Bamboo – Go DJ (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
I love Bamboo for a few reasons, through the thick and thin homie can really bounce back as if he was never down. I love Bamboo because sometimes he listens to his fans. I love Bamboo more importantly because he is a go getter – he will do what he must to make it out of this rap game/entertainment. If you can recall a few months ago I was bitching about Bamboo going back to his roots and just getting fresh with the Sheng flows.
Bamboo has it all, he has the talent, he has the flows, he has the smarts to put together some really cool choppy bars that keep his audiences engaged. Sometimes I think however as an artists it gets confusing which call you should answer. I’ve been watching this Trey songz show on BET lately (considering I hate BET). And its interesting management told Trey Songz to kill his gangsta image and the braids/corn rows for the clean cut snazzy sexy boy look. IT WORKED. Sometimes I just wish someone can do the same for Bamboo and manage his brand – and manage it well. Because all this is all about BRANDING – sio kitu ingine.
Either way – the African BANTU I salute you and love your work each time you send me the hits. This is no exception, this is a sure shot. Its not a club dancing song – this is not your COMPE type of track. But you will sit and listen to the Bamboo Delivery. Also key thing to note is that Bizzy has been in the US for a minute but am happy his Sheng flow is on point 
..Wapi album za K-South, tume uza – sija uza uliza Suzanne… // Bamboo youze a fool for this one – I thought Samawati ni mambo ya zamani.
listen to Go DJ here
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Five Alive – Oh Ndio Ndio (GetMziki Throwback Exclusive ***)
Its probably 1am as I post this classic track, see what happened was … I watched a video reel that Afroshok had made and he used a snipped of Just a Bands – Oh Ndio (off their new album). The song kept looping in my head like a bad flu. I realized I had heard that song before somewhere. So I reached out to our contacts in KE (Dan!) and pretty much just looped my thoughts over an email.
Dan just responded with the track and the facts – FIVE ALIVE, 1996 Oh Ndio Ndio – I still love you. Ohhhhh YESS and my night is complete.
Real talk Five Alive paved the way for so many Kenyan local artists its amazing when I listen to the likes of Didge, Nameless, Chizi and so forth. There was something special about this group – THEY COULD ACTUALLY SING. They were all musicians in one form or another and some actually played instruments. Although I think Bruce Odhiambo was really the man behind a lot of their hits. Ive had the privilege of meeting and be-friending 90% of the crew (Joe, Victor and Eric) became really close friends and honestly the dudes are just fresh and good energy. Its no wonder Five Alive was just successful bunch of singers. I have so many fond memories of their music and their performances, but for tonight/today I leave you all with this hit thats well deserved on GetMziki.
I will update this post with the Just A Band version. But for now just enjoy this, sit back on a corner somewhere and think about where you were in 1996 when these guys were running media in Kenya (Jimmy Gathu’s JAM A DELIC looped these tracks back to back).
listen to Oh Ndio Ndio here:
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Remembering the King of Pop (GetMziki Exclusives ***)
So today is exactly a year since the King of pop passed away. In reality some would argue that he has no business being on GetMziki, but I think the sheer fact that he influenced and inspired so many African artists – we ought to pay tribute and share some of the two greatest works available online today made in his honor. Since we love you guys so much and have the resources and technology to support these files, we have stored them on our servers and you can enjoy them here (play them) or download your own copy.
DJ Ayres is a bad ass Jungu DJ based in NYC, Ive been a keen listener and follower of his mixes and blends so it wasnt shocking that his mix was well put together. I think if you are an all time MJ fan you will appreciate the depth of the music selection and how he builds up from the 70′s to the current. I’ve been blasting that mix for more than a year since it was made way before MJ passed away, but how relevant is that mix right now.
The second mix is by DJ Eric, (Update: I over stated earlier – this is DJ Eric not DJ Nyandat.. My bad)
as much as I don’t feature a lot of his work here, I think Eric is one of the most talented cats out there – a bit OG at this time in the game but still very relevant. My dream is to host a Dinosaur party with Nyandat, Otieno Vee, DJ Peter, DJ Kay Dee, Bruce Odhiambo, Hussein Abdala amongst other great Kenyan DJs ive met in my time. I think these OG’s have an understanding of old skool that many new school cats just dont. These days DJs mix and blend BPMs sometimes some cats dont even know the name of the song or who is singing… so long as it blends – lets go (http://www.willitblend.com/)
Anyway as we sit and remember MJ, lets keep in mind that this is one of the few cats who had put Africa on the map way before many of these other Bono, Alicia and the likes did. To date “We are the world” has sold over 20 Million copies raising about 63Million dollars in aid/food to Africa. Thats a major step for one album/song.
