VOTE FOR KANJA AND NAOMI THIS WEDNESDAY
I will make this post very fast and simple. If you are an avid fan of this website you will notice one key thing, we often or normally never advertise anything on this site. We are very picky and specific on artists, products, services and in most cases events. By virtue of our business model its not part of our social DNA to be involved with too many community out reach programs simply because its so hard to be everywhere and support everyone.
So over the few years we just decided to help/support very few people or initiatives that seem to align with the kinds of mission statements we want to be associated with. Actually with the exception of Kaz, Jamhuri Wear, Serengeti Record Pool, Blackstar Entertainment, Xtreeme Music Video, Decimal Records, Juzl Media and some companies in Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria – we really just keep a low profile and prefer that the hype of the site is solely based on the hard core music lovers as opposed to a PR stunt.
However there are a few exceptions to the rule – such as KANJA. I will spare him the accolades today and the history. For today I need you guys who are in the US market to get your cellies out and vote for Kanja this Wednesday during WILD OUT Wednesdays on 106 and Park. To me this is bigger than what his actual skillz are this is about creating a platform for a lot of the African/Kenyan artists out there. This cat came on TV the first day and straight up claimed he was from Kenya regardless of his history and his residency. To me thats love beyond anything I can explain at this point. 106 and Park commands such a youth market in the US that the general viewership he had on his first show and to actually win that show – I can only imagine the type of attention this Wednesdays show will have.
THATS why we are giving him all we got for this week – no new ziks for at least 4 more days until Wild Out Wednesday is over.
Kanja Good luck – I wish out fans in Kenya could vote coz they are about 10,000 strong now – but rest assured they love and support you. Your humility is adoring keep it up and good luck.
Watch the Take it Video here:
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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Wachera – Msichana Mdogo
I love Dallas, mainly because Wangari, Emma and some other local fools live around that area. Not to mention my man Tom Mwicigi (Uhuru Clothing) lives there. Its amazing Tom’s name has eventually become Uhuru Clothing. I told him it would happen but I guess he knew he was a walking brand – anyway I digress. There is a track from some Dallas chile that I have been meaning to post for weeks but I just keep getting caught up – life happens especially when you are stuck in this Obamaconomy, however am glad I am able to get to it today so here goes.
A few months ago when I heard this song I didn’t think it was all that, I thought it was just okay, I honestly felt like she has a good voice but the beats were too fruity-loops for me and the arrangement could do with some work. My personal opinion was that she has a voice which she needs to tap into and build up on. However I got ruled out by some of the ‘opinionators’ that we have on GetMziki. Personally I think these cats (whom I won’t name) just love Dallas and they got a lot of love for Wachera thats all. Down playing Wachera’s capabilities as an artist would be wrong because she’ been singing for few years but never really took it very seriously. Infact the lead vocals on Daddy V’s track are blessed by her cords. If you have listened to the infectious Daddy V tune – Nare and Julietta (if you guys recall these tracks the catchy hooks are what generally made these songs) then you’ve heard her. I just personally think that is she focused on singing and got some good ass producers she could be flawless.
Anyway Wachera is a sweet heart her emails and communication were just heart felt, I couldn’t help but post this track here. Give it a listen and let me know what you think –
listen to Msichana Mdogo:
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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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download the track here:
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.
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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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
Deux Vultures – Mfupi (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
Am getting into the habit of making small comments for big songs. This is one such song that doesn’t deserve so much hoopla and accolades from me. This is a TIGHT song period from Deux Vultures. I gotta admit I have been a Vultures fan for years, every time they go into the studio with OGOPA DJ’s something sweet comes off that synergy.
