Salim Young: On growing up in Salim musical family and future hopes

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.

Early Musical Starts

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.

Early Musical Influences and Guitar Practice

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.

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.

Producer and Session Guitar Player

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 Kuruga wa Wanjiku’s 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.

Debut Gospel Album and Performances

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.

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.

Composition Style

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.

Salim Young’s Production Philosophy

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.

Future Optimisms

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.

To The Fans

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.

To Book Salim Young reach him on labansalim@yahoo.com

Copyrights to Kikuyu Musicians November 9, 2013

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