Enjoy the sets below.
Listen to DJ Ayres Mix here:
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Listen to DJ Eric’s MJ Mix here:
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Download the mix here: [Right Click and hit save target as]
watch we are the world here:
STREET LETHAL VIRUS – AFROBEAT : DJ Kaydee (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
In my continuation of the Mixtapes/Mixes series this is the second Mix I wanted to highlight thats a MUST HAVE. I threw a challenge at Kaydee a while back. I told Kaydee folks need something different from DJ’s today. The whole Genge/Kapuka and pop mixes has been done – there is an over saturation of so many Similar mixes floating around the internet in one form or the other. So whats going to be your differentiator? I have told the same thing to a couple of out DJs I like out there, I keep telling them its too cloudy out there you need to clear things out by being one of the few DJs who can stand out.
And for months Kaydee never really responded with what he would do. He still hasnt responded, but when he sent this I emailed him back and told him welcome/ now you are talking my language. Kay dee has been working on a frequent Web series of the STREET LETHAL Mixes (btw he is very consistent on delivering these mixes). Each week or two he sends a mix of different genre – to me everything else he sent was just okay and good until he put this together. Unfortunately I dont have the tracklist nor the artwork to this particular session but I think its a must have. It may be annoying the same music I grew up listening to and hating is the same music I am drawn to and enjoy because I get to dance to it. It may also be that the popular Urban tracks are stealing small bits and pieces of that Benga and Congolese sound here and there that its beginning to closely resemble each other. Needless to say this is a MUST HAVE – Kaydee mix.
On the flip side – Side note: There are two different, VERY Different Kay Dees. Many folks in the US know of DJ Kay Dee from Denver (old school cat – very very very humble cool dude, I love this dude sana one of my good friends). And then there is DJ Kay Dee from Kenya (KayDeethal) .. I’ve also know Kay Dee – Kenya for a long time. Kay Dee is the king of JAM SESSION at F2. He has been the long standing DJ at F2 for years and probably responsible for so many talented guys who are discovered at F2. He currently is part of TOD (Take Over DJs) and has been to the US several times before.
Either way this is fire.
listen to AFROBEAT here:
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download the mix here:
Kidum feat Lady Jay Dee – Nitafanya (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
For the longest time I thought Kidum was from Kenya, probably because he had that banger of a track with Nameless titled – Karibia. Karibia was such a huge big track, I think it was big enough that the two artists decided to collaborate on another track called Greedy.
This is another such huge collaboration featuring Tanzanians R&B sensation Lady Jay Dee. It seems as though Kidum is not necessarily strong on his own because frankly each song I have heard from his album has some other local East African big act. Needless to say he probably has the strongest voice in the region right now. Kidum is originally from Burundi but sources always tend to trace his roots to Uganda or Rwanda, as we understand he is the biggest act in Burundi but because of his close ties to Tanzania he has a better understanding of the Bongo swagger and language. To demonstrate his connections he collaborated with Hermy B of B’Hits Music Group in Tanzania and ofcourse had the duet collabo of Lady JD.
Give this track a few spins family! – enjoy! This is a BIG ZOUK-like track! this is LARGE!
listen to Nitafanya here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Kaz – Run Run Run (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
It’s no secret that GetMziki has been backing up Kaz for a few years now, its not really a big deal, it happened magically one day we discovered Kaz when she was hosting some Karaoke shows at the Intercontinental hotel in Nairobi. This was before the project fame successes and the album hits. Since then we knew that we would want to play a part in ensuring her music had legs wherever she went. Her Journeys can be found separately at www.kazmuzik.com – however Kaz has been busy wrapping up her sophomore album conveniently titled “The Naked Truth is…”
We have sampled at least half the album which includes tracks recorded in the US and Kenya mastered and produced by a wide array of producers by far we have to admit this is going to be an interesting journey for Kaz. Her style has completely changed and on a few tracks such as the attached and featured track you can tell her demeanor totally different. I have had the honor of sitting down and spending time with Kaz for a while, overtime you will realize there is a small little fierce rapper yearning to come out and be a part of the Nicki Minaj, Lil Kims, Lauren Hills and so forth. Kaz admires the STL’s and has always felt she can fit right into that genre if given the opportunity. I personally don’t think its a smart move but creatively it seems to allow her to express so much more and cover so much more ground musically – Its like a FEMALE/ Local DRAKE which I applaud.
So in honor of her new style and album approach here is Run Run Run which was produced by Mandugu Digital – Please let us know what you think. Kaz is an artist we support and as such we would highly appreciate all feedback given. We think this journey as risky as it feels its very promising and we are actually loving the single which is getting a lot of airplay in Kenya currently.
