While you read the post below, you might wanna check these Jams out too
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image courtesy of Musyoka Facebook
Many times we often comment on the artists delivery, the lyrical composition of the songs and probably the skill set and charisma of the artist. We rarely comment about the producers or the production houses. As much as majority of the users on this site are producers and DJ’s its interesting that no particular post has focused on any single producer in terms of delivery, consistency and skillz.
Therefore allow me to indulge this producer on this post, just this one time.
As much as I want to talk about this song – which is on my 2009 ipod favorites playlist (its actually a 2008 hit). I am compelled to talk about Eric Musyoka as a producer who has done many wonderful things. Musyoka has single handedly changed the face of Kenyan hiphop since his inception as a producer. Of course not too many people know that Musyoka was a rapper in his previous life – but i will save his street credibility before some of his material starts surfacing 
. I am just glad he gave up the Mic for the sound board.
I’ve worked with Musyoka on a few projects and I noticed a few production habits a long the way. His signature teeth grinding and keyboard chunking when he is compiling production tools in the fridge (Sound studio at Homeboyz) keeps you on the edge of your seat through out the entire session. All artists respect this dude, I am yet to meet someone who wasn’t happy with the work he did or the way he treated them. Musyoks came to the US a few months ago to further his skill at NYU (NYC – My mistake I meant to say Musyoka came to NYC) and after he graduated he went back home to manage P-UNIT. I have nothing but a lot of love and respect for the man – but more respect for the music he constantly creates.
My favorite tracks from Musyokas kitchen – are stuck somewhere in that failed SEMA album… Sakalataka being one of them and a few other joints that were slept on were ridiculously sick (there is also some Mr Googz material I heard before dude went secular thats sick). However for now please listen to this East African collaboration from Professor Jay from Tanzania and Klepto (Kenya) – pay attention to the harps and keyboard if you can – then you will understand why Musyoka will always be DR. DRE wa KENYA.
ps. Not that anyone cares but if I was ever to put East African producers into a bucket of people I would like to work on my artists album – this is how that list would look like.
1. Musyoka (Kenya)
2. P-Funk (Tanzania)
3. Ambrose Mandugu Digital (Kenya)
4. Steve Jean (Uganda) (The old Steve Jean..)
5. Masta J (Tanzania)
6. Hiram (Kenya)
listen to Njoo here:
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download the track here:
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Comments ( 19 )
yup. the instrumentals are crazy. Musyoka is definitely gifted. The track would have been even crazier if he had done away with the typical bongo skip beat. I’m sure you know what I mean by ’skip beat’. Most bongo tracks have it. Then again, maybe he meant it to be strictly bongo. Mad respect though.
Realest added these pithy words on
Jan 04 09 at
3:17 pm
Y44 added these pithy words on Loving this track! Clepto can really rap. I love Prof Jay but this track should be titled Clepto featuring Prof Jay..not the other way round
Shorty added these pithy words on
Jan 04 09 at
10:54 pm
rizzla added these pithy words on Musyoka’s signature is the light-sounding hi hats that can be noticed all the way from “Furahi Day” to “Sakalakata”. I was told that different softwares each have a different general sound eg Fruity vs Reason. Maich black had started using those type of hi-hats as well but I didn’t think he was copying Musyoka’s style. Co-incidence maybe.
Njoo is a good effort but collo’s back-ups especially the ones that are left-panned are not really back-ups: they’re too loud and kinda side-track you kidogo. But, on the left you’ll also hear musyoka’s keyboard chording and if you like it, it can balance out the irritation. Ha!Ha!
Professor Jay is rapping in high-tenor, not what we’re used to but its alright. Njoo, I think glorifies Musyoka more than it does Klepto or Professor Jalang’o {Professor J}.
gentlemanly added these pithy words on
Jan 11 09 at
2:49 am
Musyoka is undoubtedly talented his contribution to the Kenyan music indusrty is pro-found I’love that the columnist mentioned some of his earlier work. On this track the production is great the arrangement is to die for and to be honest Professor J, Nyash and Collo hold their own!
