record his third
album. “The voice was diving and powerful,” he adds. Then he
worked in the police as a telecommunications engineer a course he
pursued in the police force. He also recalls the voice telling him
his work as an engineer was nearly done, as he was called to be a
worshipper. With those spiritual confirmations, Githuka approached a
recording studio without money. “All I had Sh500 in my bank
account,” he recalls smiling but he had unmovable faith. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When
the studio inquired from him, how he would pay, he told them His
father in heaven would write him a check and clear the money once it
matures. Githuka was adamant it was God’s timing. The people he
shared with on his recording project gave and lent him money. In
total, the amount spent was Sh150, 000 to record and shoot the
videos. When Kahii album was released in 2005 its fame spread like
wildfire after getting first played in Inooro FM (where he took the
album) other Kikuyu radio stations like Kameme and Coro FMs picked
it. It brought Githuka to the fore of <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/02/daddy-wa-power-hit-maker-speaks-out.html" target="_blank">Kikuyu Gospel</a> Music. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Later
Kameme gave him the first interview. Kahii success ensured Githuka
even repaid those he owed money even before their set deadlines. In
a short while title song Kahii was known worldwide. Githuka recalls a
non Kenyan Pastor, from Australia who somehow came across the album,
and called him to ask permission to screen the song Kahii to his
congregation. The pastor informed him though his flock can’t
understand Kikuyu language, the song and video was powerfully
inspirational. People in Athens, Japan and Saudi Arabia were also
calling to compliment him. “Yet I have never been to those places
and people don’t understand the language,” Githuka said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Composing
the funny 'Ahiurania'</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">For
Githuka, his composition process is unique for every song. He gets
melodies and messages when resting, driving or in everyday life. He
normally saves his ideas to polish them later. He remembers
composing Kahii and Mbara almost seamlessly. In every composition
the Bible guides him. His latest humorous monster hit “Ahiurania”
(swindlers/cons) is a testament to that. Based on Psalms 55, the song
is based on real life experience Githuka has lived through and at
pains to narrate. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">According
to Githuka, he has had an experience where close family members or
friends borrow money and promise to pay back but never do. “People
who swindle You are not strangers, you even attend church with them,”
said Githuka. Inspiration also came from Githuka, observing corrupt
institutions and how they rip off Kenyans. The songs sum the
solution to such con schemes as God when we pray for him to deliver
us. He composed Ahiurania in 2010/2011 though the album was released
this year 2013, and has so far sold 50,000 copies and due for launch
June 9</span><sup><span style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> at St
Andrews University Way entry free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Combined
he estimates to have sold almost half a million of all his albums in
original copies but confidently estimates he could have sold 10
million but for piracy. He markets his music through wholesalers and
distributors around Kenya or moves it in cars around estates. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Githuka
views gospel music as a ministry requiring leading by the spirit of
God and sustained by the word of God. Walking in humility is vital
as its God the gift giver. “Once You know it’s the Lord who
exalts You won’t exalt yourself but seek to be humble like Jesus as
you seek to mature to his nature,” said Githuka. He adds that
Jesus is the model of humility as He washed His’ disciples’ feet
and we should mirror him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Such
drive pushes him to perform without charging a coin as he reckons no
one can pay for a God given gift. “The levels I have reached I
seek to be a blessing and to bless others,” said Githuka. Freely
You have received freely give to bless God’s people is his
philosophy. Still he is thankful fans buy his music via Skiza tunes
which enables him to continue in the music ministry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stand
Out Ministry Places</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">To
date among the places he has ministered through music, Githuka
remembers a crusade in Jabet Area in Marmanet, Kenya where he got
there late at 7pm. As he sung, 2 stars in the sky moved and stood on
sky above them. After finishing the song Kahii he did an alter call
and 28 people gave their lives to Christ and kids were spirit filled.
The meeting run up to 10PM yet people wanted to continue. He also
recalls ministering in Kagio and Kiamutugu where smoke filled the
room. “There was heavy anointing in those places,” Githuka adds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Future-Worship
Teacher</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As
a passionate worshipper Githuka aims in the coming years to establish
a school of worship along Thika Road to equip worship leaders and
grow their gifts for years to come. He currently mentors upcoming
gospel musicians like </span><a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/02/daddy-wa-power-hit-maker-speaks-out.html"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>CB
Sir</u></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">. He is of the view that, in
Christian music there is nothing like a gospel artiste; rather it’s
a gospel minister in praise and worship. “What angers me is seeing
a music ministry not winning souls to the kingdom, as it should like
other ministries do like evangelistic, apostolic, pastoral and
teaching,” said Githuka. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
father of two confesses there are people who after listening to his
music called, asking to be born again and he leads them on phone.
Afterwards he does follow up and connects them to the nearest
churches so they can grow spiritually. For his public performances he
uses playback to limit on expenses brought about by use of live
instrumentation. He dedicates himself to composing though he admits
he almost learned guitar but someone denied him an opportunity. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Though
open to performing in the diaspora fans in outside countries he
follows the Biblical Mandate in the book of acts of reaching his
Jerusalem before going to Judea. </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You
can contact ND Githuka on +254 720 257 550 or
</span><a href="mailto:kikuyumusicians@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>kikuyumusicians@gmail.com</u></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Publishing
Copyright by Kikuyu Musicians</span></div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com5River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824501 36.827329299999974-1.2903875999999999 36.817244299999977 -1.2745126 36.837414299999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-37883025598684113872013-05-04T10:09:00.000-07:002013-05-04T10:22:20.933-07:00Mary Teacher: ‘Njira Niuguka’ Songstress shares on her music and philosophy <style type="text/css">
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Hailing from Gitige in Muranga, Mary
Njeri Mwangi, popularly known within Kikuyu Music as Mary Teacher,
represents a rare crop of Kikuyu artistes whose debut albums are
hits. Yet, the journey to be considered the next great, among Kikuyu
lady musicians has been laden with challenges and many life lessons
that today inspire her lyrical composition.
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As a young girl growing up in Gitige,
she was in demand to sing in churches, competitions and countless
school music festivals. “People always wanted me to sing,” she
remembers. She loved listening to the song ‘Njambi’ by the
Kikuyu music veteran John Ndemethiu as well as Queen Jane from a
neighbor’s radio cassette. But after high school, her music dream
dimmed when she got employed as a teacher in Dandora for the
underprivileged children. It was a welcome relief as she had lived
with her brother in Kibera after coming to Nairobi. . “Still I
wrote songs for the children to perform” she remembers.</div>
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Teaching wasn’t her choice
profession, she had hoped to be a nurse but lack of fees hindered her
admission to college. For the next 10 years, she taught at various
primary schools but quit, due to low pay to work at Njogu ini
Restaurant. Teaching gave her the performing name Mary Teacher.
Working at Njogu Ini, she was able to save money gradually for
recording as her musical passion had reignited. To meet artistes she
admired their music, she attended Mugithi to see them perform. On
one such performance, she met Karis wa Kinyozi Poa in 2011.