Enjoy the track here
listen to Run Run Run here:
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Dela – Ulivyo (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
Wawesh has been acting shiesty with this track for the last few months and I am getting increasingly aggravated… (jokes Wesh, jokes lol). Seriously the first time Chao told me about Dela, she was like yo! you need to check out DELA she is the truth! I slept on it for a while because there wasn’t enough material on her at the time, whats worse is I wasn’t entirely impressed by the live performance clips that were on YouTube and stuff. So I snubbed her as I usually do to artists that don’t impress me on first impulse.
But week over week each one of my soul friends would hit me up with have you heard of DELA, do you have this DELA track, DELA this and DELA that… I admit I was almost DELA’d out. Sue hit me up about 5 times about DELA and shared her album page and I was still unimpressed. But let me say this – from a users/listener who listens to a lot of music and I listen to a song nearly 20 times before I pass judgment – DELA for me was something I just grew to love over time and I cant explain how it happened because it didn’t happen over night. So if someone asked me what do you think about DELA I would say it has a distinctive taste and may not necessarily resonate with your ears at first – but give it time because it will hit you and hit you hard.
Currently am trying to find the AUDIO but I have to post the Video here coz I like Kule And I mean that in a non sexual way. But if I was a chile I would totally be fukuzaing this jama like a tight mathree. I’ve never met Kule personally but we have talked over and over – I must say if this cat had half the resources and exposure US has to offer he would be pretty far. I would put him in the same caliber with people like Denzel and Morris Chesnut in terms of swagger – presentation, media understanding and entertainment. I used to watch his uncut video clips that Chao would upload on Facebook and right away I knew the kid would be a star. Jim Chuchu directed this video, and dude was saying how Kule would play director half the time and dictate where he thinks the shots would work best. Real talk – shit look fly, why lie. So if anyone has the Audio please send it through – although I have a feeling Wawero will sambaza it soon since I have complained.
Thanks in advance.
watch the video here:
HARDSTONE – Beautiful Girl (GetMziki Exclusive Remix***)
Its a slow FRIDAY so I decided to dig into my music vault. I have some interesting music if I was given a whole month just to showcase the music I have collected over time from artists themselves I am sure guys would be shocked. I have music that wasn’t supposed to leave studios. I have songs and beats Musyoka had made about 5 years ago and decided not to sell, I have stuff he has made for fun (for creative purposes). I have stuff that people like P-FUNK make that NO ONE Has ever heard. But the stuff I enjoy the most is the stuff that I have or that i get from artists who just make music for fun to be creative and just to have some fun with music.
To me HARDSTONE was one such artist who just enjoyed making music from the bottom of his heart. I cant seem to find an equivalent to what HARDSTONE did in Kenya to reinvent local ethnic vs pop music with his UHIKI. I know today its a norm to hear Kikuyu on a rather pop beat but I must admit HARDSTONE was the pioneer of this. Just like my friend the late Cool James (Mtoto wa Dandu) was the first guy to put pop over Congolese beats, remix the sound and make it sound so fresh.
Anyway on a slow Friday I would like to share this unreleased (came out in 2007) HARDSTONE beautiful track. Of course some guys may have heard this track because it was officially recorded in 07. However for the masses we have never really posted it on GM and now that I think about it I don’t know why I never have. If I did I apologize but it needs a few spins today. I wish i could understand Kikuyu coz HARDSTONE makes this song sound so sexy yet I am sure the words are just OKAY. I would be dying to see a HARDSTONE and Mike RUAH collabo… Or is that wishful thinking he he he.
listen to beautiful girl:
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Jimmy Gait – Huratete (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
image courtesy of Museke
Gospel sensation Jimmy Gait has been on the uprise for the last 3 years since he released his hot Gospel single in 2008 titled Wakati which was off his debut album Muhathara. Funny enough I had heard wakati but I didn’t think much of it – thats just my personal take. But apparently Nairobi was crazy up in arms for that track (I’ve thrown it here just for the amusement factor and to compare and contrast wakati with this Huratete track).
