Modern Kikuyu Worship Classics Songs

Carol Wanjiru

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.

Munduiriri - This is a song by Carol Wanjiru from Uthiru. 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.

Add caption

Muhaturi – This is new song by a new artiste Freddy K. 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.

Muguthaithi – This is a song by Mercy Ken. 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.

Niwikite Magegania – This song by new artiste Sammy Irungu 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.

Kiriga – This is a song by the prolific, worshipper from Nyeri, Charles K Kingori, 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.

Hau Noho – This is a song by Mirugi Dishon of Matiribu fame. 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.

Nyitagirira – This is a wonderful song by Esther Muthoni 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.

Moko Marathime – This is a song by Njuguna Gicheha 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.

Mutharaba: 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.

Mawiko: This is a song by ND Githuka of Ahiurania 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.

Jesu niwe Hitho: 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.

Nii Nindiriirie Guguturira: This is a song by Milkah Wanjiru also of Nithengiu Ngai Wakwa fame. 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.

In case You may want to get these songs visit our Fan page on www.facebook.com/kikuyumusicians or write us on kikuyumusicians@gmail.com or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/kikuyumusicians . We will help out.

5:08 AM | 0 comments | Read More

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

 

K Media Copyrights

2:25 AM | 0 comments | Read More