I always ask myself if I was an artist, what would I do to reinvent myself, how would I reinvent myself and remain relevant in this ever changing times. Sometimes I think when you look at yourself as a brand you have to stop and start critically analyzing how your moves today will impact your music in like 5 years. Its an interesting paradigm but I think for most part everyone should look at themselves as a BRAND.

Kanja has been reinventing himself slowly if you haven’t noticed, for starters he dropped the “African King” I could be wrong but I think this was a good move. Kill the haughtiness and embrace the new – the music world is about collaboration and strategic partnerships. And this I think Kanja has embraced really well over the last few years. Lastly I think just the sheer fact that he seems to be standing on his own (meaning without Naomi) we are now getting to see who he really is. I think Naomi shadowed a lot of his capabilities and made it difficult for anyone to truly judge his music. It felt like a duo when essentially they were individuals who just collaborated on a few tracks. This new tests are transforming themselves in form of this Banger called Its My Time…

Overall I think the growth I see in him, I wouldn’t be so surprised if he scored a record deal sometime very soon. Right now he is on my number 3 list of the hardest working artists in the Diaspora. Bless my brother, do your thing!

listen and download the track here:

Kanja – Its My Time by getmziki

watch the video here:

A few years ago I used to openly talk shit about Wahu and her talents. It wasnt coz I was mean at the time, I think in being brutally honest you have to confront brutal facts about what you like and what you dont like. My thoughts have been well documented throughout this blog. As recent has her Running Low track that I posted a few years ago, I was still bitching and moaning about her going back to her roots and back to what I think makes her a special artists.

Gladly my opinion doesnt really influence much in Kenya because damn a lot of artists would have been out of the game by now. If you consider Running low, it went to be come a hit record in the country and a slew of other tracks she made. I dont know if I can recant all my sentiments about Wahu today but I can atleast acknowledge that she is not going anywhere, anytime soon with tracks like the one I am posting today. To my defense this is the type of music I often said she should continue to do. Anyway i digress, I love this track, its smooth, its edgy and its a remake of her classic…

listen and download the track here:

watch the video here:

The decision to go international is difficult for any artist, I believe more so for most African artists who have to struggle with the challenge the language barriers. The thing is Westerners are quick to detect accents and as such once they figure that you are not one of their own – they typically zone out and disregard the hits. But somehow I don’t think this is something some of these new diaspora artists have to worry about in the future. On the flip-side some guys will always sound Kenyan – coz listening to this song its every bit Kenyan than any of the Camp Mulla tracks ive been listening to…lol

I’ve been following Vinticqeezy for a while now, the first track we posted was Jiachilie which was back in 2008. I cant explain the amount of growth and maturity I hear on this track and that i have seen with these cats over the years. Jiachilie were hits in their own right blessed by Chava at the time. Fast forward to 2012, Sasabasi drops this hit produced by a Kenyan cat in Houston called Giggz. To me I think this is a sick joint – additional vocals by Abizzy a cat from Sierra Leone and what you have here is a recipe for a good track.

The only thing left here is heavy rotation – and air play. So lets start the blessing from this post.

listen and download the track here:

Vinticqeezy ft Abizzy – Find You by getmziki

Bonus Material:

Download audio file (Vinticqeezy_ft_Abizzy-Find_You-Instrumental.mp3)

Instrumental: Get it

Download audio file (Vinticqeezy_ft_Abizzy-Find_You-acapella.mp3)

Accapella: Get it

There is something dramatic happening in the music industry across the board, some artists are catching a hissy fit because other artists who claim to be rappers are now singing. This phenomenon has been sweeping the world in one form or another and with this track I think Collo is no exception to the rule.

Here is the thing, I think personally most people who dont like rappers who sing, are probably more upset at the fact that they actually sound good. Its not that rappers never sang in the past, its just that it took one damn good rapper to make the singing stand out on his own tracks. DRAKE is a perfect example of this phenomenon.

When I listen to this track, Collo is singing throughout the whole track, essentially this is territory that folks like Nameless, Mr. Lenny used to occupy – its new territory for him but to be honest its FRESH. The track is solid. Production wise Alex Mugenda aka BIG SOUL did enough justice to the track. Additional vocals were blessed by a soulful sexy chile called Ammelina Mwenesi if y’all recall she was one of the TPF (Tusker Project Fame) contestants a while back.

Anyway am happy with artists who want to challenge the NORM.. But Collo lets put this album together its long over due…

listen and download the track here:

Collo – Hodi Hodi by getmziki

“I PAY MY DUES WITHOUT M-PESA”

Shit the chile has flows for days, if Wesh is not involved with her writing all I can say is she will be official in a few years. I know some of y’all thought or think I was giving her undue props. But you have to be able to see the future when you listen to some artists. Some people have it, some just dont have it. This artists just has it. Music runs in the family here its inevitable.

The production is solid, the instrumentation in the track I like – this is the second release from the YOme camp and am loving it. African Hiphop really is blurring the lines between Africa and US. Personally I am glad its happening, its about time we started giving the US a run for their money. Now we only need one artists whose not an AKON or a KNAN. We need one artist who comes from the ground up from Africa and becomes a super star in the US and UK .. Like DRAKE did from Canada into the US. I don’t think folks like DBANJ and 2FACE will deliver on that promise. I think they are good artists but they don’t get hiphop – they get Africa. But when you have artist like YOme, KFORCE, CAMP Mulla and the likes then the border lines a slightly distorted and it creates opportunities for these cats to become really big.

YOme – AFRICA is watching you… big ups and GOOD LUCK.

listen and download the track here:

YOme – Late Hours by YOme

I have this compelling feeling that SEVEN (a good friend and a dynamic media personality in Tanzania) is currently behind AliKibas image. I was watching this interview - and I noticed Ali has a glove on one hand, and the shades through the interview… It just felt like SEVEN has a hand in deciding this mans upcoming look and feel. For what its worth Its working. Looking at the image I updated above you can notice Alikiba is currently putting in work at the gym and the ladies will eat this new image up for breakfast, supper and lunch.

So why talk about the song – when we can talk about Alikibas new image and look? Damn the 2012 US tour will be crazy if this is how he plans to enter the country again.

Okay so lets just talk about the song a little, single boy is a good track. Its not a classic Kiba song as i feel it sounds too much like KAPUKA. If you listen to the beat arrangement and kick and snare – you can hear the bumkapuka! bumkapuka! So to me this is just okay – its a winning formula – play it safe, keep the fans safe and sing about something young ladies want to here.

Watch this interview if you have time, Kiba addresses questions about the music, the lifestyle and his own relationship status…

listen and download the track here:

Alikiba Feat. Lady Jay Dee – Single Boy by getmziki

watch the video here: (ps. this video is just an edit – its not the original video)

There is a lot of good music out this week, some of the songs I will post have been out for a while. So what I Will do is evenly spread the hits that I would like to talk about here and some of the quick hits will be on our homepage. Look out for those updates coz a lot of them will be Bongo Flava.

This is some new heat from AY and Sauti Sol, I love the video more than I like the song. I mean the song is cool – its on point. But the video concept and shooting was classic. Loved every moment of it.

CREDITS:
Artists- AY Featuring Sauti Sol
Song- I DON’T WANNA BE ALONE (SHUKURU)
Produced By- Freddie (Homeboyz Production) & Hermy B ( B HITZ STUDIO)

listen and download the track here:

AY feat Sauti Sol – I dont want to be alone by getmziki

watch the video here:

I am loving the relationship we have inked with Waithaka Ent and Festus. I think the future of our work is going to overwhelm the world and preferably not underwhelm. Ideally we have selected a few artists in our bucket of talent and decided to make these crazy remixes that will be available for your guys real soon.

This particular track is not part of that compilation album but I am so tempted to plug it into that album coz I am overwhelmed. I mean if you compare this with the Original track which we posted here: You will realize that Waithaka has not underwhelmed by any means.