I’ve been playing Huratete for a few days now, and while its not a new song I think its one of those tracks that will be around for a while because it has a timeless beat. The lyrical content and deliver is up to par (as much as auto tune is in play, or some sort of voice enhancer). I think Jimmy was in the hit Kenyan/ MTV feature film “SHUGA” partly with that other character called Leo (funny enough all jamas called Leo are handsome jamas ha ha ha ha). That Leo guy on SHUGA really sumbuad some chiles as I understand he was the hottie of the documentary. Either way its just nice to always know your nemesis is representing your name clan in good light. Anyway I digress. Here is Jimmy’s hit track.
ps. Does anyone know what HURATETE means?
listen to Huratete here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Bonus Material:
listen to Wakati here:
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Download wakati here:
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JCB, Daz Naledge, Chabba feat Kaz – Tumetoka Mbali (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
Amby (Abrose – Mandugu Digital) dropped this brand new heat from BONGO which features a few heavy weights not really well known but heavy in their right. I dont know much about majority of these artist mostly because they are mainly Bongo Artists from Arusha and Arusha (Tanzania) hasnt really had a lot of exposure in terms of Bongo not until about 5 years ago when NAKO2NAKO soldiers stepped on the scene. Although as Ambrose explains it JCB has been recording since 1997 when he was part of Hardcore Unit (HU).
Abrose (Mandugu Digital) has been busy in Tanzania for a while and I must say I am continuously impressed with the level of work he has brought to the table. This is definitely another banger, which was further blessed by Karen “Kaz” Lucas on the hook and the adlibs. Although I think they over did her part a little when it came to finalizing the track (we could have had less of the singing during the raps and the hooks I think it would have sounded way better). But again its not like am a sound engineer or producer so what do I know.
listen to Tumetoka Mbali here:
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dowload the track here:
DJ Goodies:
Instrumental:
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VOX:
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Track info details:
JCB, DAZ NALEDGE, and CHABBA from WATENGWA FAMILY featuring KAZ LUCAS.
Recorded at Watengwa Records, Arusha.
Produced by Daz Naledge, an up and coming New Kid in production circles. Based in Arusha.
Kantai – Feel Good (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
Someone please send me an updated picture of Chris Kantai… Honestly this is probably one of the few Kenyan artist that I have been unable to track on Facebook, on Twitter, on Myspace – Kantai basically doesn’t exist on the web. PERIOD. It so sad yet I feel like this is one of Kenyas GREATEST artists ever. Actually if you ever asked me which two artists I would like to see battle it out, I would probably put Chris Kantai on one stage and Tim Bamboo on the other. Its that simple, two artists that can flow word for word in both English and Swahili.
If this particular track is not a testament of what KANTAI’s capabilities are then I don’t know what is. I am not sure who produced this track but I think the feel good sound with soft harps and easy kick and snare just adds to the groovy tune. There is a peculiar sound on this track that sounds like a fader being janked up and down as if to insinuate volume fading in and out like the way Techno/Dance tracks play with the sound waves. I cant explain it well maybe we should get a sound engineer to elaborate on my useless feedback. This song sounds like a track Hiram would produce but again I am not sure who put it together – anyone with more information hit us up as usual.
Bottom LINE is even without the POAAAAA!! on the track this shit is just too legit. Chris I keep saying dogg get your head right, you are the BIGGEST hiphop act in Kenya just waiting to happen. I mean Bamboo left so there is no competition he he he its open season homie. // Am not saying there are no other good rappers in Kenya I just think in his category he sits on his own pedestal. //
listen to feel good here:
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DJ – Lenoir : International African Mix Vol 1 (GetMziki Exclusive **)
Creative courtesy of GetMziki
If you’ve lived in the Bay Area (Northern California normally just San Francisco/Oakland area) for a while, then you’ve probably heard or seen DJ Lenoir. I really cant say much about Lenoir as a DJ because I moved to Oakland just when he was kind of winding down his DJ career to focus on other businesses he had. However I can talk about being in the Bay about 5 years ago and going to all these Dancehall parties that he sorta had pioneered around the community with another DJ called TOKS. The first time I met Lenoir I told him, dude you need to make these African Mixtapes, no one was taking advantage of the fact that all these Junguz were loving these Congolese, Angolan, Cote Dvoire songs. Lenoir slept on this for over 4 years to come up with this Street attack that I find not only unique but a massive statement to the potential of African music in the local US communities.
One thing most people don’t know is Oakland/San Francisco is probably one of the most diverse cities to live in. Honestly on any Friday or Saturday night you can go to a club called BAOBAB in San Francisco and the club will be packed with Junguz jumping and puffing to Lingala and Coupe de Cale. Anyway not to bore you with how cool my city is, the reality really is that I strongly believe African Urban and alternative music will take the US scene by storm in the not so near future. Its just a matter of time. African artists and African entertainment industry insiders are slowly but surely getting their shit together – and soon you will be going to a DELA concert in NYC, a SAUTI SOL, a KAYSHA concert… It happens in San Francisco and NYC right now more frequently than not.
