Early Starts
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.
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.
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.
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.
Composition Process
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.
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.
Challenges in the journey and advice
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 4th album early May 2013.
“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.
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.
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.
Call to Diaspora Fans
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.
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.
To contact Kuruga wa Wanjiku write to jonmaks79@yahoo.com or call +254 725 976 511
Published by Kikuyu Musicians
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