Kenya is the cradle of the greater lakes region, musically. Most artistes from Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania or Uganda who have made it big in the region have been embraced by Kenya, writes DAVID ODONGO
During the infancy of the Pulse generation showbiz,Nairobi
bestowed itself as the entertainment hub of East Africa with most international imports making it their preferred destination for their East African concerts.
But there was something else quite interesting. As leading recording labels such as Ogopa and the Tedd Josiah owned Blu Zebra opened doors, artistes from Uganda and Tanzania chose Nairobi as their career-launching base.
It is said that back then, any artiste who aspired to make it big in East Africa had first to come to Nairobi, record their music and launch their music here before going back to their hometowns to a celebrated homecoming. Consequently, others came, saw and conquered before making a permanent base here.
Tact may have changed since but still; it is impossible to rate any successful East African celebrity without includingKenya in their profile. In fact, they say, unless Pulse has talked about you, you probably don’t exist in the local showbiz arena.
Going down memory lane, we sample just a few of the said ‘Made in Kenya’ artistes.
Jose ChameleoneUganda’s biggest artiste has his roots deeply entrenched in the Kenyan music industry. In the late 1990s, Jose Chameleone made a smart career move, a shift that he has never regretted. As his music career was budding, the then little known singer relocated to Kenya.
Together with DJ Mose and another Ugandan Bebe Cool, the trio found their way to Dimples Entertainment offices at Afya Centre. The trio hooked up with Redsan who was then part of the group One II Moja and headed to Sync Sounds.
A story is told of how Chameleone, broke with nothing apart from dreams and determination he worked hard for the big breakthrough.
His big break came with Bageya, a single featuring Bebe Cool and Redsan. Later the trio moved to Ogopa Deejays where Chameleone churned Njoki — a love turn sour hit — that ruled the airwaves.
Riding in his newfound fame, there was no turning back for the son of Mayanja. Now a star, he went back to Uganda and as they say, the rest is history. Chameleone’s musical style is a combination of Ugandan folk music, central African rumba, zouk and ragga. Ogopa DJs take the credit for this unique Chameleone touch fusion.
The singer went ahead to release his debut album in Kenya in 1999. He has since released several albums including Bageya (2000), Mama Mia (2001), Njo Karibu (2002), The Golden Voice (2003), Mambo Bado (2004) and Kipepeo (2005).
KidumJean Pierre Nimbona aka Kidum is currently one of the most celebrated artistes in East Africa. Born in Bujumbura, Burundi, he started his career as a drummer when he was only ten years old in 1984. Ten years later, he launched his own band called Electric Power, which lasted for only a year due to the war in Burundi.
Due to the political instability in the country, he ran from his country to Kenya in 1995 to continue with his career. Since establishing roots in Kenya, Kidum’s music career has experienced a tremendous rise.
Kidum joined the Hot Rod Band before forming Boda Boda Band in 2004. He still runs the band. The multi-talented award winning Burundian artiste who operates from Nairobi is a household name in urban East Africa.
His new album, Haturudi Nyuma, exhibits his multiple talents as a composer, vocalist, drummer and arranger par excellence. Although most of his earlier songs were all in Kirundi, Kidum has recently switched to Kiswahili and this has enabled him massive following in Kenya and Tanzania. He has several regional awards under his name.
Peter MilesAnother Uganda dancehall king and heartthrob, Peter Miles has been in the music industry since he was fourteen. However, his road to stardom became smoother after he linked up with Ogopa DJs, who recorded and shot a video for his hit, One Time. So phenomenal was the song that the little known Miles was nominated for the 2004 Kisima Awards edition. Then came the collabos with the then high-riding boy band Swahili Nation and Mr Googz, which further cemented Miles position in the regional music industry.
"Kenya will always be a second home. I get so much love from the Kenyan public," says Miles
Since then, Miles has won numerous awards besides becoming one of the biggest names in the region’s showbiz history. He now records in his home based Road Block Records. Fame has brought Mile great fortune. A Mercedes was his latest acquisition, the last time we checked.
Angela ChibalonzaThe late Angela Chibalonza Runiga found a home in Kenya where she got married and settled before her shocking demise through a road accident as she was driving from a concert in Eldoret three years ago.
A musician with albums that sold in thousands in the East Africa region, Chibalonza had warmed her way into the hearts of thousands of music lovers even though some of her compositions were in Lingala.