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After listening to Karis’ music, Mary
loved the production quality of his first album. Come 2012, after
saving enough money Karis guided her to studio Sawa. Studio
producers, played for her records of famous musicians they have
produced like Kariuki wa Kiarutara, Ndemethiu and others. She
recorded her debut album, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv3ugFUVNaU&feature=share" target="_blank">‘Njira Niuguka’</a> which has hits like
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaMsLU8sOEc" target="_blank">Whispers</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bp8HjnN9q8" target="_blank">Nganiria Baba</a> and Mwanake Hikania. Among the songs
Whispers, has received the most airplay on Kameme, Coro and Inooro
FM. Afterwards, she learned of Interco Studios owned by Musaimo,
which shot her videos.
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Recording was a gradual process. “I
would save a little then when enough record a song,” said Mary. In
total the album plus shooting the videos cost her Sh200,000. She has
no regrets for spending that amount, as she values investing in
quality. She advices new artistes to care of quality if they want
their songs to be played in various Kikuyu radio stations. “Use
money to get money, don’t cut corners in a bid to save and have low
quality albums produced at a cheap studio,” she said.
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Her investment paid off well, after
releasing the album early 2013, and took it to the three Kikuyu radio
stations in a week, Whispers was getting vibrant airplay. “Radio
producers only load quality music in their databases,” said Mary.
She adds contrary to the view that getting your song on radio is
hard, and radio producers aloof, if the song is good it’s played.
She also advises new artistes to be patient “You can’t take a
song to radio today and expect it on air tomorrow, don’t hurry the
producers,” said Mary. Friends have also helped as they request her
songs regularly from radio presenters.
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Inspiration for her songs comes in many
ways. Taking a walk can lead her to humming a tune randomly from
nowhere. When it happens, she records it on her phone. She also
listens to people in discussions or reads newspapers and if something
interests her she composes. The mournful son <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bp8HjnN9q8" target="_blank">‘Nganiria Baba</a>’
came as a result of something she observed as a teacher. Her young
pupils, who mostly came from dysfunctional slum families ripped apart
by illicit brews, had tragic stories.</div>
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Some of them, especially young girls
served Changaa an illicit brew with their mothers to men, who in turn
would sexually harass them. The parents also cared less on the
wellbeing of their young daughters due to hopelessness. She recalls
a case where a mother’s lover seduced the daughter, yet her mom was
indifferent. As a result Mary wrote ‘Nganiria Baba’ a song about
a daughter begging her mother to stop the father from making sexual
advances to her. After getting the tunes, she looks for the message
that best fits the mood of the tune she has saved.
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“If the message is sorrowful, the
tune has to carry the sorrow,” said Mary. She says <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaMsLU8sOEc" target="_blank">Whispers</a> a love
song is slow and soothing to match the feel of love. In her laid
back songs, she likes to spice them with humor depending on the songs
theme. Composing is a gradual process for her and may take days to
get the stanzas, phrases and ideas to be coherent in her songs.
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Mary classifies her music as stage
music that can’t be performed by CD playback but instruments. Live
music, she says makes it possible for a musician, to put cheeky
embellishments in the song, when performing in clubs to match the
celebratory mood and engage revelers. It also helps a musician to be
flexible depending on the region. “If in Mombasa I may spice my
music with some Taarab,” she says. For live performances, she goes
with 3 guitarists, drummer and one vocal back up. She charges, from
Sh35, 000 to Sh50, 000 depending on the event.
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Though content with her start in music,
she says marketing herself as a performer and music is not easy. “I
have to be aggressive in looking for club gigs,” she says. Money is
also a factor in promotion, distribution and reproducing more CDs
which are slow moving. So far, she has sold 500 CDs and VCDs hence
preferring club gigs to CD sales. Societal perception is also
negative to ladies like her in secular music. In clubs, when
attempting to sell her CDs men are reluctant to buy, as when they
take it home wives are suspicious of interactions with female secular
musician.
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“For us it’s a job I use to pass
messages, there is no malice,” Mary says. Still when starting out,
Mary tried to compose gospel songs which she admits was challenging
compared to secular. “Gospel music is a calling I lacked words and
inspiration,” she said. To date she has performed in over 10
venues, the most memorable being in Red Nova along Kiambu Road. Of
the 10 reputable artists invited, fans kept asking for her to go back
on stage. She attributes such good performances to being backed by
skilled instrumentalists. So thrilling was it, she landed an invite
to Meru County.
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“I hope to get more of such invites
even outside Kenya,” Mary said. She urges her fans in the Diaspora
to invite her to perform and they won’t be disappointed and God
will bless them for the support. She also thanks local fans for
requesting her songs on radio.
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Her family is very supportive of her
career and she hopes in future to fully concentrate in it without
having to hold another job. She finds juggling the two careers hard,
since she requires time to be creative, practice, study and polish
her musical ideas for her second album. To be a better and unique
musician Mary, studies songwriting crafts of other established
musicians like Ndemethiu to learn the skills to their success.
“Don’t just write music study, research, listen and learn,”
said Mary.
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Besides the fans, she is grateful to
Njogu Ini Hotel Management who assisted her financially and allowed
her to shoot videos in their premises. She aims in 5 years to
support and produce budding artistes in her studio. She urges
established musicians to nurture upcoming ones and not rip them of
their hard earned cash by sending them, to sub-standard studios to
pocket extra cash. “I’ve heard of such cases It destroys their
morale and sadly sets them back far,” Mary the mother of two said.
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Kikuyu Musicians Media Rights</div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824501 36.827329299999974-1.2903875999999999 36.817244299999977 -1.2745126 36.837414299999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-73572362332510645342013-04-16T03:55:00.001-07:002013-05-29T04:28:07.192-07:00Jacksam Kibandi: Arume hatuwezeki hit-maker, twenty album musical journey <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWlDGwKxVRrNZ1Y1sQq-rjWTaNDCUKP2D1uCynpCx8xA5NZosKqg9wVK79RYbzwDfGciHVgbVyYEQHWtv18VVX_hEls-NAxwJgBPG82FaAl6767t1lWRJ5sGNsET68xk7Ze7tEGqZ4RbE/s1600/SAM_2936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWlDGwKxVRrNZ1Y1sQq-rjWTaNDCUKP2D1uCynpCx8xA5NZosKqg9wVK79RYbzwDfGciHVgbVyYEQHWtv18VVX_hEls-NAxwJgBPG82FaAl6767t1lWRJ5sGNsET68xk7Ze7tEGqZ4RbE/s200/SAM_2936.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Best known
for the hit song ‘<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHHmj5OJh-4" target="_blank">Arume Hatuwezeki</a>’ driven by an opening killer riff, Jacksam
Kibandi is one of Kikuyu Music’s most unique and gifted composers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His songs, ooze with advice targeted at his
listeners and delivered in forms of stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His songs put the audience in the shoes of the protagonists and antagonists
in the song, to better convey the message.</div>
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Growing up
as a young boy in Wanjohi village in Kipipiri Nyandarua, Kibandi had an
inherent love of 70s, 80s and early 90s Kikuyu music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In those eras DK Kamau, John Ndichu, were Kibandi’s
musical role models. He also loved to play the harmonica. But it’s in 2002
Kibandi recorded his first album ‘wahenirio na thuiti’ having worked as a sign
writer for a transport company for over 10 years. </div>
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Unlike many
novice musicians starting out their music careers in the murky River Road
Nairobi, Kibandi was guided by the one Mark Kamande wa Kioi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After listening to Kibandi’s songs Kamande
showed him the right studio to record his music and recommended instrumentalists
to play in the record. To Kibandi, this was critical as he has witnessed new
musicians get duped by low end producers and end up releasing a sub standard album.
