Njuguna Gicheha: Fanning the flame of Kikuyu Gospel Music

The Man Gicheha

In Kikuyu radio stations’ playlists ‘hurutira mwaki wa roho’ and ‘moko makwa’ rank among the most requested Kikuyu gospel 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.

Early Musical Starts

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.

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.”

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.

Musical Inspirations

The Musician

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.

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.

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.

Take on Music Piracy

In his years in Kikuyu Gospel Music, 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.

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.

As a largely self taught guitarist, 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.

Acting Career and Challenges

Emcee and Musician

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. 

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. 

 

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 johnnjuguna.gicheha@yahoo.com or call him on +254 721 340 901

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Musaimo wa Njeri: Kikuyu music legend still rocking on

Interview @ Mbiri Super Studio

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.  Yet, were it not for troubles he faced early in life he would have ended up an architect as he wished.

Early Starts

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.  “I desired to sing like them,” he said.  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.

Still Musaimo composed songs as a hobby with Mwalimu wa Gatanga a friend.  The first song they recorded was on ugly looks ‘Njungi ya Kiruka’ in 1981 with their savings but unfortunately it didn’t hit.  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.   

Breakthrough

“It was an instant hit,” Musaimo recalls.  The song’s success gave him access to kikuyu musical giants like Kamaru from whom he learned the band organisation.  He owed the song’s fame to musical experience he got studying at St Theresa School in Eastleigh.  Under tutelage of Father Arnold Grol the school had all musical instruments and Musaimo taught himself to play the guitar.  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.

Simon Kihara aka Musaimo wa Njeri

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.  When ‘my dear kwaheri’ song hit they loved to be associated with the band.  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. 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.

Composition Style

For him a song's melody comes first, then adds a message and records it. 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. His songs themes revolve around lost love, life’s troubles or people. “Songs today lack longevity,” he said.  

He observes troubles musicians experience makes for deeper messages in songs especially those like him who came from humble backgrounds.  “There is no pretense,” he said.  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.

Western Influences

 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.  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.

Though he runs Mbiri music shop Musaimo admits today its shows that sustain him.  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.  

When on those shows he plays ‘mugithi’ hits in addition to his own music.  “It leaves them so nostalgic about home,” Musaimo said. Overseas he carries his Ovation guitar and programmed drums as carrying instrumentalists would be expensive.  He values to play his music live than with CD accompaniment to retain some of its core authenticity.

Piracy

Though most of his classic songs are famous he admits piracy has hit hard compared to when he started.  In the era of gramophones he sold 30,000 ‘my dear kwaheri’ albums.  However with advent of easy to copy media like CDs and cassettes, album sales have dipped.  “You sing a hit and end up with nothing,” he observes.  He estimates from his almost 20 albums without piracy he may have sold even half a million copies.  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.

Music Pays

Nevertheless, he is grateful music has enabled him make a living to educate his children.  His daughter named after his mother Njeri scored straight A’s in her 2012 high school final exam.  “Everything I own is from music,” said Musaimo sentimentally.  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.

Strumming a tune on his Ovation Guitar

Mentorship

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.  He urges Diaspora fans to buy original Kenyan not pirated.  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.  His band has a website www.mbirisupersounds.com 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.

Awards

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 mbirisupersounds@yahoo.com .  His studio is in Sheikh Karume road in River Road, Nairobi.

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The journey of ‘Matiribu’ Hit Maker- Mirugi Dishon

Mirugi in action @Pawa Studios

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.  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.   

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.

The growth of that budding business stalled when the landlord asked him to vacate since he wanted to start a butchery business.  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.  Vacate he did, though the landlord was begged by customers not to kick him, out he remained adamant.  Where he moved his shop there was no electricity, and customers were hard to come by. 

Faced with dull business future Mirugi knew if nothing changed, he would have to go back to the village to work as farmhand.  That terrified him to the core, to avoid it he sold all his stock uncertain of what to do next.  Friends urged him to do driving but saw no financial security in it. 

Musical Start         

Incidentally, while he had the shop, as a hobby he composed songs but never took it seriously though it came natural.  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.

“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.  In 2004 he sang he released his first CD ‘Ninguria Kanyamu’ (I’ll eat something).  What amused him was his gift of song writing never got exhausted he wrote more songs and began to see music as a career.  He aggressively hawked the CD as far as Isiolo, Nakuru and Mombasa.  As he lacked money for a portable CD player, he sung to prospective customers what was in the CDs.  For his efforts He sold 15,000 copies. Every little money, he earned he recorded. 

Breakthrough

“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.  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.  “That was just GOD’s time and people loved the song,” said Mirugi. With time all the other two stations played the song. 

The song opened avenues for Mirugi to be invited in churches, crusades and other events on regularly.  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.  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’   Currently Mirugi is finalizing his fourth album. 

Influences and Composition

In his musical journey Mirugi’s influences are Muhiko, Muigai wa Njoroge and Ezekiel Mwangi who helped him navigate music production.  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.  “It’s impossible to live on CD sales,” said Mirugi.  In one show he can earn from Sh10, 000 onwards. 

Mirugi at his Pawa Studios

Regardless, his experiences have served as catalysts for music compositions. His songs are inspired out of life experiences, troubles or what he sees.  “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.  ‘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.   

To Young Musicians

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.  He can sing live or with CD but that depends on how much is paid by event organizers.  “I spread the gospel through music,” said Mirugi.

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.  At 27 years he is a father of one and invites musicians to record at his studio. 

To get his music email apollojkm@yahoo.com

 

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