So When Lenoir came knocking (a native of Congo DRC) I had to open up the door and open it up wide. Mostly because I respect the work he has put into the community in the past with my boy Louis, and also mostly coz I think he understands African sound slightly better than many other DJs I hang out with. This mix is not about the skill and or versatility. A lot of Kenyan DJs compile mixtapes to showcase their DJ-capabilities. I think there comes a point in time where the Mix should be about the music and about the sound or flow. Lenoir could definitely have done with a little less of the the sound effects (too much dancehall DJying can throw you off Len) but overall I think maybe its just a new style – and possibly a new way to get people here to appreciate all these new eclectic sounds.
And for that I designed his CD cover for fun I started with the version on top and ended up with this one here:
Enjoy the mix below:
ps. If you have sent us a mix in the last few months please send a track list our new policy insists that you furnish a tracklist to make it easy on our users to find tracks through the site. We eventually will link tracks with your tracklist for people who want to download the singles.
Track List:
1.FERRE’S INTRO
2.DROIT CHEMIN – FALLY IPUPA
3.SHAYO BIGIANO – OLU MAINTAIN
4.SUDDENLY – D.BANJ
5.YAHOO.ZE – OLU MAINTAIN
6.G’BONO FELI FELI – D’BANJ & MASTER
7.DO ME – P.SQUARE
8.FALL IN LOVE – D’BANJ
9.NO ONE LIKE YOU-P.SQUARE
10.ZUENA – RADIO & WEASLE
11.BREAD & BUTTER-RADIO
12.YORI YORI-BRACKET
13.NO EASY-P.SQUARE & J MARTIN
14.PUSH IT-BRICK & LACE
15.POLE-SWAHILI NATION
16.UP INNA DANCEHALL-ROCK CITY
17.ZOUK ZOUK-MAGIC SYSTEM & JOCELYN
18.FIONA-KAYSHA
19.JE SAIS QUI ELLE EST- KAYSHA
20.ASSOCIE’-FALLY-IPUPA
listen to International Mix Vol 1 here:
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Alindi feat Pro – Natafuta Chali (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
This track fell on our laps sometime last month but we’ve been waiting for Clemo to furnish us with more information about Alindi and unfortunately we think he’s been too busy. This track is too to let it fry up on our servers especially because we think there is something special about Alindi that Kenya needs right now in the Genge/R&B scene.
What I am particularly excited about is this whole new production style that Clemo has been capturing lately. Putting the samples aside for a while, I think Clemo has opened a new book called African instruments. There is so much culture and sound in his new beats to me I think its just phenomenal. Take this track for example, it almost feels like a chakacha/taarab inspired track. I can almost hear the Kayamba playing a
Clemo churns out another interesting track here. It has the unmistakeable sound of chakacha/taarab infused into it to accompany the genge/kapuka beat.
Hopefully Calif Records will send us most of their new artists profiles soon but for now enjoy the goodness from Clemo’s camp.
listen to Natafuta chali here:
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download the track here:
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K-Lynn feat Hermy B – Not a Flirt
First and foremost this is not a new track, it was released some time last year but we are sort of back tracked with hits that we need to push everything out of the door this week so try and keep up. In accordance so some new processes we are trying out at GetMziki I decided to share the content of these song via one of our partners – BongoCelebrity –
The full copy of this information can be found here:
For many years music making in Tanzania has been “coin” oriented practice. A coin In a sense that it is only two sides that are involved to ensure the material reaches the audience. The artist has to compose, write and get in the booth and sing while correcting herself. The producer has to produce the instruments, record, mix and master. This being done for couple of tracks, one is bound to meet some terrible music along the way. Because, no shoulder could handle such huge burden, without compromising its quality of deliverance.
K’Lynn in her comeback she decided to walk the most feared path by many Tanzanian artists, twice. She decided to use foreign language even though she is aware that she might lose her local fans, but she is up for that because she is now focused to represent our music out of our borders. She broke another rule by letting another person write her idea. Tanzanian artist usually consider singing someone else’s words is a sign of weak artistic skills, but she did not care for as long she makes a good music to bring massive impact.
This track has an urban context, a mixture of hip-hop and R n B, easy to penetrate Europe and America market. All English, with little Swahili to identify her origin. It is about a very pretty woman with a massive sex appeal to the extent it makes every male she looks at, feel like she is flirting (giving sexual signals) with them and this makes his boyfriend very jealous, but it is not her fault it is just her looks.