I like hilarious songs such as this one – the whole idea that a couple of short people gave birth to a tall baby that needs explanation is just hilarious. Coz it reminds me of mchongoano days – sitting by the “Shop ya Mkamba” chongoaing each other – this probably was a serios bomu between one of these dudes that they decided to make into a song. Either way this is a classic hit – its a feel good song, has no particular relevance in life but the sheer fact that it makes you smile and want to move your body is awesome. These are the types of songs that make Deux Vultures great entertainers. Big up Mustapha and Nasty Thomas… Mambo makubwa haya.
listen to Mfupi here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
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:
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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Harry Kimani – Away in a Manger (GetMziki Xmas Exclusive ***)
image courtesy of Harry Kimani Facebook page
In continuing with the spirit of Christmas and finding a good fit for all these Xmas exclusives tracks that we have. I’ve decided to post this exclusive Harry Kimani track that very few people have heard. This is also off the same Victor Seii project (am telling you that album was the shit). I think the thing i enjoyed the most about this album was the fact that the tunes had a little bit of everything for everyone. However mostly its the integration of Swahili, Kikuyu and English that I found really enlightening.
Take this track for instance – although I cant understand Kyuk you must admit Harry delivers the vocal piece pretty well. Victor Seii’s production just blends in with everything else to bring a work of art titled “away in a manger”. Enough said about this track enjoy it here
listen to Away in a Manger here:
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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:
Just A Band – BoogieDeeBweet (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
It’s been kinda hard to ignore JAB (Just A Band) lately because everywhere I turn, everywhere I look, everywhere I get my information on local (US) independent music, JAB just seems to be there. I dont think many people understand how much a big of a deal it is to be on websites like WeAreHunted or Hypem.
Lets take WeAreHunted for instance (a website I check every week to find out what are the emerging songs in the world). WeAreHunted “hunts” the web by crawling and searching blogs, social networks, message boards, forums and other resources applying complex alogarithms to figure out what the emerging trending topics or songs are in the world. So consider the type of hype Just A Band has to have in order to get on the top 99 songs people across the world are talking about in one way or another. Hypem is another totally different beast but one way or the other JAB seems to have made in on both websites over the last few weeks.
As a music connoisseur who frequents these websites I honestly can’t begin to tell y’all how big this is for any African artists to be on either of these two sites. Consider this, JAB was so big that when they debuted on WeAreHunted, the folks at WAH didn’t even have an image to go with the group or band. They actually boo booed and put up some junguz as though they were JAB. It appeared as though JAB’s music moves faster than their own PR and hype lol. That said I feel its important that i grace the GetMziki audience with this crazy house beat thats currently buzzin on hypem – Check here:
Honestly I feel like JAB is about to become one of the greatest, unique sounds to have come out of Kenya. Trully these guys have changed and reinvented music in East Africa. Bless your souls. JAB for life.
listen to BoogieDeeBweet here:
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download the track here:
Just A Band – HAHE (GetMziki Exclusive ****) – A Musyoka Exclusive –
image courtesy of Just-A-Band Facebook// modified by GetMziki
A few months ago I was involved in discussions with Musyoka and some producers in Kenya to develop an album for GetMziki that would be pure Genge/Kapuka Dance. We are still in preliminary discussions as of today. The vision we have at GetMziki is that the next big artists to break the market will be a mixture of Dance and Genge. We strongly believe that if we could un-kapuka or un-genge all these hits and add some dance or some fast paced music we might be onto something eclectic.
Now JAB (Just-A-Band) has been doing their thing for a few years now, but they haven’t been rapping on their beats. I adore and love this group – their music, their style, their artwork, their videos – everything about them is just fresh and original. They essentially have reinvented Kenyan Urban Music and we love them for that. But JAB doesnt rap (well according to me). Imagine if we could put DNA or JuaCali on one of the JAB beats, imagine if that beat was so sick.. imagine if that beat was produced by someone as talented as Musyoka…
Well..
I think Musyoka, as if to show me that he heard me on my first initial emails – laced up JAB with this crazy track. And on the flip side JAB as if they heard me – are proving to me that they too can flow, its just not about the singing. This track is fresh, this track is HOT. This track makes me feel good about being an Urban music activist in the US and telling all these US producers to check out the site. Mad props to everyone involved in putting this together. JAB’s album drops this weekend (17th October) and you can check their website for more local information – Just-A-Band. However I am just overwhelmed today with the tracks composition. Give it a few spins, even if you don’t like DANCE I am sure you will appreciate the flow.
listen to hahe here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here: