image courtesy of Surefire Music group
We sometimes would like to pride ourselves in being able to break music and break new artists, however the saddest thing is that we probably have been constant with breaking new music as opposed to breaking new artists.
Although over the next few days we will do a 2008 Artist Wrap up to showcase some of the new artists we discovered in the US, and some of the not so new artists we discovered in Kenya/Uganda and Tanzania.
Attached is an exclusive track from a Kenyan born US superstar and phenomenon called Makio, the track is called trippin. Makio’s management had sent this to us a while back and we tried pushing it in Kenya through various channels and even submitted it to Kora Awards at the time. Thanks to some of our people at Phat Africa (Mike Strano asante sana!) who opened a few doors here and there and we were able to get some interesting feedback. Needless to say this is a brand you probably wouldn’t hear often but we felt it important to close the year by sharing his music and letting some of the ladies ogle on this Kenyan breed thriving in Baltimore, MD.
Some of the more TV savvy people based in the US may have seen him audition and participate in Making the Band IV but we think the bigger accomplishment here is actually pursuing the music after Making the Band and not necessarily making it to Making the Band…
That said since then, Makio has worked with people like Serius Jones (DTP), Q Parker (from 112), Tony Sunshine (Terro Squad) amongst others and we think if he keeps this up then we definately will be seeing him on some MTV2 shit or BET 106 and Park (well its no longer running but an equivalent show). To us Makio is a well packaged brand image-wise and also product-wise, he has the voice, the swagger and the talent to become the next superstar. We will give you all the support we can through our network – Cheers Makio and Team
Enjoy Makio’s hit single tripping here:
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download the track here:
We also snapped up some interesting video footage of Makio called – On the Rise Episode 1. Its an interesting journey you might enjoy it so make sure you check it out also.
Makio is managed by Sure Fire Music – www.surefiremusicgroup.com
You can also visit Makios homepage here: www.makiomusic.com
Eiye! Makio Bwana. There’s wisdom in the fact that this chap is keen on conquering the States, rather than becoming a local hotshot… Trippin’ is one of those tracks that immediately resign you to not even want to listen to the rest of it…coz you already know it’ll be awesome! Makio has polished his vocals to such a fine degree, you’d insult him if you joked that maybe his part-time job in the states is doing back-up for Usher. This guy is not back-up material, not even for a guru like Usher.
Trippin’ doesn’t trip at all. The instrumental track is at par with any Chris Brown beat. I like the placing of the Kick, sort-of in a way that throws you inje ya basi during the intro but you get back in when he starts singing, “Emotions running deep…” Mastering is almost perfect, back-up harmonies are crafted in such a way that the higher-tenors are slightly softer than the main melody as opposed to mixing all harmonies at same levels. This is a very intelligent vocal-mixing technique that Quincy Jones uses a lot, especially in the stuff he did for MJ and a few of Tevin Campbell Hits.
Let Makio come and do a workshop for all aspiring R&B Singers huku. You’ll agree with me, we’ll have quite a lot to learn. Kudoz Getmziki for posting such an artist, and such a song.