“If you lack a guide album quality can be compromised,” he said.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBWoOUJWa4aJuCG9zYI7qpYrrarYv9_K5Q_V5PF1zWrCZ085B1ozRsw39_nLRSn10cMHmyYwlIl8q554HREVBJUPsOn98t8RDlgJRiIl_u3fVU__vgxvvdBO7AceU5xnA7lRCwuh6blDF/s1600/SAM_2940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBWoOUJWa4aJuCG9zYI7qpYrrarYv9_K5Q_V5PF1zWrCZ085B1ozRsw39_nLRSn10cMHmyYwlIl8q554HREVBJUPsOn98t8RDlgJRiIl_u3fVU__vgxvvdBO7AceU5xnA7lRCwuh6blDF/s200/SAM_2940.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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The song
that however brought Kibandi some recognition within Kikuyu music scene was released
in 2003 title ‘Nyumba cia town single 10 by 10.’ The song chronicles how people
live in urban areas crammed in small single rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However ‘<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHHmj5OJh-4" target="_blank">Arume Hatuwezeki’</a> song brought
Kibandi to mainstream Kikuyu audience in album 13 released in 2010. The song’s
video features the late Olympic marathon runner Samuel Kamau Wanjiru dancing alongside
Kibandi. The song has veiled references to the late Kamau Wanjiru rising from
abject poverty to winning a coveted Olympic medal. </div>
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Inspiration
for the song came after Kibandi compared current generation of men to those of
yester years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kibandi observed current generation
of men is spineless and not persevering when facing problems like former generations.
“I see young men with potential drink and black out on trenches and it saddens
me,” observed Kibandi. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He added real men
stand up to challenges and faces them soberly which positions them to lead a
home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tunes in his song come from emotions
the songs message brings out when Kibandi composes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However like many of his contemporaries songs
come out of the blues sometimes especially when he is psyched up in a quiet
environment. </div>
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“I like my
songs to be unique but simple to the audience,” said Kibandi. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From what he composes he works with
instrumentalists to play the song in the most fitting way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Composing for him is a process he took 2 weeks
on Arume Hatuwezeki after going through several drafts and perfecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A song is like a sculpture, I revise it
until there is nothing more to add then I book the studio,” he said. He uses
his acoustic guitar to aid in compositions. </div>
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“It’s good
for musicians to learn instruments,” he added. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Studying is also key for him as he composes
and sees it important for a serious musician to have a library at home in order
to improve his songwriting. Kibandi says his music is for live performances as
even productions are done with live instruments. “Our fans want to hear a band
playing like it sounds on CDs,” said Kibandi. </div>
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He has performed
in venues like Blue Springs and Turacco Village along Thika road and Visa Place
Rongai which he rates as a stand out gig he still remembers as it was packed
and the fans energized. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During festive
periods, Kibandi performs every weekend and during weekdays he runs his clothes
business at Gikomba. He has also for the last seven years been the Chairman of
the 200 member United Artists Welfare Group (UAWG) comprising of Kikuyu and
Kamba musicians. </div>
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He has mentored
artistes like Kuruga wa Wanjiku, Mukuria wa Njeri, Jeremy Kinyozi, Franco wa
Subu and others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His guidance has been
on an artiste perfecting his songwriting skills. UAWG works to nurture new Kikuyu
musicians and guide them to avoid them getting into pitfalls that plague new
artistes in River Road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Musicians in the
group guide the budding ones on issues like song arrangements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Kibandi working with new artistes
enriches even a veteran artiste as well. “If you ignore a new artiste, GOD may
uplift him higher than you, and you may need him then,” he said. </div>
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Reflecting on his career Kibandi admits were it not for
piracy, music can be financially rewarding. “If I sell one album 99 are being
pirated,” he added.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless he has of
all his twenty albums sold over 100,000 copies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His latest album is “Mwongoyo” currently a hit in all Kikuyu radio
stations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laments how mentally taxing
it is to compose only for someone to pirate. “No wonder musicians live long,”
he adds with a chuckle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to him
if a banana thief can be prosecuted why can’t a music pirate. </div>
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Nevertheless he urges Diaspora fans to invite them to perform
overseas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We are open to performing if
we get the chance,” said Kibandi. “It will grow the Kenyan economy and uplift
our lives,” he said. As to how he has managed to be so prolific since venturing
to music in 2002. Kibandi says he had written some albums in the early 90s but
due to financial strains had to wait up to 2002 to produce them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scarcity of good producers also slowed him as
well as these days musicians are the ones who market their music unlike in yester
years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“New album promotion and
marketing is a challenge,” he said. </div>
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The married father of three is of the view that the current
music scene needs someone to scout all the studios looking for new albums to be
played on the mainstream media. His aim is to emulate the veteran Kikuyu
musician Wanganangu who released his first album in 1940s yet some of his
albums have individually sold over 100,000 copies and his songs remain timeless
classics in Kikuyu music scene.<br />
<br />
To Book Jacksam Call Him on +254 722 516 673 </div>
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Kikuyu Musicians Publications</div>
kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-20753628978261258972013-04-13T08:56:00.003-07:002013-05-29T04:50:59.754-07:00Kuruga wa Wanjiku: On musical stardom inspired by his daughter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyeaJ_K5QjWEtm6FFAmbfxpZVKNPoU3BqaHLnquOMjA-ZIIACa2F64T8eKmgg2Y9Gjjb85hmwTXBtPQYvhwpVs1t3ZFK4uV-VaqpTGjWsYxdvm_4DSOhUkGpNc0fBF8olzmlRfkVhJ0q-/s1600/SAM_2946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyeaJ_K5QjWEtm6FFAmbfxpZVKNPoU3BqaHLnquOMjA-ZIIACa2F64T8eKmgg2Y9Gjjb85hmwTXBtPQYvhwpVs1t3ZFK4uV-VaqpTGjWsYxdvm_4DSOhUkGpNc0fBF8olzmlRfkVhJ0q-/s200/SAM_2946.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Within Kikuyu music scene, Kuruga wa
Wanjiku achieved cult status in 2011 after releasing ‘<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbFabmrfCjg" target="_blank">Niwanjiariire Kana</a>’ (you bore me a child) song. The song got massive airplay on
Kikuyu radio stations like Inooro, Coro and Kameme FM. In the rhythm
riff driven song, Kuruga, praises his wife for bearing him a daughter
named after his mother. The message resonated with many young parents
and nursing mothers.
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Early Starts</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From a young age, Kuruga today 34
years, had musical passion growing up in Gaturi location in Kiharu,
Muranga County. He recalls composing songs in Class 3, inspired by
songs by Kikuyu music veterans like John Ndichu and DK wa Maria.
Since at their home they had no radio, in evenings he went to
neighbors homes to listen to 8PM Kikuyu radio Program that ran on KBC
radio and played Kikuyu music.
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However Kuruga’s musical awakening
came after listening to the late Sam Kinuthia. “I used to hear him
sing and go crazy,” he recalls. He considers Kinuthia a musical
role model who spurred him to desire to venture to music fulltime.