So instead of trying to big up your work as I already know how good you can be. Let me just share this with the music enthusiasts and the DJs to go hard on it.

listen and download the mix here:

Habida feat Cannibal – My Reason (Waithaka Ent Remix) by getmziki

This is a selfish post – obviously I listen to a lot of African/Kenyan Soul music. I think I can actually say I pioneered the word AFROSOUL LOL… am just kidding but truthfully I have supported a lot of young singing artists who wanted to cross over to R&B with an African twist. So its not unusual that I listen to Stan or Didge over and over again.

Today I woke up listening to Stans Debut album – it dropped a while back, Wawesh was behind the entire project and shit was real good back then. I dont know where STAN is today or if he has any new music. But for today, and just for today lets appreciate this cat for what he brought to us back in 2008. Some of these tracks we have posted them here before.

- Rollacoast – Track
- Gachugwa – Track

Otherwise I added a bonus track called She is…

listen to Rolla Costa here:

Download audio file (Stan-Rollercoaster.mp3)

listen to She is here:

Download audio file (Stan-Rollercoaster.mp3)

I am going to make this post really quick and short because today I dont have much time but I need to post a few new songs before end of the week. This is some new MADTRAXX. My honest opinion is that his is a pure MADTRAXX beat and formula. I have said this before, that I think he has found a theme and beat that works and he is running with it.

There is nothing wrong with it, a lot of folks played that formula for a few years before it ran out. These simple catchy tunes seem to keep Kenyans raveled up. It would be interesting to see where he goes with this in a few years time but for now Kenyans seem to love it and are eating it up for super. Personally I would like to challenge Maddie to drop a beat that’s exceptionally awkward and different from the norm.

But then again why change something thats working I mean really!!! LOL KILL EM solftly Maddie. Ita Waiter is guaranteed to be a sure shot with the Watus..

listen and download the track here:

Madtraxx – Ita Waiter by getmziki

Check out the FESTUS remix:

Ita Waiter by Maddtraxx (Festus Productions Remix) by Waithaka Ent

Updated video below:

Speaking of Videos I actually like this video ha ha ha ha .. especially when the guy almost knocks the bottle off the table.. nice move.. ha ha ha good job on the video. When I was watching this video I couldn’t help but think of this music being similar to some Kwaito house TUNES!! ha ha ha .. Anyway let me watch the video again…

I have had this song for a while but to be honest I never got past the first 30 seconds coz it started kinda slow for me. Eventually I got around to listening to the entire beat and surprisingly its not bad at all. Now what tripped me out is that I thought this was a female on the track, turns out this is none other than Anthony Mwangi a.k.a Anto Neousoul whose been humbly making his ground for a few years now.

Anto has been in the studio working with the legendary Chris Adwar, on his debut album. From what I understand his upcoming work will be mainly a fusion of Afro, Reggae and Neo Soul fantasized over some poetry, mission driven music. Frankly I think this version of the Chips Funga remixes or refixes sounds the most appealing now that i think about it.

listen and download the song here:

AntoNeoSoul – Chips Funga by getmziki

watch the promo video here:

I really want to say a lot of what I feel from the production to ultimately the lyrical delivery.. but I am at a loss of words. YOme is onto something she murdered this beat and I bet she will murder many more – at 14 I have to say she is probably the illest youngest female MC in Africa..

Listen!!!

listen and download the track here:

Oh My – YOme by YOme

I must admit out of all the various pictures I have of Calvo, this by far is one of the few I like lol. Mostly coz Kintu (Mista Prime) is in the picture. I can’t deny I miss that cat a lot. There a few people I miss in Kenya, Kintu just happens to be one of the few that I miss hanging out and basically seeing him DJ. But this post is not about Kintu its about Calvo Mistari of Lyricall Assassins.

