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Martin wa Janet: On musical journey anchored in perseverance amidst turmoil


Tough beginnings in life don’t necessarily mean the ends will be painful. That rings true for one Martin wa Janet 30 years, whose journey to the pinnacle of Kikuyu Gospel Music has been rife with challenges, self doubt, mocking and faith amidst hopelessness. All that has shaped Martin to fully depend and trust in GOD, at all times regardless of the pain through seasons of life.
Early Life
Known for inspiring hits like Nituririkanitwo and Nitumwinyihire with Obedi, life for this turbaned man (mkorino) began in Kihiu Mwiri, Muranga County. He attended PK primary and secondary school up to Form 3 where personal problems forced him to drop out. Hazy about what to do in life, he left Muranga for Kiambu and was housed by Mama Jane. He joined a local akorino church Africa Mission Holy Ghost headed by Bishop Ezra Njoroge where he played drums with vigour. 

In his teenage years, Martin, spent almost 4 years jobless in Kiambu but got a job in a hotel in downtown Nairobi around 2003, where he earned Sh100 daily. The hotel job proved a challenge for his slight frame, and one day the excessive heat in the kitchen caused him to vomit. The hotel owner reprimanded him and Martin begged him to give him one more month. He became a waiter but waiting hassles proved tiring he worked less than 3 months and quit. He also lost his beloved mom that year.

Trials as Matatu Conductor
A man who had a matatu noticed Martin jobless and loitering Kiambu town and offered him a job as a conductor for Kiambu town route 100, a job he did until 2008. As a conductor he desired to sing and after work composed songs but lacked recording money. “My heart was in music,” recalls Martin. He was influenced by fellow akorino gospel musicians like Sammy Nene and Hezeh Ndungu.

As a conductor, wearing the akorino white turban he experienced lots of trials. He recalls a time while hanging on Matatu door his turban accidentally fell off, and a passenger asked him sarcastically asked him what was that, that fell off his head. Also being a born again Christian donning a turban, traffic police loathed him, as he never due to his faith gave bribes. One police got so irritated at Martin’s refusal to bribe that he pulled a turban from his head and threw it to the vehicle. “It was hurtful and being a born again conductor I encountered many problems,” recalls Martin smiling. 

Working with Dennis Mutara
As fate would have it, as a conductor he met famous gospel artiste Dennis Mutara who sold oranges near a supermarket in Kiambu in 2006 while dabbling in his budding musical career. Then in 2008 Mutara released ‘Ngai angikiuga Niukugia’ album which he distributed around Central Kenya with a public address system. Martin joined his distribution entourage and they would go to crusades and open air market to sell them. Martin with funding from Mama Jane recorded his 7 track debut album ‘Ngai niwenjire Githima’ which was played intermittently on radio. 

Still to get the master CD from recording studio took him 3 months to raise sh15, 000. He followed it up with ‘Mwarie ciugo cia Ngai’ and ‘Ngai Tutumire Mundu’ both received limited airplay and acceptance. In 2009 he recorded ‘Mwathani Tuonerie haria tugutheremera.’ 

Breakthrough to Mainstream
Through his albums he got invited to lead akorino ‘kigooco live’ praise in 2010 every Sunday 5am to 6am at Inooro FM at Muturi wa Muiru’s show Kimuri Kia Inooro. For two years He pounded the akorino drums for an hour and sing. Eventually he got invited by Evangelist Lucy wa Ngunjiri to lead praise in crusades by her Beyond Boundaries Ministries. With 6 albums to date th album Jehovah ni Muthamaki both played prominently in Kikuyu FM radio stations. 
two songs that brought him prominence are Nituririkanitwo off his latest album and a collaboration with Obedi ‘Nitumwinyihirie’ off the 4

Challenges in Music
To get the recognition he has today Martin admits it’s been hard and he questioned his musical ability and God’s will in his life in the song (Ngai Niwe Niwanduire Mwariria) album 4. He recalls going to major events and selling only two CDs and getting arrested by the city council while hawking his music on a small radio. Potential customers also made false promises to buy his music. One moment that left him shattered, was when he accompanied Mutara to Nanyuki. Martin carried 300CDs for the event and by day 3 had sold 5 only for Sh500. Broke and worse off than he came, Mutara bailed him out by paying for his accommodation and food as his CDs were selling. 

Disappointed, on the last day Martin stood on stage and announced “I want to know if it’s my music you hate or don’t have money,” he decided to sell them at half price of Sh50 to get fare. Travelling back to Kiambu from Nanyuki he felt disappointed but realized maybe GOD’s time had not come. “If GOD has to lift you up, you will be tested by fire so that you are full of revelation,” observes Martin.

Besides lack of money for recording, Martin says getting his music recognized was hard. Having realized there are hundreds of thousands of Kikuyu musicians he knew for his music to reach masses, GOD would have to intervene. “If you are unknown musician you get ignored at events but work hard on your craft and leave the rest to GOD to uplift you,” says Martin. 

First Radio Airplay
Getting airplay in Kikuyu Radio stations wasn’t easy and he savors the moment in 2008 when his song ‘Niwe wenjire Githima’ got played first time on air at Kameme FM. “I felt reborn, reinvigorated and thanked GOD for it,” said Martin. According to Martin one can spend lots of money on recording but what matters is GOD’s favor and prayers. “You can write a song it gets lots of airplay but if GOD doesn’t open the ears of listeners to love your music, it won’t be accepted or bought,” he said. 

Composing Process
When composing Martin reads the Bible for revelation and connects the message to everyday life people go through. It takes him a day or over a month to perfect one song depending on subject matter he focuses on. For the Nitumwinyihirie with Obedi he wrote the chorus, and Obedi wrote most verses, a process that took 6 months to complete the collaborated album. The tune according to Martin comes naturally as he gets the lyrics. Besides the Bible he values listening to sermons as they provide him with songwriting ideas. To produce 1 album costs him around Sh100, 000 with Video shooting included.

Advice to Budding Musicians
His advice to budding gospel artistes is to go into it if one is sure it’s the call of GOD so incase an album flops you soldier on. Otherwise an artiste driven to gospel music for money gets disappointed if his first album flops. He also advises one not to enter music because of a wave. Personally Martin has observed people who sold a cow to record because they saw a neighbor record and be successful. He observes such end selling the CD”s to family or close friends and go back to the village broke and disillusioned. Though piracy has hit him he estimates to have sold almost 100, 000 of his albums VCDs included. 

Notable Shows
Martin has sung in notable shows for Kameme FM thanksgiving at Kirigiti stadium Kiambu, Inooro FM road shows and at book launch in KICC attended by Kalonzo Musyoka. But for a visa denial he was to perform in California accompanying Evangelist Lucy Wa Ngunjiri. The father of one says the key to being lifted up by GOD is by singing from revelation to give hope to the listeners and humility before GOD.
9:46 AM | 2 comments | Read More

Kikuyu Music most underrated hit songs and sleeper hits


Ritho Ria Tha
When Kikuyu songs are released and receive airplay, there are those that are instant hits but others lag behind in popularity. For every ‘mabataro’, ‘mwigerekanio’ ‘ahiurania’ song there are three others equally good to be classified as sleeper hits. These songs are unknown largely due to the singer not being a household name like Githae, Musaimo or ND Githuka. We profile some of the songs and their writers below. Some don't have Youtube videos but can be found at Simba Centre River Road, Nairobi.

Ritho Ria Tha: This is guitar driven pop song by the relatively unknown Peter Muiruri with a dominant, vibrant rhythm riff that adds passion to the song. The song is an anthem for those dubbed in Kenya as ‘’safaras’’ or hasslers in informal sector like mkokoteni (rickshaw) pullers or shoe shiners. In it Muiruri acknowledges if God doesn’t intervene in his efforts he won’t be blessed and be rich enough to one day buy a house in Buru Buru Estate.

Andua Aria: A great groovy gospel song by another unknown Jane Mumenya. This song has a catchy bass line and lead rhythm guitar very well produced. Its message is about people who walk and wait on God never grow faint or weary. It’s an uplifting song that uplifts downtrodden spirits and lifts one up.

Gikuu kia Nugu: A gospel song by unknown Sovinga wa Bibiana an underground artist in River Road Nairobi. He collaborates on this hit with Muigai wa Njoroge. Like any Sovinga’s song this requires keen listening to understand its cryptic wisdom for living message. At a snapshot the song theme centers on the saying that when death is near for a monkey all trees are slippery.