After initiation to adulthood, Kuruga composed a song “kuri na
ugwati” for a fight AIDS campaign. The song won a competition
organized for churches within his Gaturi location.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMj40jh4jQgL8yYQPZQlvric-2rSA_LkeOXUH3ZafcU9MGb2qrYEXIEpd8GKjAvHg928hB_qnCt3HkFGpg3K08ZqnP6qsCN9cVQhSy9HbIhca-ZyLLQER9nLtRK6Mb6CRcoMJ324pD_Dg/s1600/SAM_2945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMj40jh4jQgL8yYQPZQlvric-2rSA_LkeOXUH3ZafcU9MGb2qrYEXIEpd8GKjAvHg928hB_qnCt3HkFGpg3K08ZqnP6qsCN9cVQhSy9HbIhca-ZyLLQER9nLtRK6Mb6CRcoMJ324pD_Dg/s200/SAM_2945.JPG" width="200" /></a>His raw talent didn’t go unnoticed.
The late George wa Njaro who knew Kuruga from childhood, took him
from the village in 2002 to Nairobi to be his backup singer. Kuruga
did backup vocals for Wa Njaro’s 2002 monster hit Address. He also
accompanied George Wa Njaro to entertainment joints. In that time he
became aware of a studio to record his music and the instrumentalists
to play on his album.
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For Kuruga, these connections proved
vital when he recorded his first album in 2004 dubbed ‘Ngima Kuru.’
George wa Njaro mentored him in recording process though his debut
attempt didn’t hit. In between 2004 to 2011 when Kuruga released
‘Niwanjiariire Kana’ he recorded songs that still didn’t hit
for ‘Kirimu kia Wendo’ and ‘Mugunda wa ikeno’ albums that
never got released.</div>
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<b>Composition Process</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Inspiration for ‘Niwanjiariire Kana’
came when living at a one roomed house in Dandora. He stepped out to
hold his young daughter as his wife washed dishes at a communal sink.
The daughter was fussy never wanting to let his mother go and always
crying. Instantly that struck Kuruga and he was filled with
admiration for his wife and the important of mothers. In less than 15
minutes he had the tune and message for the song and composition was
complete. “I can’t really explain it,” said Kuruga beaming.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Still there are songs that take days to
compose. His latest hit ‘Mahua’ (flowers) receiving wide airplay
on Kikuyu radio stations followed a similar trajectory. However
according to Kuruga, Mahua song is a real life experience he faced.
The song, is about a lady called Anne, he had asked on a date but
never showed up even after he had bought her flowers and ordered
chicken at a hotel. Kuruga booked the studio to record it even
before he composed the song. To aid in composing Kuruga plays the
guitar and views it vital for musicians to learn to play instruments.
That helps him guide and correct other Kikuyu Kenyan Guitarists
playing on his studio session.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Challenges in the journey and advice</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In his musical journey Kuruga cites
marketing and piracy as the greatest challenges he and his River Road
peers face. Kuruga recalls as a new musician, after releasing his
CDs and taking some to established shopping outlets some owners
squandered his money after selling his records. “You end up
becoming enemies,” said Kuruga. Piracy has also hit him hard, he
estimates ‘Niwanjiariire Kana’ album has sold less than 2000
copies since release in 2011. He points to institutions established
to collect royalties as swindlers as they get peanuts. Nonetheless
he still intends to release his 4<sup>th</sup> album early May 2013.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I have prayed to GOD to bless my
singing,” he said. His advice to budding Kikuyu musicians is to not
enter the industry with money first mindset. “Take time to learn
and create solid friendships first,” he said. Through that a
budding musician learns from veterans how to navigate the Kikuyu
Music industry, and not get conned. Regardless of challenges Kuruga
intends to be in music for life even as he aims to get into
commercial agriculture soon, since it won’t interfere with him,
making music.
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Besides music Kuruga wa Wanjiku does
graphic design at his office, along Sheikh Karume Road Nairobi on
weekdays. Barring January and February other months of the year he
performs almost every weekend. “CD sales can’t sustain me,” he
said. He charges Sh60, 000 to Sh70, 000 to perform when invited
depending on the venue requirements. He performs live only using
playback when in corporate road shows where playing live is
impractical. He also owns JohnMaks Music studios.
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Over time he has mentored young
musicians, encouraging them not to quit when facing challenges. “You
can do 5 albums and fail but who knows number 6 might be the one,
that hits and uplifts your past stagnant records,” Kuruga said. He
is also part of United Artists Welfare Group aimed at supporting
current and budding Kikuyu musicians in River Road Nairobi.
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Call to Diaspora Fans </b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He urges fans of Kikuyu Music outside
Kenya to invite them to perform to support Kikuyu Music industry. So
far his most memorable performance was at Turraco Village Juja along
Thika Road, where he remembers revelers were ecstatic. “I sing
songs people know for 1 to 2 hours,” said Kuruga. In the next 5
years he aims to buy land and build a huge studio facility, music
college and with boarding facilities and hotel.<br />
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His assessment of the current music
scene is that it lacks the 70s and 80s musical perfection as the
musician carries all the burdens from funding, rehearsals, marketing
of the album. As such there are lots of compromises that affect the
final product.
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To contact Kuruga wa Wanjiku write to <a href="mailto:kikuyumusicians@gmail.com">jonmaks79@yahoo.com or call +254 725 976 511</a>
</div>
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Published by Kikuyu Musicians</div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824501 36.827329299999974-1.2903875999999999 36.817244299999977 -1.2745126 36.837414299999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-72263854420102734742013-03-12T04:33:00.000-07:002013-06-07T16:04:27.842-07:00Njuguna Gicheha: Fanning the flame of Kikuyu Gospel Music<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNY-jh8BNrjZangvjP4LPHMuvsujmHHAYQ_1XJ1dq-u7ocyoMSBN5zyQKThfp-KCBzOvMOz1c9_VdBtK9emlLuvOsH0DWRaWODcQloU-xhnaC5jGcwdiAqyaM2XNgtTdyMFmYJ2TcWkWR/s1600/425768_362650370435062_258408028_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNY-jh8BNrjZangvjP4LPHMuvsujmHHAYQ_1XJ1dq-u7ocyoMSBN5zyQKThfp-KCBzOvMOz1c9_VdBtK9emlLuvOsH0DWRaWODcQloU-xhnaC5jGcwdiAqyaM2XNgtTdyMFmYJ2TcWkWR/s200/425768_362650370435062_258408028_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Man Gicheha</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<style type="text/css">
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</style> <span style="font-size: small;">In Kikuyu radio stations’
playlists ‘hurutira mwaki wa roho’ and ‘moko makwa’ rank
among the most requested <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/05/nd-githuka-ahiurania-hit-maker-shares.html" target="_blank">Kikuyu gospel </a>songs. Yet the towering man behind these
powerful, encouraging groovy songs, John Njuguna Gicheha admits
musically, he hasn’t yet scratched the surface in spite of having
recorded 8 albums to date. </span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Early Musical Starts</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From a young age, growing
up in Gatukuyu, Gatundu North, Thika County Gicheha desired to sing
and music was inherent in him. “I’d listen to a song on radio
and sing it again,” he said then, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
(KBC) had the only radio station. He carried on his musical pursuits
to high school where he learned to play the guitar. After high
school, he joined Kenya Polytechnic to study Graphic Arts and Print
Management course which he admits parents selected it for him. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">While in college in 1998,
Gicheha desired to record music, and the opportunity came through a
former classmate who introduced him to a producer he worked for.