CREDITS:
Song: Not A Flirt
Artist: K-Lynne Ft. Hermy B
Created By K-Lynne
Written and Composed By Amani Joachim
Additional Background Vocals By: Amani Joachim
Produced, Recorded and Mix 1 By Pancho Latino at B’Hits Studios- Dar es Salaam
Mix 2 and Mastered By Hermy B at B’Hits Studios Dar es Salaam
listen to Not a flirt here:
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Fid Q feat J-Bryant – Danger (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
First and foremost we must apologize for going offline for a few days last week. We over exceeded our traffic capacity and as such the useless hosting company we have decided to take it upon themselves to migrate our services to a better server without really giving us ample notice and or giving us the chance to communicate with our audience.
We don’t expect this to ever happen again so – please sit tight as we consolidate all the music that needs to be pushed out.
Why don’t we start the week off with my man Fareed (Fid Q). This song just dropped last week and its off Fid Q’s upcoming title album called PROPAGANDA. This single is heavy, its sick, it feels like something off a movie soundtrack made in the US. J Bryant kills the hook with sultry echoes and really well composed vocal delivery. I don’t really have much info on J Bryant so for now we will kinda have to wait up for more information to drop.
listen to Danger here:
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download the track here:
Muthoni – Mikono Kwenye Hewa (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
image courtesy of Muthoni the Drama – Reverb Nation
I’ve seen Muthonis album cover all over the web over the last few months to a point I thought she was just a paint brush artists. Trully there wasn’t much to say or nothing to accompany all the dynamic art of her standing over what appeared to be a set of drums. The image looked like this chile in casual clad – pissed off at the world about to knock the F^&k out of somebody. My ignorance didnt allow me to probe further as the image really didnt keep me wanting to find out more.
The sad reality is that I heard this song last year and never connected the song to the artist or to the visual expressions that I had been looking at over time. The sadder fact is that Chao, tried to put me up on game with her capabilities but I just couldn’t connect a drummer as an urban singing soultress – the image just wasn’t coming through. I also wasn’t really into the whole Blankets and wine thing, it felt too cliche’ in terms of promoting local African Urban Soul Sound. However last week DJ Edu – DNA 1Xtra dropped this track, and before I realized it I was like Bloooood klat!!! isnt that .. wait a minute… hot damn that shit is hot and since then Ive been blasting it since. I have been rushaing “Mikono Kwenye Hewa”. Its possibly how the song was introduced back into my ears through a mix, or possibly the whole 2010 entertainment sound is going to be this fast paced beats that sound like Twista on the hook. A recent discussion with the GetMziki DJs last night also revealed that this is the year of the 120 BPMs and above on all hit tracks and I think thats just what this track is to me.
So to Chao for putting me up on game on Muthoni months ago if not years – THANKS. To wawesh for constantly changing the game on the African Music scene. Big ups. To MUTHONI… This music deserves to be heard outside those African WALLS. I honestly believe this is some shit DAVID GUETTA would like to F^&k with – You are truly an inspiration and a star in the making. I guess UK does some good after all ha ha ha!! Ive added some extra material on this post because I feel like I slept on this artists and this song, so enjoy.
ps. Also Muthoni the DRUMMER QUEEN – Hilarious, crazy, innovative, enterprising name – GENIUS total GENIUS
Check out some of the sick album art work here:
Listen to Mikono Kwenye Hewa here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
ps. Thanks to one of our users thanks for the update
Just A Band – Usinibore
I am posting this track because its been on high demand, one of our enthusiast has been asking for the track for almost 3 months now. I apologize I couldn’t immediately post it for reasons beyond my control however today I think its okay to blast this track. There isnt much to add to JAB as far as am concerned everything I could have said has been said already. Just A Band continue doing your thing and making good music. I like this video – its not your average Kenyan music video at all.
Enjoy!
listen to Usinibore here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Bamboo feat Teddy Bear & Chris – Borrow your Mouth
image courtesy of Bamboo Myspace
Our in boxes are full of hot new music and we need to find a way to push these new beats over the next few weeks. So what we will try to do is push all the stuff that came in late December and then even our way through into Jan. Some of the upcoming East African tracks wont be super new but be guaranteed that they were delivered to us recently.
Last week I was criticizing an artists called MANIFEST – I went on and on about how I think this would be the perfect match for BAMBOO. As if to taunt me BAMBOO dropped this track on my laps the same day off his upcoming album which I understand is just FIRE. TIM (aka BAMBOO) spits the first verse of this killer track thats currently taking Kenya by storm already. The delivery is typical BAMBOO, and the collaboration by Chris and Teddy to bless the hook and the following verses just brings the entire track to a climax. Its got that dirty dirty in it and a little of that pop Jay Z gets from Just BLAZE when they add trumpets to their tracks. Actually if you told me Just Blaze produced this track I wouldn’t be surprised.