My only concern is as mentioned earlier, and final editing the mastering! Its top heavy and volume levels. I do however like the panning and sound imaging!
gitz added these pithy words on
Jan 21 09 at
7:23 am
guys, great article. Just a few areas of concern..
Yes, Musyoka is good producer..I wouldnt say great for now..but he is good and very talented. I just have an issue after going through different articles over the years that give false backgrounds about individuals especially in the entertainment world. Sorry Musyoka you had to be an example of this….Being an NYU alumni, I will state that Musyokau was never an NYU graduate student, or a student of NYU at any one time. When he came to the US, he was living in NJ and used to come here in the city to some production college (equivalent of blanes secretarial college in nai) / or one of those computer packages program. He did this for only 9 mnths and got a certificate for completing is keyboard training. I’m not hating but hate it when people lie about their achievements and schools they attended…NYU is an IVY league school and NO, Musyoka was not one of US!!
ben added these pithy words on
Mar 08 09 at
8:44 am
umm, yeah, ben…NYU is not an ivy league school.
there are eight ivy league schools… brown, columbia, cornell, dartmouth, harvard, princeton, penn, and yale.
as someone who is against false information i thought you would like to know.
AfricanThunder added these pithy words on
Mar 13 09 at
2:52 am
Hello Ben –
i would Like to clarify the NYU issue. I never at any 1 time said i was at NYU – i went to SAE Institute. http://www.sae.edu. i attended their New York campus . its not a secretarial college as you think. its a very reputable Audio Technology School allover the world. i dont know where you heard about me and NYU. I Dont know where NYU is and i have NEVER been to NYU. i did my undergrad in Strathmore University Kenya and graduated in 2006. i attened SAE in 2007 until 2008. So please Don’t label me as lying about my achievements.
Eric Musyoka added these pithy words on
Mar 16 09 at
12:20 am
The Admin of getmziki meant NYC not NYU…….
Eric Musyoka added these pithy words on
Mar 16 09 at
12:38 am
Nice to hear shinksis voice after such a long time. NYU ivy league?? its a top notch institution but not an IL. Thats besides the point though Musyoka is one of the many goo producers out there. Love the track kenya mix and bongo.
lisa added these pithy words on
Mar 16 09 at
10:31 am
Hello Ben,
I think the better than thou attitude that comes with your comments on Musyoka is uncalled for. I mean this is a guy who in one year has done much more than you and your whole family will ever do! Honestly its uncalled for! especially the “one of us” comment. IVY league school? well sad thing is you are the type that comes to America after a couple of stints at nursing homes and walmart feel so advance that you rubbish anything others who are actually doing things with their lives! Dude be respectful and work hard on your green card!
gogo added these pithy words on
Mar 17 09 at
8:00 am
Kwa nini Mnachokoza Musyoka?? ehh, sarekana na yeye. He has one of the biggest records this year so far…Nonini Kathaa
Roddy added these pithy words on
Mar 18 09 at
8:50 am
EEEEEE yo haters,don’t talk shit about musyoka.Tha mr. iz tight.
jiggers added these pithy words on
Apr 03 09 at
12:12 am
I have been a friend of Musyoks since high school. I have seen him evolve from a MAD rapper to the illest producer in the land. I have even hung out at Decimal records and it is grand. Listen to the beat on P-UNIT’s ‘Rush hour’ and you will go crazy. Ben, please shut it. Honestly, I doubt anyone can touch this dude production-wise. We are now seeing artistes who were the face of various production houses (e.g. Nameless-Ogopa, Nonini-Calif) shifting base to Decimal records.
Patrick Muteti added these pithy words on
May 22 09 at
6:10 am
The song has a really great, kind of non-chalant vibe, it is so nice!
Could someone please post the lyrics?
Joe added these pithy words on
Nov 18 09 at
3:57 pm
The intro to me just kill’s it. and through out the whole song the melody is just nice through out.
Just a fine jam musyoka keep it might follow in your footsteps
Ndekonova added these pithy words on
Nov 24 09 at
6:28 am