After he sang the producer sensed his talent and signed him without
charges. The arrangement was, after the album was released, they
would share the proceeds. Looking back, Gicheha admits the contract
exploited him financially. Nevertheless, he released his first album
called “Ngoma aroiga mehia metwo maendeleo.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The debut album gave him a
name in Kikuyu music scene but little money to show for it. “I was naive to the workings of music production,” Gicheha said. In KBC’s
Kikuyu Program segments, its songs were played and he got invited to
sing on KBC TV’s Joy Bringers Program. The experience he had with
the producer made him opt to produce his next album in 2002. In the
nearly 4 year away from recording he joined a gospel band which
matured his voice and musical abilities. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Musical Inspirations</b></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgge1nyOlYr0Ocg8HNsbkDmkYj3Rer8L9ANQK6v3OwW7dGCzU7uSXP6hOaU_eImfKGz2RsRUm_EZhBiiO4kizdAAjlfNLAtUzMzy3S2mOkgv69yVdzDQHbLv6e5W7H3VCiSkV-j4b4yl-eH/s1600/562161_434024913297607_739740791_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgge1nyOlYr0Ocg8HNsbkDmkYj3Rer8L9ANQK6v3OwW7dGCzU7uSXP6hOaU_eImfKGz2RsRUm_EZhBiiO4kizdAAjlfNLAtUzMzy3S2mOkgv69yVdzDQHbLv6e5W7H3VCiSkV-j4b4yl-eH/s200/562161_434024913297607_739740791_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Musician</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As a born again Christian,
his music ideas are inspired by GOD’s power, preaching and His
Biblical Word. He is also careful what he listens to. “If you
listen to garbage your output will be it,” said Gicheha. He also
believes a musician ought to live and believe what he sings. He
cites the song ‘Hurutira mwaki wa roho’ (fan your spiritual
flame) whose inspiration came after observing how when cooking
‘Githeri’ (maize and beans), one fans the fire until it’s
cooked. The album’s message resonated with many listeners and has
sold almost 20,000 copies to date. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He composed it from a
spiritual perspective. “Whatever vision you have in life you got
to fan it until it comes to pass,” observes Gicheha. He uses his
guitar to compose melodies but some come randomly to his mind. “I
could be walking and a melody comes,” he said. In such instances he
records it with his phone. He also listens to diverse African music
genres from regions like Congo, West Africa, South Africa and Western
Music. Still he considers African music as very rich. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Gicheha musical influences
have been Joseph Kamaru, Wahome wa Maingi, Gregory Isaacs, Lucky Dube
and others. From these tastes, it inspires tunes in line with his
musical vision. Over a time period he crafts the tune, chorus and
stanzas by meditating, singing but not writing them down. When
satisfied he records. “I prefer a random process of composing its
fresh,” said Gicheha. </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/IG6VP2GokN0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Take on Music Piracy</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In his years in <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/02/daddy-wa-power-hit-maker-speaks-out.html" target="_blank">Kikuyu Gospel Music</a>, money has never been the motivator considering piracy is
endemic today. He cautions budding gospel musicians not to venture
the industry with a business mindset or they risk disappointment.
“It’s a ministry and sometimes your investment, may not
correspond with your output and you can give up,” said Gicheha. He
says relying on GOD’s faithfulness is the key to longevity in
gospel music, knowing in due time you will be compensated by Him. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Consequently, piracy
doesn’t keep him awake at night if anything, he sees it as a
blessing in disguise as his music reaches more grassroots folks. To
Gicheha, music pirates are thieves God will punish but prays for
grace to continue in gospel music, regardless. “They can’t stop
me from attaining my vision which I’m drawing near to,” he said.
His vision is to sing his Kikuyu gospel music internationally and
believes music regardless of dialect is a universal language. “I
will spread the gospel through my music to encourage many diverse
races of people,” he said. </span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/qcWSKKooBPo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As a largely self taught
<a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/03/musaimo-wa-njeri-kikuyu-music-legend.html" target="_blank">guitarist</a>, he sings live or via playback depending on resources where
he is invited to perform. Nevertheless, he loves live performances
due to their authenticity. In all his recordings, he plays the guitar
riffs in them. The person who taught Gicheha to play guitar was in a
hurry and drew the C Chord on a paper. From that, Gicheha learned by
practicing for two hours daily. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acting Career and
Challenges</b></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZ24Zc5-7hzBGLwDvBF5fkW8vaLkcGQxCrdPlQyzicL5FjUYPtKAgTH-OvM8q_MOfXiEO9z0HeAda8xwdos0vyuljsKCG6WAxnkkitjnVGwP-v9n7Nds1qW7aqTt94NZKEqB02KOradGY/s1600/20558_101518456548256_3068970_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZ24Zc5-7hzBGLwDvBF5fkW8vaLkcGQxCrdPlQyzicL5FjUYPtKAgTH-OvM8q_MOfXiEO9z0HeAda8xwdos0vyuljsKCG6WAxnkkitjnVGwP-v9n7Nds1qW7aqTt94NZKEqB02KOradGY/s200/20558_101518456548256_3068970_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emcee and Musician</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Since class 6 Gicheha has
acted. He appears in Kameme FM’s popular radio play ‘Micii ni
Ndogo’ as the eccentric Nyari, Citizen TV’s Machachari and KBC’s
soap opera Rosa. He also Emcees events and every weekend he is
booked. “Some I turn down,” he said. He urges Diaspora fans to
invite him for shows to support Kikuyu music industry. “So when we
come back we have money to record more,” He said. “Our language
one of the greatest in Africa,” added Gicheha. </span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In Kenya, Gicheha’s two
most defining shows have been at Harrison Nganga’s CFF Church and
ACK Gachie Church where he performed with fellow musician Kamau
Karongo. Per invite he makes from Sh10, 000 to Sh60, 000 and admits
music pays his bills and lives comfortably. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Other challenges Gicheha
has faced in his music career have been getting his videos to play on
Kenyan TV stations. “But people love my music and I thank God,”
he said. He also guides budding musicians by directing them to the
best studios for recording and assisting them in the process. You can reach him on his email </span>johnnjuguna.gicheha@yahoo.com or call him on +254 721 340 901</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Kikuyu Musicians Media Copyright</span><br />
</div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-86997692490699769932013-03-07T08:02:00.000-08:002013-03-12T08:51:09.937-07:00Musaimo wa Njeri: Kikuyu music legend still rocking on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interview @ Mbiri Super Studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<![endif]-->Since he hit
musical fame in 1983 with ‘my dear kwaheri’ Simon Kihara popularly known as
Musaimo wa Njeri has recorded almost 200 songs and forever etched his status as
a Kikuyu Music legend. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, were it not
for troubles he faced early in life he would have ended up an architect as he
wished. <br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Early Starts</b></div>
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From a young
age growing up in Kangema Muranga, Musaimo was drawn to music and loved
listening to songs by Baraka Mwinshehe of Tanzania, Dr Nicol of Congo and
fellow Kikuyu Musician DK Kamau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
desired to sing like them,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
a youth in 1979 he campaigned politically for the late minister John Michuki
who gave him Sh5000. By then due to lack of fees after high school he became a
casual labourer and stone mason like his Dad. Every cent he earned he saved.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Still
Musaimo composed songs as a hobby with Mwalimu wa Gatanga a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first song they recorded was on ugly
looks ‘Njungi ya Kiruka’ in 1981 with their savings but unfortunately it didn’t
hit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued composing and among
those songs, was ‘My dear Kwaheri’ which when he wrote he didn’t think much of
it. He sang it casually at his house in Dandora. Friends who eavesdropped on him
singing it convinced producer Waweru wa Maingi late brother to Wahome wa Maingi
another Kikuyu Musician to produce Musaimo . As he remembers, finding producers
even then wasn’t easy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breakthrough</b></div>
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“It was an
instant hit,” Musaimo recalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song’s
success gave him access to kikuyu musical giants like Kamaru from whom he
learned the band organisation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He owed
the song’s fame to musical experience he got studying at St Theresa School in
Eastleigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under tutelage of Father
Arnold Grol the school had all musical instruments and Musaimo taught himself
to play the guitar. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After mastering it,
he bought his own for Sh40. This irked his dad as guitars in the 1970s were
associated with rebellion. Still the guitar enhanced his musicianship by using
it to compose. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6LHlnDaXdTYKPgIg4mplzEGj4B19xUHMM0Hbx5o0BU83IgKI1PYc_SXplyCq9hfYu-8ghwz9qpAnbRCCnqA1ggWhqvMX9J1rlMv-DUIFKX8whcYScjq3qm98T5WNVmiQrLWo5vJMa2mD/s1600/SAM_2902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6LHlnDaXdTYKPgIg4mplzEGj4B19xUHMM0Hbx5o0BU83IgKI1PYc_SXplyCq9hfYu-8ghwz9qpAnbRCCnqA1ggWhqvMX9J1rlMv-DUIFKX8whcYScjq3qm98T5WNVmiQrLWo5vJMa2mD/s200/SAM_2902.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon Kihara aka Musaimo wa Njeri</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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In early
1980s, he formed Mbiri Young Stars band with backup musicians like Kimani
Thomas and Joseph Wamumbe from Gatanga famed for producing many Kikuyu musicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When ‘my dear kwaheri’ song hit they loved to
be associated with the band. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song is
about a lover’s letter to his girlfriend after leaving her to work abroad makes
Musaimo view his composing style as prophetic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>18 years after the song release Musaimo performed in the UK
for the first time. While there he
narrated that anecdote to his audience who were amused by it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Composition Style</b></div>
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For him a song's melody comes first, then adds a message and records it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>For a song to be timeless
Musaimo says the message and original melodies are key. He cites his hit song ‘chai wa 14’
as an example. Since he recorded it in 1990, it’s still requested in his shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> H</span>is songs themes revolve
around lost love, life’s troubles or people. “Songs today lack longevity,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QmXooBcRibQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
</div>
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He observes
troubles musicians experience makes for deeper messages in songs especially
those like him who came from humble backgrounds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There is no pretense,” he said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Musaimo also observes playing instruments
among musicians today is a dead art. When recording, he plays lead, rhythm and
bass guitars. This he adds aids to his composing. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Western Influences</b></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like his Western Country music contemporaries
like Alan Jackson and Don Williams, Musaimo loves when his songs are
accompanied by guitars. His latest songs ‘Chugio ni maisha’ has country music flavor
to it while a 1990s monster hit ‘Mwigerekanio’ has a heavy rhythmic bass guitar
lead. He composes a song in a day or two then works to improve it in weeks
following. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His 1994 award winning hit
album Combination took six months to finish. Technology has made his work
easier than as he uses electronic drums in studio, saving the manual ones for
live stage performances.<br />
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Though he
runs Mbiri music shop Musaimo admits today its shows that sustain him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Per show in Kenya he charges around 30,000 and
in a month he may have 5 to 6 shows especially in festive periods. “The more
your hits the more the invites,” he said. He also gets international invites in
UK, US, Canada and Australia attended by over 500 people charged at $25 per
head by promoters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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When on
those shows he plays ‘mugithi’ hits in addition to his own music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It leaves them so nostalgic about home,”
Musaimo said. Overseas he carries his Ovation guitar and programmed drums as
carrying instrumentalists would be expensive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He values to play his music live than with CD accompaniment
to retain some of its core authenticity. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Piracy</b></div>
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Though most
of his classic songs are famous he admits piracy has hit hard compared to when
he started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the era of gramophones he
sold 30,000 ‘my dear kwaheri’ albums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However with advent of easy to copy media like CDs and cassettes, album
sales have dipped. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You sing a hit and
end up with nothing,” he observes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
estimates from his almost 20 albums without piracy he may have sold even half a
million copies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also notes only
paltry royalties are paid to them by Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK),
even after all the airplay his songs receive on the media. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Music Pays</b></div>
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Nevertheless,
he is grateful music has enabled him make a living to educate his children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His daughter named after his mother Njeri scored
straight A’s in her 2012 high school final exam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everything I own is from music,” said
Musaimo sentimentally. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Musaimo, advices
budding musicians to learn composition and write music that gives advice not
corrupts or is shameful. “Know your audience and dancers in your songs shouldn’t
dress provocatively,” he said. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strumming a tune on his Ovation Guitar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mentorship</b></div>
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In over 30
years in Kikuyu Music, Musaimo has mentored and first produced now famed musicians
like Hezeh Ndungu, Joseph Kariuki wa Kiarutara and Warukemi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He urges Diaspora fans to buy original Kenyan
not pirated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among Kikuyu Musicians he
is the first to have his music in SoundCloud and Apple’s Itunes platform and
admits he earns from it. “I’m much updated on latest music technology,” he
said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His band has a website <a href="http://www.mbirisupersound.com/">www.mbirisupersounds.com</a> and also
shoots his music videos through his own Interco Studios. To produce an album he charges Sh30, 000 and
to shoot music videos it’s Sh40, 000. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Awards</b></div>
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His musical
efforts for this Kikuyu Kenyan guitarist have won him awards from MCSK for his
Combination album and Kisima awards in 2005. He aims to enlarge his production
capacity and start a media school to train students interested in music and
media production. Musaimo can be contacted on his email <a href="mailto:mbirisupersounds@yahoo.com">mbirisupersounds@yahoo.com</a> . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His studio is in Sheikh Karume road in River
Road, Nairobi.<br />
<br />
Karuga Media Copyrights </div>
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kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824501 36.827329299999974-1.2903875999999999 36.817244299999977 -1.2745126 36.837414299999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-79912224977788816042013-03-02T02:25:00.000-08:002013-03-02T04:35:50.003-08:00The journey of ‘Matiribu’ Hit Maker- Mirugi Dishon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B4wJjSth4iN4VMK_v6cpHlCMDGFRqsGX0yTYZkQNCbBQLPXGvcVQrn0TnAP2XjwZoBz6pRMGrijokReAN2Wd17lkSQM5YvaVpwW0VWJnJLRuf6epW_y5AaBNyNoXANd_x4mPXkYP4e3G/s1600/SAM_2893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B4wJjSth4iN4VMK_v6cpHlCMDGFRqsGX0yTYZkQNCbBQLPXGvcVQrn0TnAP2XjwZoBz6pRMGrijokReAN2Wd17lkSQM5YvaVpwW0VWJnJLRuf6epW_y5AaBNyNoXANd_x4mPXkYP4e3G/s320/SAM_2893.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirugi in action @Pawa Studios</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For Mirugi Dishon, popularly known within Kikuyu Music Scene
for his gospel hits ‘Matiribu’ and ‘Kuguru Kugondoku’ his start in music in
2003 was accidental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had hoped his
athletic ability in sports like volleyball and football would lead him to a
career in the Kenya army. As fate would have it, it never happened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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His desire to come to Nairobi was borne out of hardships he