Immediately I heard this track the first time, I knew I wanted one of our team members to make a remix of this track. So I asked for the 3 set (track, instrumental, vocals). I then sent this to our GetMziki production team – Waithaka & Festus not because anything was missing but because I felt the hook was just too good. The relationship we have enjoyed with Waithaka over the months has allowed us to get a better understanding of what type of work we want to deliver to the market today and as such any beat he gets from us he usually murders it. This one was no exception. (Stay tuned for an upcoming project/a remix of the mixtapes)

The crazy thing here is that the original track which is attached below as track 1 is also a banger, so a few days later after initiating this excersise am conflicted as to which version sounds better and delivers on the kick and snare promise. To make matters worse Festus also jumped on the challenge and put together a crazy remix to the same track…. this post is a festival for DJs so without further due please dig in below:

listen and download the versions here:

Calvo Mistari feat HB & JahMani – Too Fine by getmziki

Every once a year a DJ does something that completely impresses me. Truthfully this year there have been very few mixes that have impressed me (of course there is a mad mix I posted elsewhere that DJ Nyandat put together for all the old skool r&b lovers). It just didnt sit nice when I posted it here so i left it where it is (9mixtapes.com). However DJ DULO sends me his mixes every now and then, so the fact that I am posting this today shouldn’t necessarily be a shocker. However my rare rave review is a shocker so here goes:

I love African Music, I love love Urban African music meaning the Genge, Kapuka, Kwaito, Kuduro and all that new African sound with Western Infusions… I love it all. However there is something unique and untimely about some good ol’classic sounding Zouk or smooth Soukous music/Afropean Soul :-0/ When you listen to this mix, it’s one of those mixtapes you can give your dad or mom and be comfortable with the content and the feel good value. I wish I had a tracklist because there are some bangers on that mix that some DJs could use some schooling on. The set starts so relaxing with some more popular Zouk bangers and picks up pace by such a slight bpm that by the time he gets to the Bongo Flava and Naija music you almost don’t realize that the music tempo had changed.

DULO this mix is on fire and deserves every spin possible. Good stuff. To me its just the first time in a few years I’ve listened to a mix that wasn’t as predictable. Let me share the goodness here..

listen and download the mix here:

DULO|GASM VOL. 7 by DJDULO

Bigpin is up to his old tricks again, here collaborating with Frasha from P-Unit. This song is a classic, however what I think is more classic is this burgeoning initiative that Bernsoft seems to be honing with many artists in Kenya. I am still trying to get the details of the relationship but from what I understand Bernsoft (which historically has been a software development company) has been developing and producing music for a few key artists for the last two years from studio production to post production videos and so forth.

This track and video are no exception to what Bernsoft Entertainment’s slew of talents has been churning out. It’s a rare groove with a simple catchy hook. I like the little harmonies. I actually like the track a lot, and I think Flo blessing the hook brought the different elements together perfectly. The video wasn’t really all that, I think they coulda done better on the video considering you have such a heavy beat… but for what its worth its getting heavy rotation on my ipod.

listen and download the track here:

BigPin feat Frasha – Boss Yangu by getmziki

watch the video here:

When Murfy’s fLaw sent me this track I honestly didnt know where to classify this type of music coming out from Kenya. So I shelved it as I think about the fate of that track. Truthfully am not a fan of DARK music, and not that this is DARK music but its borderline PUNK ROCK, or what they called Alternative ROCK. As an African I didnt know where to put that music in my head so you have to forgive for being too cliche or too grainy.

However a few weeks later after talking to a few pals and seeking some advice, I realize that there is a whole movement in Kenya thats following punk rock or alternative rock (which I totally get are two different things). But when I left Kenya I used to attend 6AM parties – and that for me was like BLAZING ROCK, DANCE, TRANCE – very different than the music you guys are doing. But my sources in Kenya tell me I would be shocked. So I am shocked. Anyone in Kenya reading this please shed some light.

For more information on Murfy’s flaw please check them out here: http://www.facebook.com/flawbymurfy

Listen and download the track here:

Murphys Flaw – In Silence by getmziki

watch the video here:

In Tanzania they have a term they use to let you know life is too short to be stressing over some bullshit. Its a relatively new term (well to some of us) but essentially when a Tanzanian tells you, usikonde bro! it means don’t stress about it. I guess the term spilled over to Kenya because Uskonde is on P-Units album and currently is one of the few tracks I’ve been listening to lately over and over again. Its one of those tracks that helps me stay focused on what I need to do and get by regardless of the bs around me sometimes.