Born in DRC, Angela moved to Kenya in1996 to pursue her music career. It is reported that she had never recorded any music in her native Congo.
Upon getting to Kenya, the budding musician released her maiden album, Nikuabudu. She then released Jina la Yesu the following year. Come 1999, she released Mwisho wa Dunia and then Ninapotembea.
This was quite a coup for the young Congolese who was barely 21 when she arrived in Nairobi and had to quickly learn Kiswahili so she could compose and perform in the Kenyan national language where Gospelmusic reigns.
Rising to be one of the most celebrated gospel stars in East and Central Africa, Kenyans embraced Angela as one of their own.
Bebe CoolUgandan king of drama, Moses Ssali started his career in 1997 in Nairobi. Together with Redsan and now his archrival, Chameleone, they were the first artistes to be affiliated to Ogopa DJs. Having gained a foundation in music in Kenya; Bebe went back to Uganda where he has continued to wow fans with his lyrical prowess as well as his danceable ragga hits.
He has released two solo albums, Maisha and Senta. His lyrics are in Luganda, Swahili, and English. Bebe Cool is husband to model and former Miss Uganda contestant Zuena Kirema and is now a father of two —Alpha Thierry and Beata.
Bebe Cool is one of the most consistent and successful Ugandan artistes.
He was recently voted the best artiste in Uganda for the second time besides having won several prizes at the Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) and Kora Awards. Bebe has also toured extensively in the UK and the US.
Keeping his Kenyan roots, the ragga king still works with the Necessary Noize duo of Wyre and Nazizi, together forming the East African Bashment Crew.
Robert KamanziRobert Kamanzi aka RKay is the gospel don in Kenya. There was a time in the early years of the millennium when all hit gospel track bore his trademark. He either wrote the lyrics, or played an instrument or recorded the song. Producer, composer, songwriter, actor, multi-lingual charmer, manager and singer, the born again musical genius has come from far.
Having been in the industry for longer than anyone can remember, that R Kay, people are surprised to learn, is originally from Burundi. In 1998, he started a gospel group Shammah, famed for the hit song, Ukilya Moko.
Together with Henrie Mutuku and Pastor Pete Odera, Izzo the group laid foundation to contemporary gospel music in the country. RKay later joined Maurice Oyando’s Next Level Studios, where he worked as a sound engineer. With skill garnered from years in production, he moved to Sound Minds Production in 2000 as a producer.
With his top notch productions, it’s no surprise that his work with Rufftone and Henrie Mutuku in Usichoke and Mwikulu was nominated for 2003 Kora Awards. He also worked on the highly acclaimed, Furahia, Esther Wahome’s album. Based in Nairobi, RKay stands out as the most celebrated gospel music producer in the region to-date.
AmbasadaThe mellow-voiced Ugandan singer was a hit back in 2005 after his Watoto Inkane release. The song has a Kwaito groove. It brought out Ambasada’s immense singing talent. During his stay in Kenya all was rosy for the singer with back-to-back gigs boosting him to great fame and financial gains. But alas! When he left the country, everything about him went quiet. Working hard to redeem his diminishing fame, Ambasada is now back, working with a Kenyan promoter who has been pushing his new album through leading music stars and media houses.
JIThe Bongo crooner shot into the limelight with his single, Kidato Kimoja. Having tasted and enjoyed the reception in Kenya, JI has made Kenya his official base of operation. He has also been signed by a Kenyan label, Grandpa Records, which manages him. He has bought a house in Mombasa, where he now resides. "Hapa ni kwangu, nilikuja mara ya kwanza, nikalakiwa vyema. Napenda Bongo lakini huku, kazi na biashara yananiweka;" says JI, who also imports clothes from Dubai and sells them to stalls.
Kenya has been good to him indeed as the last time we checked, he was in a serious relationship with a Kenyan woman, whom he swears he will marry. He joins the likes of South Sudanese singer Baby One who relocated to Kenyan and got a home at Ogopa DJs studios.
Another Sudanese who has permanently relocated to Kenya is K-Denk. Thrust into the limelight by Tusker Project Fame, K-Denk went ahead to wow Kenyans by his rap skills during the reality television show.