Megutha: A song by family counselor and Pastor JJ Gitahi off his album ‘Kinyaga Mbere.’ In the song Pastor JJ Gitahi sings about the love of GOD that compelled him to follow Christ without resisting (megutha). Part of its message is drawn from Matthew 8:20 of foxes have holes. Its simple yet profound and played with strong lingala influence.

Andu Marekanire: This is a song by Ndindiko wa Waithaka of the Githingithia comedy fame. This is an apology and asking for forgiveness song by Ndindiko. In it Ndindiko apologizes to former girlfriends he had promised to marry and anyone he wronged. He acknowledges his earlier years naivety as the reasons he committed all those wrongs.

Mwihodotoro: An original song by the King of Mugithi Mike Rua. This is a relatively unknown song but is actually quite catchy. In a snippet of the song Rua thanks the person who first gave him a guitar for free when he could not afford it. He chronicles his early musical beginnings and in chorus urges a guy to stop complaining and eat vegetables called managu in kikuyu and sleep. The song is worth a listen if only for its combative vocals and great rhythm guitar playing.

Wikore: A gospel and wisdom for living song by Muigai wa Njoroge. This is anthem for the downtrodden struggling to make ends meet. Drawing on his own poverty past Muigai urges listeners to trust God in their sufferings as one day they will be exalted and be rich. The song has some nice vocal harmonies, keyboards and a background guitar riff it’s mournful but makes for a beautiful listen.

Tiga Niwe: One of the best sleeper kikuyu gospel hit song this 2013 by Beatrice Wangui aka Jordan. Once You listen to its message, You will understand why it’s a divine tearjerker. Its production is exquisite and the message by Wangui just acknowledges God goodness and faithfulness. In it Wangui sings if it were not for GOD she would not have been born again. It’s off her new album Kiambiriria.

Hau noho: A gospel song by Mirugi Dishon of Matiribu fame off Mirugi’s new album Matiribu. In the keyboard driven song, Mirugi urges Christians to be patient and wait on GOD. It draws on Biblical stories of Hannah and Peninah.

Korwo Ngai: A song by Wakabura Joseph. He chronicles his difficult beginnings in life the pain and suffering he went through to get to the pinnacle of Kikuyu Gospel. He urges the listeners to not quit when GOD is molding them to eventual greatness.

Githaa: A song by John Muchira a wedding MC from Kirinyaga County. The song is well produced and encourages listeners to wait for GOD’s perfect timing only. He acknowledges GOD is never late and is always on time.

Iremithia: A gospel song by an unknown Helen Wagio. In the song she prays GOD to remove obstacles hindering her from accomplishing her lifelong goals. It’s an uplifting anthem that lifts ones spirit to look to GOD as their source.

Gachomo Foreman: A song by Njuguna wa Lucy produced by Studio Sawa. This is wisdom for living song about a Gachomo character who worked as a building foreman. He used to swindle the company he worked for and steal money from builders working under him. Gachomo had such a big ego that he tied his trouser in high waist. Unfortunately luck run out he was caught fired became so broke that today he operates a beat up puppet near Shooters Githurai and receives coins from well-wishers and passersby incidentally he hated coins when he was a foreman.

These are not the only songs we consider sleeper hits. There are other sleeper hits from unknown Kikuyu artistes. If you know a sleeper hit from an unknown musician comment below this story or interact with us on our social media pages below.

10:33 AM | 0 comments | Read More

DK Karanja: ‘Mukunyururia’ singer shares his passion for God in Music


Daniel Kamau Karanja popular in Kikuyu Gospel, as DK Karanja is known for songs about everyday situations people go through and God’s purpose in them. The songs soft, prayerful melodic deliveries by Karanja is exactly what he asked God for, when he knew he was called to gospel music.

Growing Up
Though he released his first album in 2007, as a young boy born in Nyathuna, Kiambu and growing up in Narok, Karanja loved singing and also hoped to be a preacher. His mother, quarreled him for his love of hitting anything metallic like sufurias, milking buckets and kettles to create melodies. After 1992 tribal clashes forced them to relocate Kiambu from Narok he began to sing. But it’s after, he got born again in 2000 he sensed he was called to gospel music. His prayer to GOD was to sing uniquely and in a way that would make HIM be honored by listeners.