You need some tracks that just help you overlook the small stuff – Usikonde!

Listen and download the track here:

P-Unit – Usikonde by getmziki

watch the video here:

Truthfully I wanted to put all these heavy hitters on an image to show you how heavy this tracks collaboration was but once I realised that there were actual six women on this one track I opted to keep the original singer on the image credits by herself. This track came out around last year same time Nov/Oct however the remix just got re-released and its interestingly different and probably ten times better than the actual track.

Lady Bee is the first lady on Noninis camp – Nonz is putting a lot of work and effort behind her career which undoubtedly seems to be picking up. Pro Habo may have a slew of hard banging artists in a few months at the current rate Nonini has been recruiting people to carry the Pro Habo brand with him.

For now enjoy the banger attached which features Shinde (of Tatuu), Ray C from Tanzania, Reina, Joey (of Capital FM) and Mimmoh. I’ve also added the video to the original song.

listen and download the track here:

Lady Bee feat Shinde, Ray C, Reina, Joey, Mimmoh – Mrembo (remix) by getmziki

watch the video here:

Last weekend during Oktoberfest I met two lovely pretty Naija chics. Its funny how you see Africans in a crowded environment and you can quickly point out each other and get along relatively well. We immediately connected as I mentioned I was headed to San Jose for a Naija party. Surprisingly it was the Nigerian Independence day party to which I bet they were pleased I was headed there.

As I post this track and wish all my Nigerian friends and online visitors a happy Naija Independence day. I cant help but look back and picture the dancefloor when DJ SLIM, dropped this track. This infectious beat and D’banj vocal inspired track has been the genius of their labels viral campaign which started a while back.

Mo’Hits Records have been running a competition that would give a chance to people with talents in dancing, comedy or anything entertaining by recording a video clip of themselves or their group dancing to this Oliver song.

The videos can be uploaded to YouTube and link emailed to oliver@mohitsrecords.com, as I understand the videos will be judged based on how entertaining they are.

The 1st prize is $2500; 2nd prize is $2000; 3rd prize is $1500; 4th prize is $1000; 5th prize is $500. The Top 10 entries will be part of the Official Oliver video and the Top 50 gets a FREE Koko Mobile Handset (D’Banj owns this Network or Phone service).

Funniest thing though is how infectious the entire campaign or track is – I wish I had my camera to capture the Naijas who went buck wild last weekend. I love this .. enjoy.

listen and download the track here:

D’Banj – Oliver Twist by getmziki

Watch the viral video here:

Buy far I would vote for these young’ns

I’ve never done this before, where I receive a track and post in like ten seconds. I often try to be considerate and give the marketing teams due diligence to promote and push the track their own way through media before it hits the diaspora (for most big tracks). However this Wyre TRACK IS FIYAAAH and I am making no apologies for being the first to drop it this week. Basically all these cats were in Kenya last week for some EABL inspired concert that I am getting had some financial drama more than the US economy. I also gather one cool cat is Shaggy – apparently it was raining so much that folks were not sure if the gig was going on…

So Shaggy took a can of water poured in himself so that he can be as wet as the folks in the crowd – I mean how cool or worldly is that. To me that’s a free spirited artist right there.

Now not to take away anything from this banger but I put Gramps and Peets pics up coz Wyre Killed this TRACK (MEANING HE OVER DELIVERED). Clearly homeboy is on something or the other coz I feel like i should take back every negative word I have ever said about Wyre. The delivery, the production and just the energy is off the chains. Wyre bigs up man this is a collabo and a track that will give you some legs you’ll never imagine.

Kama nime sambaza Dancehall DJs wote wa Oakland – Bless

listen and download the track here:

Wyre feat Peetah & Gramps Morgan – Guarantee by getmziki