After being kicked out of TPF, he signed a record deal with Refigah’s Grandpa Records. He recently released a collabo with Sanaipei Tande. The song has landed a Kisima Awards nomination. "I will always be Sudanese but Kenya is also home. It’s my base of operations for my music career," insists K-Denk.
During the infancy of the Pulse generation showbiz,
But there was something else quite interesting. As leading recording labels such as Ogopa and the Tedd Josiah owned Blu Zebra opened doors, artistes from Uganda and Tanzania chose Nairobi as their career-launching base.
 |
| Kidum |
 |
| Chameleone |
 |
| Bobby Wine |
It is said that back then, any artiste who aspired to make it big in East Africa had first to come to Nairobi, record their music and launch their music here before going back to their hometowns to a celebrated homecoming. Consequently, others came, saw and conquered before making a permanent base here.
Tact may have changed since but still; it is impossible to rate any successful East African celebrity without including
Going down memory lane, we sample just a few of the said ‘Made in Kenya’ artistes.
Jose ChameleoneUganda’s biggest artiste has his roots deeply entrenched in the Kenyan music industry. In the late 1990s, Jose Chameleone made a smart career move, a shift that he has never regretted. As his music career was budding, the then little known singer relocated to Kenya.
Together with DJ Mose and another Ugandan Bebe Cool, the trio found their way to Dimples Entertainment offices at Afya Centre. The trio hooked up with Redsan who was then part of the group One II Moja and headed to Sync Sounds.
A story is told of how Chameleone, broke with nothing apart from dreams and determination he worked hard for the big breakthrough.
His big break came with Bageya, a single featuring Bebe Cool and Redsan. Later the trio moved to Ogopa Deejays where Chameleone churned Njoki — a love turn sour hit — that ruled the airwaves.
Riding in his newfound fame, there was no turning back for the son of Mayanja. Now a star, he went back to Uganda and as they say, the rest is history. Chameleone’s musical style is a combination of Ugandan folk music, central African rumba, zouk and ragga. Ogopa DJs take the credit for this unique Chameleone touch fusion.
The singer went ahead to release his debut album in Kenya in 1999. He has since released several albums including Bageya (2000), Mama Mia (2001), Njo Karibu (2002), The Golden Voice (2003), Mambo Bado (2004) and Kipepeo (2005).
KidumJean Pierre Nimbona aka Kidum is currently one of the most celebrated artistes in East Africa. Born in Bujumbura, Burundi, he started his career as a drummer when he was only ten years old in 1984. Ten years later, he launched his own band called Electric Power, which lasted for only a year due to the war in Burundi.
Due to the political instability in the country, he ran from his country to Kenya in 1995 to continue with his career. Since establishing roots in Kenya, Kidum’s music career has experienced a tremendous rise.
Kidum joined the Hot Rod Band before forming Boda Boda Band in 2004. He still runs the band. The multi-talented award winning Burundian artiste who operates from Nairobi is a household name in urban East Africa.
His new album, Haturudi Nyuma, exhibits his multiple talents as a composer, vocalist, drummer and arranger par excellence. Although most of his earlier songs were all in Kirundi, Kidum has recently switched to Kiswahili and this has enabled him massive following in Kenya and Tanzania. He has several regional awards under his name.
Peter MilesAnother Uganda dancehall king and heartthrob, Peter Miles has been in the music industry since he was fourteen. However, his road to stardom became smoother after he linked up with Ogopa DJs, who recorded and shot a video for his hit, One Time. So phenomenal was the song that the little known Miles was nominated for the 2004 Kisima Awards edition. Then came the collabos with the then high-riding boy band Swahili Nation and Mr Googz, which further cemented Miles position in the regional music industry.
"Kenya will always be a second home. I get so much love from the Kenyan public," says Miles
Since then, Miles has won numerous awards besides becoming one of the biggest names in the region’s showbiz history. He now records in his home based Road Block Records. Fame has brought Mile great fortune. A Mercedes was his latest acquisition, the last time we checked.
Angela ChibalonzaThe late Angela Chibalonza Runiga found a home in Kenya where she got married and settled before her shocking demise through a road accident as she was driving from a concert in Eldoret three years ago.
A musician with albums that sold in thousands in the East Africa region, Chibalonza had warmed her way into the hearts of thousands of music lovers even though some of her compositions were in Lingala.
Born in DRC, Angela moved to Kenya in1996 to pursue her music career. It is reported that she had never recorded any music in her native Congo.