Early Struggles and Influences
He got a job as a matatu driver and saved money aiming to record one day. Money was hard to come and getting shillings 20,000 to record was beyond him. He joined a merry go round scheme where they saved money and got paid in turns Sh6000 after 30 days. In that time he listened to songs of other musicians and correct mistakes he viewed existed. His aim was always to sing from Godly conviction and will not for fame or money. “There is a way GOD requires us to worship HIM, not all songs we sing to him please HIM,” Karanja told Kikuyu Musicians.

Then he admired music by ND Githuka, late Anastasia Karanja, Milkah Muthoni, Julia Lucy, Elizabeth Nyambere and Njenga wa Cucu. “You can sense a touch of GOD in their music it’s not something they were dabbling in,” observes Karanja. He admired their songs that challenged people to live right with GOD. Up to when he released his first album, Karanja learned lessons on waiting on GOD. “A child can’t be born and eat Githeri tomorrow there is a need for growth,” said Karanja. For him GOD “delays” are vital to ensure we are not conceited after getting quick blessings that can lead us to self destruction. “Motivation shouldn’t be about money in gospel music,” he said.

Recording Debut Album & Discouragements
When he was ready to record, he had Sh6000 but the producer agreed to record him after promising to later pay the rest. His aim for the album was to convey his musical thoughts without interference by the producer. He released his debut album Jesu Nyita na Guoko in 2007. The album was initially not well received due to lack of radio airplay. “Acceptance for music in the media is at times hard,” Karanja observes. He took his album to Kikuyu radio stations around 10 times without any airplay. He even got a painful verbal barb, from a radio presenter who called his songs too mournful for radio. Another told him they had deleted them from their database.

Nonetheless, Karanja soldiered on without taking any hurtful statements personally. “Today I see the presenter though he is ashamed I don’t have hard feelings,” he said. The saving grace came through Skiza tunes by Safaricom once Karanja got his music there, it became popular. Later, the media picked his songs for airplay. “Skiza popularized my songs,” he said. Through that he advises budding musicians to never give up and be sure if GOD called them, the gift in them will flourish in due time. He also urges them to not take seriously anyone who belittles their GOD given musical gift. “So long as GOD who called You, hasn’t told You he can’t help You, why give up,” Karanja asks.

He followed his debut album with Ndakwambararia na Ngugoce album in 2009 which proved popular as well as his third album Nii Ningwitheria. His latest album is Mukunyururia whose title song has proved to be a spiritual anthem for those in tough times and getting mocked. Its message is from the story of the mocking Hannah endured from Peninah due to barrenness in the Bible. “At times you require an enemy to get You out of complacency and passivity and know what you lack,” said Karanja.

Composing Style & Piracy
When composing Karanja observes situations (good or bad) people go through and GOD’s purpose in them. According to him humanity suffers from common problems, in lack one may lack clothes another food. From such he gets a message first and then a melody follows. The Bible and Rhema word helps him have a revelation of how to contextualize GOD’s solution in the song for the listeners.

Though piracy has hit him, he has managed to sell 0.7 million songs and albums. “GOD has favoured me,” said Karanja. Piracy, Karanja says it won’t hinder him from delivering GOD’s message to people in songs. “A mole can’t stop a farmer from planting but those who feed their children by stealing are cursed with them,” said Karanja. He sees piracy as a blessing in disguise as GOD’s message reaches more people though he loathes it.

Motivation in Gospel Music
From observing today’s gospel music scene, Karanja is sad some people are in it for selfish motives like greed for money and fame than glorifying GOD. “Be in it according to GOD’s will only, the love of money is dangerous and makes people kill,” he said. Though open to ministering internationally, Karanja would shun invitations however lucrative whose motives are not GOD centered. “I don’t sing to please people but if GOD is honored people know HIM,” Karanja said. He recalls a person who told him his music wouldn’t sell since it’s not too modern or danceable but it never bothers him.

“There has to be a clear difference between gospel and worldly music,” Karanja said as GOD looks at the heart not the movements. These days unlike before, he is inundated with invites to an extent he can’t keep up with them, but is grateful to GOD for there were times they lacked. He markets his music in crusades and churches. He also appreciates the role stations like Inooro, Coro and Kameme FMs have had in making known his music. “They even call to ask if we got new music,” he said.