“Shut up and let me borrow your mouth… // don’t say nothing ”
Enjoy the track here..
listen to Borrow your mouth here:
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Asem – Pigaro (GetMziki Club Version Exclusive ***)
// Note: This is an old post am re-posting it and pushing it up because I just found the MP3 through a rumble of dust. But truth be told I dont care if this song is old – this track is off the chains. One thing you gotta love about African music is that its trully international. People in Ghana bumping to Naija music and Ugandan Music,people in Kenya bumping to South African music, Ethiopian music – yet we all dont speak the same languages. Just AWESOME. I cant hear a word ASEM says in this track but it just feels like a good club dance song. //
I have some tight connections I enjoy with Ghana through my man DJ Julz (Julz Media) who runs Ghanamixtapes.com and other properties as well as Konvict Clothing in Canada. Ever since I hooked up with this cat its like my world has been opened up to a whole new genre of hiphop birthed in Ghana. Ghana has been on this whole African hiphop thing for years, way before East Africa even stood up to take a bow. Its inevitable that a lot of reinvention in African hiphop now is definitely starting from Ghana. Lately ive been tuned to the likes of Kweku Ananse and blasting the likes of Wanlov the Kubolor. I will post these songs and DJ mixes in due time.
However as if to usher my return back to GetMziki – I want to share this track that drives me CRAZY. I mean this dude just makes me wild out. I only have the video for now but you best believe the MP3 is coming up soon. If you guys thought Naija had beats and lyrics for days – please travel down a few more blocks to Ghana coz them cats have heats for days… Just listen to this heat. (considering its not even new)
Dudes Name is Nana Wiafe Asante Mensah aka ASEM and he is one of the hottest young acts in Ghana’s evolving Hiplife industry. He basically came from nowhere to take Ghana by storm. His controversial track, ‘Give Me Blow’ became the most sought after and most transferred/ bluetoothed song among Ghanaian youths when it was unofficially released.
His style is enjoyed by urban youths mostly but his combination of Twi with English lyrics that make him appeal to rural Ghana as well. He is touted as one of the artists to lead the evolution of Hiplife into what has come to be known as GH Rap. This is a fair mix of crunk and other emerging forms of American hiphop with traditional Hiplife.
For now I want to introduce ASEM to the GetMziki family, and caution all DJs – if you aint playing this by now – I don’t know what your SERATO HD is doing without it.
listen to pigaro here:
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download the track here:
M.anifest – Heaven Only Knows (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
image courtesy of Julz Media
My Ghana Connects have come through again with this fire, M.anifest is what I think Bamboo or Kantai would sound like if they stayed focused. Actually let me rephrase that statement before Bamboo kills me. I think M.anifest vs Bamboo would be a solid legit fight. However the consistency demonstrated by Ghana’s M.anifest would suggest he has had a better understanding of his brand and the continent he represents for a long time. Bamboo on the other hand with all due respect I think has struggled with his brand for a long time until recently. Bamboo remains a close friend of mine so whatever I say is not anything we havent talked about to date. Its taken him years to get to where he is today and I blame his lack of consistency. A super talented artist with massive capabilities but just didnt know where he should take his brand and music.
However am glad to say Bamboo seems to have a better idea of where his bread is buttered today and he is killing it right now in the US. A lot of his projects are low key but they bring great income to a man who has definitely given a lot to the African music scene. When I listen to M.anifest I cant help but hear Bamboo all over the track and all over the delivery. The lyrical content of course is different and some would argue that this shit has been done already, but to me Ghana hiphop is almost 5 years ahead of Kenya’s hiphop. Ghanaians have been writing history in African hiphop for years now. To demonstrate how well these cats understand the music industry just look at how they package themselves, how they produce their music and how they distribute it. I mean Manifest Album is up for grabs on his website http://www.manifestmc.com/. Yet he also has a commercial album Manifestations which is available on itunes for purchase. So you have a pre-teaser that your fans can consume for free and then you have your full course meal that the hungry and able can get from the store. Brilliant!
My Ghana connects call me Chale which is an endearment term for Dude or Jama – Chale this track is on fire, if you listen to it without watching the video you wouldn’t think any of these cats is from Africa. Ghana stand up!!
listen to heaven only knows here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Artistes.Ke – This Season (GetMziki Exclusive **)
Its been difficult to figure out how to put these three artists on one collage without really over shadowing the other. Really honestly I have have been sitting on this song for a few days because creatively I was trying to figure out which one of the three will I highlight more than the other in order to bring their vocal qualities forward. You know like a Destiny Child album would have Beyonce somewhere in the middle because she is the lead singer, but with this collabo its been difficult for me to put my finger on that little detail.