faced in his Ngano home village, Nyahururu where he was a casual labourer in
people’s farms after high school. In Dandora Nairobi, he started a small shop
with earnings he had saved in the village. From a capital of Sh18, 000 it grew
to a stock of Sh80, 000, life as a young businessman for Mirugi looked
promising even his peers complemented him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The growth of that budding business stalled when the
landlord asked him to vacate since he wanted to start a butchery business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Mirugi’s shop was next to a bar, the
landlord figured he could make money selling roast meat to bar patrons if Mirugi
moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vacate he did, though the
landlord was begged by customers not to kick him, out he remained adamant. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where he moved his shop there was no
electricity, and customers were hard to come by. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Faced with dull business future Mirugi knew if nothing
changed, he would have to go back to the village to work as farmhand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That terrified him to the core, to avoid it
he sold all his stock uncertain of what to do next. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends urged him to do driving but saw no
financial security in it. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 82.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Musical Start<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b></div>
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Incidentally, while he had the shop, as a hobby he composed
songs but never took it seriously though it came natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two of his former customers, Muhiko and
Ezekiel Njagi of ‘Uhinga ni Design’ song were prominent Kikuyu musicians in
River Road Nairobi. He turned to them with the songs he had, sensing his raw
talent they encouraged and connected him to Wanjohi wa Keyboard a producer.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I had faced lots of troubles by then and the prospect of
hawking music didn’t faze me,” said Mirugi as long as it got him his daily
bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2004 he sang he released his
first CD ‘Ninguria Kanyamu’ (I’ll eat something).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What amused him was his gift of song writing
never got exhausted he wrote more songs and began to see music as a career. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He aggressively hawked the CD as far as
Isiolo, Nakuru and Mombasa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he lacked
money for a portable CD player, he sung to prospective customers what was in
the CDs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For his efforts He sold 15,000
copies. Every little money, he earned he recorded. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breakthrough</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sometimes customers pitied me and bought and encouraged me,”
said Mirugi. The album didn’t receive any media airplay. Being a new musician;
Mirugi never knew how to get it to Coro, Inooro and Kameme FM the three Kikuyu
Media stations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the savings he
released his second album ‘Kuguru Kugondoku’ (sprained leg) in 2007. The song,
‘Kuguru Kugondoku’ was first played at Inooro FM in 2009 after he had hawked
the album for two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That was just
GOD’s time and people loved the song,” said Mirugi. With time all the other two
stations played the song. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/msKJ8Ds4hUo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The song opened avenues for Mirugi to be invited in
churches, crusades and other events on regularly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a steady income streams he recorded his
third album Matiribu (seasons). The title song ‘Matiribu’ driven by melodious
opening rock guitar riff in vein of Slash’s Sweet Child of Mine captured
fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also a permanent fixture
every Sunday 9:30pm at Inooro FM before the counseling show by Pastor JJ
Gitahi. Other hits from ‘Matiribu’ album include ‘Hau noho’ and ‘Uria Ngwika’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently Mirugi is finalizing his fourth
album. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Influences and
Composition</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In his musical journey Mirugi’s influences are Muhiko,
Muigai wa Njoroge and Ezekiel Mwangi who helped him navigate music production. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He estimates all his albums have sold around
20,000 copies but admits piracy has hit hard. To earn he relies on shows and
laments after all the media airplay he is yet to get a cent from Music
Copyright Society of Kenya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s
impossible to live on CD sales,” said Mirugi. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one show he can earn from Sh10, 000
onwards. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwmkiSC9L3opgspOiCI_cYpZnMtRvVi2yjFnm-P4CCTFGlhM-cdiwNjzJXWw1R2RwIq1DFV8fvuh08adAhYPR08_l8fdXrODqA-HgZjiYYZWeVGx2sUBqkzsY4II2weM1v80G3diI_1ir/s1600/SAM_2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwmkiSC9L3opgspOiCI_cYpZnMtRvVi2yjFnm-P4CCTFGlhM-cdiwNjzJXWw1R2RwIq1DFV8fvuh08adAhYPR08_l8fdXrODqA-HgZjiYYZWeVGx2sUBqkzsY4II2weM1v80G3diI_1ir/s320/SAM_2891.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirugi at his Pawa Studios</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Regardless, his experiences have served as catalysts for music
compositions. His songs are inspired out of life experiences, troubles or what
he sees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“God has anointed me to write
that way,” said Mirugi he also reads the Bible and what he gets, contextualizes
it to lives of people to be encouraged. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Matiribu’ came out of his own experiences, at
the bottom line the song concludes GOD is the only one who never leaves you in
seasons of trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">To Young Musicians</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He encourages young musicians to understand their gifts are
treasures they should dedicate to GOD. “Every musician is unique only GOD can
make your message connect with people,” said Mirugi. Having performed in most
parts of Kenya, he urges his Diaspora fans to invite him to perform. “We need
them and it will give us exposure,” he said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can sing live or with CD but that depends
on how much is paid by event organizers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I spread the gospel through music,” said
Mirugi.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When not at events, his days are spent at his Pawa
Productions at Simba Centre River Road, where he has recorded over 100 songs
for other musicains. He collaborates with musicians like Jimmy CB Sir, Mary
Wangeci and Muhiko.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 27 years he is a
father of one and invites musicians to record at his studio. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To get his music email apollojkm@yahoo.com </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karuga Media Copyrights </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com0River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824501 36.827329299999974-1.2903875999999999 36.817244299999977 -1.2745126 36.837414299999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-15632840374669904872013-02-28T12:18:00.001-08:002013-06-07T15:38:45.237-07:00Daddy wa Power hit maker speaks out<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt2PYcafEt1YArHJJHKrhzPGUgXrCDF2PbxX1Lg4ynvGA_bUxErZbSzi-9Jj5RrU2TpeZuB4M9tO2sbRUBQatCq2M2QPJS_WlYqzMkG0yNzlGcTS0hUebr16xg6OcEbZr2zKbtD5kvGWG/s1600/SAM_2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt2PYcafEt1YArHJJHKrhzPGUgXrCDF2PbxX1Lg4ynvGA_bUxErZbSzi-9Jj5RrU2TpeZuB4M9tO2sbRUBQatCq2M2QPJS_WlYqzMkG0yNzlGcTS0hUebr16xg6OcEbZr2zKbtD5kvGWG/s320/SAM_2888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mention the name James Maina Karanja, and not many people
know who that is. Yet his song ‘Daddy wa Power’ since release last year 2012,
has been a mainstay of Kikuyu radio stations for the artist popularly known as Jimmy
CB Sir. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song is a fans’ favorite
across Inooro FM, Kameme FM and Coro FM the three main Kikuyu radio stations in
Kenya.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Early Starts</b></div>
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At 26 years, CB Sir is in a new breed of <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/05/nd-githuka-ahiurania-hit-maker-shares.html" target="_blank">gospel musicians </a>taking
the mantle of <a href="http://kikuyumusicians.blogspot.com/2013/03/njuguna-gicheha-fanning-flame-of-kikuyu.html" target="_blank">Kikuyu gospel music</a> and introducing an ooze of divine pop to it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For CB Sir, music was natural to him; from a
young age he sang and composed songs sung in school competitions and his church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a tenor he was the soloist in competitions