Challenges and Handling Them
Challenges, Karanja says shouldn’t faze us, as they are common to all, but leave us loving GOD more not shunning him. “Problems mould you so that tomorrow you are not prideful,” said Karanja. He has been in events where people have told him he can’t sing and refused a chance to. Nevertheless music is rewarding as his main source of livelihood and educates his children. Through music he has begun businesses like construction of buildings, hiring out public address systems and shooting videos.

Hope for the Future
In future he aims to expand his business to create employment in his Stardan video and music production company. His music is available in Simba Centre river road. He encourages musicians to invest in other sectors as it not guaranteed money from music will always flow. He urges people to know that GOD thinks good of them. “Better the problems of today with promise of a blessed tomorrow,” Karanja said. Of his 4 albums, Karanja’s favorite is the debut, as its all where his musical journey begun. “If we repent and follow GOD, HE will bring us to our vision,” said Karanja. Karanja’s contacts are +254 725 592 168.

Kikuyu Musicians Copyrights
10:07 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Ngaruiya Junior: from a rebellious drug addict to King of Kigooco (praise)


In recent years, 30 year old, Ngaruiya Junior has established himself as Kikuyu Gospel music’s go to praise leader earning him the nickname King of Kigooco. He has revived traditional Kikuyu gospel praise songs by putting instruments on them and re-establishing their mainstream popularity. So popular are the songs, they have eclipsed his original compositions. His new album is Jehova Nitwaguthaitha will be launched at Dominion Chapel Ministries, Kiserian September 15th 2013.
Early Life
Today in any event Ngaruiya leads praise; crowds are revived when he sings the Kigooco songs like Jehovah Mwathani, Mwathani Wakwa, Wi Mutheru Gocai Ngai Witu and Paul andikiire Kanitha. Though passionate about GOD today, Ngaruiya early life growing up in a Pastor’s home was laden with drug addictions, street life and rebellion that led him to quit school at class 6. Born in Kwambira, Limuru, Ngaruiya went to Kimiriru Primary School and at an early age got into bad company.

Wrong Company
They vandalized toilets, stole fruits from farms and even stole from churches including his father’s tithes and offerings. As a group of 4 boys’ money the stole was spent wastefully on eating mandazi’s. Later Ngaruiya was caught by his Dad and church members and spent two days in police cell. He was released on promising he would go back to school. Getting home, he threw his school uniform in a pit latrine and ran away from home to Nairobi to be a street boy. “I never lacked anything, my parents always provided every to my every need,” recalls Ngaruiya.

Street Boy and Addictions
That begun a downward spiral of addictions to bhang and glue and eating from garbage dumps. Life in Nairobi streets was hard, and Ngaruiya briefly returned to Limuru environs and begged food from people. Addictions also took their toll and Ngaruiya and the boys made Kikuyu Cemetery their home and slept there. For the 6 months he run from home, his parents reported him missing. “I’d hear on radio they were looking for me,” Ngaruiya told Kikuyu Musicians. The turning point came when he learned his aunt from Kimende had died and attended the funeral. At the funeral he was unrecognizable with his dirty street boy clothes, he saw his granny from Subukia he loved, and approached her.

Path to Redemption
The granny told his parents and through her, begged Ngaruiya to come back home. He promised only if he would be allowed to relocate to Subukia with his granny. The parents obliged and gave his granny money for clothes and provision. It was at Subukia, the urge to go back to church arose. He joined a Full Gospel Church, incidentally attended by a Kikuyu gospel duo called mother and son. He began singing with the church’s youth group after apologizing for his past misdeeds.

“People loved my singing,” Ngaruiya recalls and being mature he was asked one day to preach at a youth event. After preaching 40 people got born again, when he asked to be prayed for salvation 20 more people were born again. Life at his granny’s in Subukia consisted of Ngaruiya in casual labor of digging at other people’s farms. Later he got employed at Subukia Posho Mill which increased his visibility in the community, in addition to being active in Christian youth groups. “We used to sing in crusades, churches and funeral wakes,” Ngaruiya recalls.

