ND Githuka: ‘’Ahiurania’ hit-maker shares his faith and passion for worship music

As a young boy growing up in OlKalou, Nyahururu, in late 70s and early 80s, ND Githuka, the Kenyan Kikuyu gospel giant behind hits like kahii, mawiko and the latest ahiurania 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. 

 

Early Starts

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. 

 

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. 

 

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.

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. 

 

Lull in Recording

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. 

Leap of Faith in Kahii release-2005

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. 

 

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 Kikuyu Gospel Music. 

 

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. 

 

Composing the funny 'Ahiurania'

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.

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^th at St Andrews University Way entry free.

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.

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.  

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. 

 

Stand Out Ministry Places

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. 

 

Future-Worship Teacher

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 CB Sir. 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.

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.

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.

You can contact ND Githuka on +254 720 257 550 or kikuyumusicians@gmail.com

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Daddy wa Power hit maker speaks out

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.  The song is a fans’ favorite across Inooro FM, Kameme FM and Coro FM the three main Kikuyu radio stations in Kenya.

Early Starts

At 26 years, CB Sir is in a new breed of gospel musicians taking the mantle of Kikuyu gospel music and introducing an ooze of divine pop to it.  For CB Sir, music was natural to him; from a young age he sang and composed songs sung in school competitions and his church.  As a tenor he was the soloist in competitions organized in his home area of Kigumo, Muranga County in Central Kenya.

CB Sir’s foray in the recording industry was made possible by his home Sub Chief who loved the way he sang at church.  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.
   

Debut Album

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.  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.  His second album, ‘mutikorwo ni hinya’ (don’t lose strength) suffered a similar fate despite his efforts to market it aggressively. 

Breakthrough

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.  When he released “Daddy wa Power” in 2012 the song ‘’marketed” itself.  “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.”

The positive reception to the song in the three Kikuyu media stations awed him.  Friends when they heard his song on radio.  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.

Composition Process

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.  Composing for him comes from an overflow of his heart, like a preacher, preaching his message past his time limit.

Influences

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.  His drumming has also been handled by a guy called Mwangi wa drumset now in America.  

Piracy

Still he changes his production tastes to suit what currently is popular in music market.  Though happy with his current success, he admits piracy has crippled him.  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.  “We even are confused by what’s real and fake, pirates make most of the money,” he said.  To try and stem piracy tide, most River Road musicians hire cars with public address systems and hawk music around estates.  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.  He also laments lack of government support.

Diaspora fans and performances

As he puts finishing touches on his new “winner” album, his next avenue is to target Kikuyu music Diaspora fans.  Though fuzzy on the starting points, he aims to utilize internet technology, to connect and sell his music to them.  He also urges them to invite him to perform.  Though preferring to sing live, with instruments he uses a CD and DJ due to costs of hiring instrumentalists.  When organizers demand he sing live, he charges more as he has to pay instrumentalists, vocalists and a roadie.

CB Sir is booked the most in the festive periods, political campaigns and when schools close. Then he can rake 12 times monthly.  On handling female fans, he admits the ring on his finger helps when they get too close for comfort.  “If you are not married it can be difficult,” said the father of two.  His wife also appears in all his 3 VCDs to confirm his marital status musically and publicly.

Mentorship

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.  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.

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.

To buy his music contact him at +254 727 747006 or Kikuyumusicians@gmail.com  

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