Upon getting to Kenya, the budding musician released her maiden album, Nikuabudu. She then released Jina la Yesu the following year. Come 1999, she released Mwisho wa Dunia and then Ninapotembea.
This was quite a coup for the young Congolese who was barely 21 when she arrived in Nairobi and had to quickly learn Kiswahili so she could compose and perform in the Kenyan national language where Gospel
Rising to be one of the most celebrated gospel stars in East and Central Africa, Kenyans embraced Angela as one of their own.
Bebe CoolUgandan king of drama, Moses Ssali started his career in 1997 in Nairobi. Together with Redsan and now his archrival, Chameleone, they were the first artistes to be affiliated to Ogopa DJs. Having gained a foundation in music in Kenya; Bebe went back to Uganda where he has continued to wow fans with his lyrical prowess as well as his danceable ragga hits.
He has released two solo albums, Maisha and Senta. His lyrics are in Luganda, Swahili, and English. Bebe Cool is husband to model and former Miss Uganda contestant Zuena Kirema and is now a father of two —Alpha Thierry and Beata.
Bebe Cool is one of the most consistent and successful Ugandan artistes.
He was recently voted the best artiste in Uganda for the second time besides having won several prizes at the Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) and Kora Awards. Bebe has also toured extensively in the UK and the US.
 |
| Bebe Cool |
Keeping his Kenyan roots, the ragga king still works with the Necessary Noize duo of Wyre and Nazizi, together forming the East African Bashment Crew.
Robert KamanziRobert Kamanzi aka RKay is the gospel don in Kenya. There was a time in the early years of the millennium when all hit gospel track bore his trademark. He either wrote the lyrics, or played an instrument or recorded the song. Producer, composer, songwriter, actor, multi-lingual charmer, manager and singer, the born again musical genius has come from far.
Having been in the industry for longer than anyone can remember, that R Kay, people are surprised to learn, is originally from Burundi. In 1998, he started a gospel group Shammah, famed for the hit song, Ukilya Moko.
Together with Henrie Mutuku and Pastor Pete Odera, Izzo the group laid foundation to contemporary gospel music in the country. RKay later joined Maurice Oyando’s Next Level Studios, where he worked as a sound engineer. With skill garnered from years in production, he moved to Sound Minds Production in 2000 as a producer.
With his top notch productions, it’s no surprise that his work with Rufftone and Henrie Mutuku in Usichoke and Mwikulu was nominated for 2003 Kora Awards. He also worked on the highly acclaimed, Furahia, Esther Wahome’s album. Based in Nairobi, RKay stands out as the most celebrated gospel music producer in the region to-date.
AmbasadaThe mellow-voiced Ugandan singer was a hit back in 2005 after his Watoto Inkane release. The song has a Kwaito groove. It brought out Ambasada’s immense singing talent. During his stay in Kenya all was rosy for the singer with back-to-back gigs boosting him to great fame and financial gains. But alas! When he left the country, everything about him went quiet. Working hard to redeem his diminishing fame, Ambasada is now back, working with a Kenyan promoter who has been pushing his new album through leading music stars and media houses.
JIThe Bongo crooner shot into the limelight with his single, Kidato Kimoja. Having tasted and enjoyed the reception in Kenya, JI has made Kenya his official base of operation. He has also been signed by a Kenyan label, Grandpa Records, which manages him. He has bought a house in Mombasa, where he now resides. "Hapa ni kwangu, nilikuja mara ya kwanza, nikalakiwa vyema. Napenda Bongo lakini huku, kazi na biashara yananiweka;" says JI, who also imports clothes from Dubai and sells them to stalls.
Kenya has been good to him indeed as the last time we checked, he was in a serious relationship with a Kenyan woman, whom he swears he will marry. He joins the likes of South Sudanese singer Baby One who relocated to Kenyan and got a home at Ogopa DJs studios.
Another Sudanese who has permanently relocated to Kenya is K-Denk. Thrust into the limelight by Tusker Project Fame, K-Denk went ahead to wow Kenyans by his rap skills during the reality television show.
After being kicked out of TPF, he signed a record deal with Refigah’s Grandpa Records. He recently released a collabo with Sanaipei Tande. The song has landed a Kisima Awards nomination. "I will always be Sudanese but Kenya is also home. It’s my base of operations for my music career," insists K-Denk.