organized in his home area of Kigumo, Muranga County in Central Kenya. </div>
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CB Sir’s foray in the recording industry was made possible
by his home Sub Chief who loved the way he sang at church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sub-Chief wished his own children would
end up in music but they hated it. So he turned his attention to CB Sir, encouraged
and introduced him to the late Njoroge Muiri. Njoroge, had connections to
production houses in River Road, Nairobi.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Debut Album</b></div>
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His first album was ‘chibicha’ in 2005 where his stage name
CB Sir was coined from by fans. Contrary to his expectations, the album wasn’t a
hit and didn’t get much air play from the media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt the songs were great but looking back
three albums later, he attributes the great reception ‘Daddy wa Power’ received
to being GOD’s timing and favor. The album was fairly well received in his home
village among friends and family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
second album, ‘mutikorwo ni hinya’ (don’t lose strength) suffered a similar fate
despite his efforts to market it aggressively. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVPaGnvL8PgjszJCShsB3a190KD4OwpDndUhJakdujLAh0q38fzcbf2oiVhJ2ayC4AczNpy8g0sIJuoBWEuKwpEEl2rRilXsrxljSwFsYMUky_9SRJaN3za7URrx5Vnk_OLIQnlonf827/s1600/SAM_2886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVPaGnvL8PgjszJCShsB3a190KD4OwpDndUhJakdujLAh0q38fzcbf2oiVhJ2ayC4AczNpy8g0sIJuoBWEuKwpEEl2rRilXsrxljSwFsYMUky_9SRJaN3za7URrx5Vnk_OLIQnlonf827/s320/SAM_2886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breakthrough</b></div>
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In those “dry” times he soldiered on composing never
considering quitting believing he was created to make music. “A talent is a nag
until you accomplish it,” he said beaming. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he released “Daddy wa Power” in 2012 the
song ‘’marketed” itself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was like an
act of GOD I never spent a coin marketing it,” he said. He expected “siku yangu”
(my day) song to strike a chord with fans not “Daddy wa power.” </div>
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The positive reception to the song in the three Kikuyu media
stations awed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends when they
heard his song on radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until
he passed by a shop and heard the song on radio he stopped to listen and
believed it. “God has given me loyal fans,” he says. The song’s popularity
melted away his father’s skepticism on CB Sir being a musician. A career meteorologist
he wanted his son to study and be career scientist. “There was conflict
initially, he supports me now my songs are hits,” he said smiling.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Composition Process</b></div>
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CB Sir’s composition process as he describes is
straightforward, yet he can’t describe. “I just feel a melody and put words and
message to it,” he said smiling. On average he composes a song in 20 minutes and
over several days, he corrects and improves it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Composing for him comes from an overflow of his heart, like a preacher,
preaching his message past his time limit.<br />
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<b>Influences </b></div>
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His biggest musical influence is Henry Waweru a fellow
gospel musician from his village. Waweru has songs like “Ningiraga ngaita
maithori” (I contemplate and cry). Along the way notables like Kamande wa Kioi and
Emoro have played guitars for his songs. Njoroge wa Keyboard who produced
Muigai wa Njoroge’s Kigutha album also produced the first album for CB
Sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His drumming has also been handled
by a guy called Mwangi <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">wa </span>drumset now in
America. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b>Piracy </b></span></div>
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Still he changes his production tastes to suit what
currently is popular in music market. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though
happy with his current success, he admits piracy has crippled him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To date he estimates to have sold 20,000
albums but says could be a million but for piracy. Piracy standards have also
risen and fake CDs look real and fool even the musicians. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>“We even are confused by what’s real and fake, pirates make
most of the money,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To try and
stem piracy tide, most River Road musicians hire cars with public address systems
and hawk music around estates. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sell
a CD for Shs 100 just over a dollar. “If I rely on sales from shops I will be
impoverished by pirates,” he said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
also laments lack of government support.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Diaspora fans and performances</b></div>
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As he puts finishing touches on his new “winner” album, his
next avenue is to target Kikuyu music Diaspora fans. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though fuzzy on the starting points, he aims to
utilize internet technology, to connect and sell his music to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also urges them to invite him to perform. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though preferring to sing live, with instruments
he uses a CD and DJ due to costs of hiring instrumentalists. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When organizers demand he sing live, he charges
more as he has to pay instrumentalists, vocalists and a roadie.</div>
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CB Sir is booked the most in the festive periods, political
campaigns and when schools close. Then he can rake 12 times monthly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On handling female fans, he admits the ring on
his finger helps when they get too close for comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you are not married it can be difficult,”
said the father of two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wife also
appears in all his 3 VCDs to confirm his marital status musically and publicly.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mentorship</b></div>
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Back home in Kigumo, he mentors upcoming musicians and assist
them record. CB Sir organizes talent searches and fundraisings to sponsor new
talents to record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently he has five
musicians under his wing recording their music. He urges society to give
budding musicians chances to sing at events to up their confidence in their
ability. He encourages those striving to have their music recognized, to not
give up hope. “I was there once and you can feel low and doubt yourself,” he
said pensively.</div>
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He is ever grateful to his fans support and his home church
ACK Kariaini, who fund raised for him to go into music production. “They never
let my talent go to waste,” he said smiling. He has his own video production house dubbed Peace Films. Enjoy "Daddy wa Power" video below. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2nByLaaZAk8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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To buy his music contact him at +254 727 747006 or Kikuyumusicians@gmail.com </div>
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Karuga Media Copyrights </div>
kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com2River Road, Nairobi, Kenya-1.2824501 36.827329299999974-1.2903875999999999 36.817244299999977 -1.2745126 36.837414299999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901507311351476236.post-16073958062631070282011-01-19T10:50:00.000-08:002011-01-19T11:00:55.233-08:00Here we have the bios of all famous Kikuyu MusiciansThis Blog by Karuga Media is dedicated to all past and present Kikuyu Musicians. gospel or pop. Here we post their brief Biographies and their musical journey singing in Kikuyu. Very soon we will begin posting biographies of musicians like John Njagi, Kigutha, Gacathi wa Thuo, Peter Kigia, Albert Gacheru, Sammy Muraya Sr & Jr among others. So support us as we try and immortalize them online. We will also begin posting profiles of the guitarists behind those chords like "we niwe njata yakwa by Ndemethiu" and "Tigana na Andu" by Dennis Mutara. We will also post videos of their latest music here. So be patient as we do these profiles in the next few months. If You know any musician interested in having his profile here contact us on apollojkm@yahoo.com<br />God Bless You and join me in celebrating and immortalizing our Gikuyu and Mumbi lyrical legends.kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02842228649640430538noreply@blogger.com4