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:

I am sitting here with my boys watching this video and i realize if I don’t share this video with the world i wont sleep well tonight. In all aspects of hiphop I love this video, if this is the Kenyan version of Cypher then I am definitely interested in the next episode of 16 Bars. This is official, Number NANE crew just killed it… Octopizzo killed it but that cat who freestyled before Octopizzo is the truth!!

I wont talk much please take 3 minutes of your time to watch this talents.

UPDATE: Since we are talking about cyphers, here are two more cyphers :Camp Mulla Presents the 254Low Cypher Volume One and two:

VOLUME 1: Featuring YGB’s Octopizzo, Crew Teflon’s Timmy Tim and Camp Mulla’s Yung Kass

VOLUME 2: Featuring Camp Mulla’s Taio Tripper, B.L.C’s Smooth Poet and MuthaLand’s Babu & Uneek

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

In the current music industry, collabos are key to penetrating some markets and different fan bases. However some collabos seemed forced and it’s not too many collabos that breathe freshness. One of the collabos that I’ve been riding to that breathe’s freshness is “Gentleman” by P-unit Feat Sauti Sol. I can honestly say the pairing on this track works perfectly. P-Unit exhibits an impressively smooth and lyrical flow and delivery, which perfectly merges with the beat. Production on the track was done by producer extradionare Robert Kimanzi aka R Kay who has produced tons of hits for East African Artists.

The first time I heard the track, I knew that “Nipate baby kwenye bar, uliza shorty what u drinking” will be a common line that most guys will soon be using. With this track, P-Unit proves that they can shift gears from working solo to collabos but still maintain a feeling of ownership throughout any project.

Enjoy!!!

Listen to the track below:

Download audio file (P-Unit_feat-SautiSol_GENTLEMAN.mp3)

Click HERE to Download the track (RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE AS)

UPDATED: For everyone asking for the 3 piece, here you go!!!

Click HERE to Download the Instrumental (RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE AS)

Click HERE to Download the Vocals (RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE AS)

watch the video here:

We have featured Syd on getmziki with clande and Uta do. Here is how Syd descried the track when he sent it to us

“My latest single after the song Clande (Mandugu Digital) ….It is a song that is dedicated to all the Single mothers that struggle and sacrifice to give their children the best that they can.From the Ogopa Djs studios, the song features Wyre the Lovechild”

listen and download track here:

Syd Ft Wyre – Guardian Angel by getmziki

Watch the Video below:

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…

Jeraw – mark that name, because i think this guy got it, he seems to have figured out the perfect balance of flow,language and the beats to match he’s style. What do you all think ?

Jeraw – Tujinice by getmziki

I’m in that music zone where I’m really into tracks that showcase lyrical ability and clever wordplay. For one reason or another, I’m not really felling most of the new music coming out. Everyone once in a while for one reason or another, I get into this zone of just bumpin to straight lyrical artists and none of that club music.

In January this year we posted the track “Kibera World Cup” from Octopizzo and named him as one of the artists to watch in 2011. The Getmziki crew is always out there looking for artists on the rise and grinding to perfect their craft. It just reminds me of one of the artists mixtapes I’ve been listening to lately where he says in todays music world you have to be on a “griming” mode. This is where your grinding and timing are consistent. We’ve also been toiling with the idea of doing a “top 10 artist to watch feature” but with all that we have going on, the feature has been pending.

This track is not for everyone out there. If you are into club tracks with the same 100-120BPM dance tracks, then skip the post. However if you are into lyrical artists with great wordplay and punchlines, feast on this one. The first 16′s just did it for me.

“Politicians wanadhani wakibuy Subaru, watawacha Legacy,
Nawengine wako juu ya madawa nikama wamekalia pharmacy,
Wakati mnakunywa chang’aa hao wanakunywa Hennessey”

Listen to the track below:

Download audio file (Octopizzo_OnTop.mp3)

Click HERE to Download the track (RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE AS)

Some quick hits, Kanja has a new track with Kunzo from Nigeria. I have no real opininon on the track right now – since I am barely getting to listen to it, but maybe in a few days I will add on to the post what I think. Initial thoughts are that there is no real verse, too many hooks, too many piga makofis and bounce bounce bounce – not sure how to jam to this. And its okay I guess lol. I mean we cant be serious all the time, maybe sometimes we just need happy music.

I think I am also getting tired of Auto Tune in a sense… Sure T-Pain can do it and get away with it and so can Akon but for most part a lot of these cats have other songs without voice correction. After while folks will just need to hear your voice. I think maybe that’s why I liked that “Shorty say ahh”… Or Maybe I liked that Song coz of Naomi (Man naomi is CAKE waaaa lol).

Anyway listen to the track let us know what you think..

listen and download the track here:

Kanja & Kunzo – Bounce, Bounce, Bounce by getmziki

watch the video here:

I’ve got some quick hits I need to post before the end of the week as we have been really slow in posting hits lately. Bamzzz dropped an interesting track this week which we will start with before we get to the other music. This is just an interesting track – Bamzi seems to be like the kind of artists who is willing to try something different, I like the new musical adventure that he and Wawesh seem to be embarking on.

Bless this track below.

listen to the track here:

Download audio file (Bamzigi-Sitaki.mp3)

download the track here:

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

If you watch TV enough, you know K-letta is the ‘voice’ of Bankika – KCB’s youth banking solution. That alone is a big statement that a local bank is using Hiphop expression to target the youth Market. K-letta has been in the game for a minute, if im not wrong he started off with Calif records then had a stint in the U.K. then returned to Kenya picking right up form where he left.

The following is a new joint from K-letta, listen and give feedback.

K-Letta Kata by getmziki

Dj Edu, needs no introduction really.  We here at GetMziki have been big fans since he went live on bbc 1xtra and probably from before. If you happen to be in Nairobi on the 22nd of October  drop by Carnivore and in the meantime  here is a sneak preview.
DJ EDU XCLUSIVE Mini DNA Mix by Deejay Edu

DJ EDU XCLUSIVE Mini DNA Mix 2 by Deejay Edu

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:

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:

I have had this track for a while from Cartel (Dona loves Cartel so he always sends Cartels tracks). That said I want to post it today because its a fun track which I think the Luo’s will enjoy fully courtesy of Katenga productions. additional vocals on this track by Alfayo the miguel. I cant wait for the video… LOL

listen and download the track here:

Cartel – Another Mad Jaluo by getmziki

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