Debut Album
Through those connections he got employed by a Pastor in Nyahururu to lead praise and worship in his church for Sh1000 a month. Though the pastor loved him, the wife hated Ngaruiya and even denied him food. “It was a hard life I used to go without food until the next salary,” he said. By close of 2000 he had saved some money to record his debut album ‘Jehovah wi Ngai Munene.’ He had also reconciled with his parents and his Dad, Harun Ngaruiya, who chipped in to help Ngaruiya record it in Nairobi.

He moved back to Nyahururu stayed a while but went back to Subukia at his granny’s. In those two places he managed to sell over 500 copies in 3 months. “I’d sell in crusades and in village funeral committees,” said Ngaruiya. Doors opened, and when popular gospel musicians like Hezeh Ndungu visited Subukia Ngaruiya performed with them. He later relocated back to his parents in Limuru.

Connecting With Anastasia Karanja
With Nairobi in proximity, Ngaruiya got connected to his musical mentor the late Anastasia Karanja of ‘Ino Ngoro’ fame. She mentored him spiritually and taught him to sing. Through her, he got invites to sing where she ministered like Keshas (overnight prayer vigils). To increase his reach, Ngaruiya also looked at newspaper obituaries to know who had died. Even without having known the deceased he would request presiding ministers to let him sing a song loved by the dead persons. Pastors obliged and he would sing and never charge anything. Several trips like those made Ngaruiya known.

Singing in Funerals
By the time Kikuyu radio stations knew him, he had already established himself in gospel music in Central Kenya. “Strange I got know from singing in maombolezi (funeral wakes),” said Ngaruiya. With Anastasia they founded an overnight prayer vigil called My Night with the King. Later on with KK a minister in Coro FM they started a church from the Keshas. Of his 10 albums so far he has 5 with Kigooco classic songs produced to capture the modern musical sound with guitars.

He also has done an original worship album ‘Jehovah ni Twaguthaitha.’’ He admits to love traditional Kigooco songs due to their longevity and their ministering influence never wanes. His advice to budding musicians is patience not expecting instant success. Mingling with people to increase talent exposure is vital according to Ngaruiya. Though piracy has hit him hard Ngaruiya sees it as a blessing in disguise as it increases his music’s reach. “If piracy hits You, know Your product is good don’t give up,” he observes.

Composing and Elevation to Prominence
When composing he gets a tune and message in tow. “It’s hard to explain, but it comes from GOD,” he said. His gifting has enabled him to sing for big shots in government like current President Uhuru Kenyatta he considers a friend. Internationally he has performed in Uganda and will perform in UK in December 2013. He aims to widen the reach of his music internationally in Africa and beyond. He is active in social media like Twitter, Linked In and Facebook and MCs events like weddings.

Importance of Prayers by Parents
Looking back, Ngaruiya admits he could not be where he is, were it not for his parents’ encouragement and persistent prayers when he was a delinquent. He advises young people to avoid drinking or drugs as they will ruin their futures. Having been a Pastor’s Kid (PK) Ngaruiya cautions church members to pray for their pastor’s families and homes, as the Devil targets them much, to destabilize Pastors from doing effective ministry to congregants. ‘Menyithia Mwathani Mathina Maku’ (tell Christ Your problems) is a song he wrote when he passed through troubles. In the song he prophesies to himself that he will be rich and out of those troubles. “I am doing well today,” he chimes in with a smile.

Mentoring Budding Musicians
Today he performs over 10 shows in a weekend and mentors over 10 budding musicians. Some he mentors include Uncle Ken wa Koimbi, CB Sir and Sammy Boy. Any budding musician he comes across Ngaruiya first establishes if he is forcing the musical talent or not. If he senses it’s there he takes him to the best studio. On recording he advises them before submitting the record to radio stations or an audience to listen first. “If it doesn’t make you happy, it won’t make a stranger happy,” he cautions.

Humility is also key to success “love GOD, walk humbly, pray and GOD will exalt you,” Ngaruiya said. For a man who wished to be a Kenya Power engineer he says now his heart is at home singing gospel music.
You can contact Ngaruiya on www.facebook.com/pages/Ngaruiya-Junior-Na-Mafans/243532435720466 or via email ngaruiyajunior@yahoo.com or juniorngaruiya@gmail.com 

By Kikuyu Musicians Copyrights





9:46 AM | 0 comments | Read More
 
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