I therefore gave up on trying to put anything visual to represent the ARTISTES.KE movement. Artistes.ke is a once of project that comprises Collo (Kleptomaniacs), Sanaipei (formerly of SEMA), and Kanji (Milele). The hook and chorus is being performed by a new artists called Kabi who seems to hold her tones pretty well.
The track was produced by Masha a.k.a Ghost with executive oversight by Zari Media who aptly put this track together specifically for the Holiday season while appropriately titling the track “This Season”. I would assume there is more where this came from because it sets up for a nice Holiday album.
As much as I like this track, the beat seems to have been sampled of Jeremih – Break Up to Make up (watch video here). But its nothing major though people sample all the time, very few sample new music though. Either way – the track is tight. Enjoy
listen to This season here:
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download the track here:
Hardstone – Get Money (GetMziki Exclusive *)
image courtesy of Hardstone Myspace
This is one of those posts that I want to publish and kinda just let it take its own journey as people form opinions and critic the song themselves. Although I am compelled to really say this – and this came after much thought and discussion with a close friend about the direction of this music.
I think mentally and emotionally in our hearts its hard to associate HARDSTONE with anything else other than what he did about 10 to 15 years ago (YES its been that long). Since Uhiki, we sorta have been fixated with what we knew of him and what his music meant to us at the time. I think 10 years later its okay for an artists to go through some form of metamorphosis and change into something different. Especially if he is so detached from the motherland. Living in Cleveland also doesn’t help much because I personally don’t know of a thriving local Kenyan community in Cleveland as with other states in the US. So its safe to say he has been consumed by his environment and has eventually found a local niche where he lives. The mixtape market out there is thriving – it beats having to wait for ATL Thanksgiving to make real money from performances any day.
So to me while I do not really understand the direction of this music, I am compelled to embrace it and accept that an artists has to eventually grow and explore new areas of music. Kanye did it, Jay Z did it, Bamboo did it, even Lil Wayne and Diddy are doing it right now (with their rock and electronic dance albums). So power to thee Hardstone – I am just excited that you are still in the game, although we don’t hear much about you – your Myspace page seems vibrant and full of life.
Enjoy!
listen to Get Money here:
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download the track here:
Yvonne Chaka Chaka – Umqombothi (GetMziki Throwback ***)
I woke up today listening to some really old African Music, I think once in a while you need to get in touch with classic African oldies. I grew up to some interesting array of African music, in fact I particularly want to spend a month next year to digitize some of my Dads Vinyl and audio tapes because listening to Tabu Ley today is too too nostalgic.
However for today I wanted to share one of the biggest songs of our time. Yvonne Chaka Chaka Umqombothi. Looking at Yvonne she always reminds me of Catherine Kasavuli. And the two of them still look hella fine to date. This is one track I know a gang of DJs have been asking me about and have been wanting to get their hands on. Well here goes. Enjoy!
listen to Umqombothi here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Kanji Mbugua – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (GetMziki Xmas Exclusives ***)
image courtesy of Kanji & Kweli
A few years ago when I was still in Kenya I had the honor and pleasure of working with Victor Seii, although I must admit that I enjoyed most of our time partying and exploring Dar es Salaam better than working together. For a short while Victor was based in Dar es Salaam where I was living at the time, we hooked up and just kicked it because we had two things in common in a foreign/different country – Music and Kenya. Victor is one free spirited dude, you can pretty much do whatever with Victor, he likes booze, likes chics and likes cars – the only thing we didn’t agree on was the guffs, mostly because I don’t smoke. Either way it only takes you a few sessions to notice that the man is a small musical genius.
As much as this post is about Kanji, I thought it was important to highlight the creator of this project. This song was part of a Safaricom project that went slightly south a few years ago. Its unfortunate it didn’t get the awareness it deserved because this is probably the only or the best Christmas compilation album from Kenya to date (unless there is something else out there that I am unaware about). Victor assembled a variety of talented vocalist, musicians and singers to put together this eclectic piece of Kenyan history that very few people know about. I’ve had a copy for years now and each December I normally send the singles I like to my friends but this year I think I will share them with the GetMziki community.
Probably the hottest song is this Kanji inspired track that comes with a blend of English and Kyuk. The first time I heard this song, I was like is Kanji twenging in Kyuk? or am I just losing it? LOL. Either way as a Kyuk this song would make me proud because the delivery in both languages just sounded fresh. The actual compilation album has a little bit of everything for everyone, probably more jazzy than Christmas-ish but still overall a classic musical album. I am actually contemplating posting more Christmas spirited and inspired tracks over the next few weeks… what do you think?
For now enjoy this one
listen to God Rest Ye merry Gentlemen here:
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download the track here: