MOG feat MR. SEED – PAPA GOD OH (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
I am sitting here reviewing all the new songs that have come in over the last 3 months knowing darn well that I have fallen off slightly from posting all these new hits. I ask myself whats the best song out of all these 45 to 50 hits you are sampling right now. Its so hard to pick one out of the pack, for whatever reason I keep going back to this MOG song which to my understanding is a club banger in Kenya right now.
I am however so conflicted I am not sure if I should be excited that GOSPEL music has taken new form and shape in Kenya? I am not sure if I should be concerned that people dance and drink listening to GOSPEL music, or more importantly that this new sound in Kenya is a complete REPLICA of NAIJA music? Which should I be more concerned about? Am not sure yet – for now I know this is a banger and a complete rip off the P-SQUARE play book. I wonder how Nigerians are receiving these tracks? There is nothing wrong with copping someone else style, I think this happens all the time in the music world and in the business world. There are so many people trying to get into the whole social networking game or he music game – regardless of territory occupation.
My biggest challenge however is to see how many people are willing to explore the unchartered territory. The areas that people dare not go – If you look at Kanye, Just Blaze and the likes they explore some unchartered territory, the Neptunes created sounds that people didn’t think existed and made them fun and funky. Those are the types of questions I always have. It seems copping style is cool but often is an easy way out to get people to love your music – JUST MY TWO CENTS.
That said – this is a banger. PERIOD. While I listened to this track I was reading some Steadmans report and trying to compile some information for a client, and I realized based on what Kenyan Marketers think that GOSPEL is number two in the Youth’s (18 to 35) mind in Kenya. These are interesting stats, the report didn’t say Faith or religion, it said Gospel (Music) is one of the top 3 things that most Kenyan youth are interested in. Anyway overall these are interesting times in Kenya I presume – if I was a marketer and I want to promote my Beer Brand would I sponsor a Gospel concert? Would MOG take the money? Would EABL actually sponsor – better yet do they sponsor and support GOSPEL concerts?
I was kind enough to share this slide – see below and enjoy the music below below..
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M.O.G – Wedding Day
We really got this track a while back, and haven’t really had an opportunity to post it until now.
Men Of God (M.O.G) are one of the top gospel groups in Kenya and I believe thier album “Someday” is in stores now. Having being nominated for the Groove Awards as well as the popular Chaguo La Teeniez Awards, M.O.G is really setting various trends in the Kenyan musical scene.
Some of my favorite tracks from the group include “Zing Zing”, “Tempted”, The “Tempted” remix with Issac Blackman and the club banger “Let him go”. I know some people are still on the sidelines regarding Gospel music being played in the clubs, but I’m sure everybody has grooved to some Gospel song at one time or another. Good music is good music!!!
On “Wedding Day” M.O.G take the wedding concept and create a perfect, non-forced and unique wedding song. There are tons of wedding songs floting around, but M.O.G’s take on it, was brilliantly executed and unique. This song will definitely be given tons of spins in weddings across Africa in the next coming years. This track also does wonders in the clubs!!!!!
Enjoy!!!!
Listen to the track below:
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GetMziki Faceoff – Daddy Owen vs Kajairo (Katiba Soundtracks ****)
We have so much music to get put this month and I cant seem to find a good way to publish all these tracks, so forgive me if I stack up songs against each other. Forgive me if I post songs that are slightly old because they were sent to us a long time ago when they were relevant (like these two joints). Forgive me if I post 4 or more song collectively… I just need to find a way to process this back log and I cant think of a better way to do it at this point.
Here are two songs that came out during the Draft constitution voting sessions. The BEATS and the production is the same but the spitting is different on each track. One track is by Kajairo, the other is by Daddy Owen… Its obvious to me that Daddy OWEN was the intended recipient of this track and possibly the original writer/singer. However putting both songs on the same panel – which one seems more compelling?
Give them a listen.
listen to Katiba here
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listen to Tobina here:
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Daddy Owen feat Nyuki Ndogo, Dunco – Yesu Alisema
image courtesy of Kenyan Gospel
We would like to apologize for not posting this song any sooner, Yesu alisema was a huge hit last year and somewhere in between System ya kapungala and the numerous gospel music we receive daily we sorta just forgot to post this track. It goes without saying how highly we regard Daddy Owens track and capabilities. As much as this song is a collaboration of sorts from other equally talented artists we think Daddy Owen undoubtedly carries this song to great heights.
The whole kapungala sound / fusion of kapuka and lingala seems to be somethings integrating really well in the Kenyan Gospel scene. Its interesting to create new genres within already existing genre’s and make them sound funkier than the original versions. however as much as we embrace this diversity, its a fine line to walk on especially when you take into consideration that the same gospel cats are now trying to create a new version of coupe de cale in Kenya. Thats our hmmmm moment. We will just have to wait and see what happens. However for now – enjoy this relatively old track that deserved to be here last year. We apologize to any of our fans who have requested on end for us to post this track. here it is.
listen to Yesu Alisema here:
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Angela Chibalonza – Ebenezer (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
Early today June sent me this song which I didn’t really know how to react to especially coming from June. Anyone who knows June, will know how deep rooted she is in her Kaleo roots, her and Daisy just crack me up on a day to day basis with how dramatically shady they can get when it comes to advocating for their roots and cultural background. I love them both like my sisters – so I accepted the song with a grain of salt.
Surprisingly its a good song for a lose Monday and I think its worth sharing with the GetMziki enthusiast. Angela Chibalonza Muliri for many who don’t know her was a Kenyan based Gospel sensation who originally was from Congo. She accomplished a lot in her short lived life leaving behind 4 kids, a husband and a wealth of music and love. Its amazing when you think about it because she died about 3years ago on a nasty road accident but surprisingly the music still lives on and finds its ways through the interweb.
So for today for most of you Gospel fans – enjoy this soft sensational track (I think she had a very good voice)
listen to Ebenezer here:
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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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Bonus Material:
listen to Wakati 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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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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Nosa – Always Pray For You (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
Image courtesy of NotjustOk
While Gospel was taking over Kenya, in another part of Africa – GOSPEL was being reinvented by this man here called Nosa (Full names Nosa Omoregie). You’ve got to love Naija R&B coz it brings a bunch of elements to the table. Although to me I think its just the Pidgin English that makes Naija music so sweet. Nosa is actually from Benin City and has been making music for a while now, although not until this track came out did he actually start getting heavy rotation.
My Naija connex tell me “Always Pray For You” is currently the song of the week in Benin City and part of Lagos. Truth of the matter this is the first Nigerian Gospel song I’ve heard especially in Pidgin English. Its crazy – I cant lie, I’ve played it over and over again. Everything about this track just came into place – the production, the composition, the sound, the lyrical content and more importantly the vocal delivery. Nosa just has a beautiful voice… He reminds
Listen to Always Pray For You here:
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M.O.G – Let Him Go
I’ve been away for a couple of weeks now visiting the motherland and got to do a couple of shows at home thus getting to know the “hits” driving the streets, radio and clubs crazy. In the next few days I’m going to post songs that are driving the streets crazy in East Africa now hands down!!!. The songs might not necessarily be new but they definitely deserve a spot on GetMziki.
I won’t lie, but the first post I thought I would hit the readers up with is the song “Wi Mutheru” that Leo just posted up the other day ( Its one of the the biggest gospel song in Kenya sahii hands down lol)
The first song that is driving the streets crazy is ‘Let Him Go” by the Kenyan group “Men of God” or M.O.G comprising of Paul “Boss” Onyango, Tony Mburu, and Kennedy “Ken-T” Kiman who won the award for group of the year in the 2009 Groove awards. We’ve had this discussion so many times about Gospel music and its presence in the clubs but like I’ve always insisted good music is good music regardless. Those who know about this track know how big it is and its impact in the clubs and radio.
Listen to “Let him go” and keep the comments coming !!!!!
Listen to the song below:
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Allan Aaron – Wi Mutheru
Akorino gospel artists Allan Aaron has been making headway since June/July which is when I received this song. However I had no info on the artist, the origin of the song or even what it stood for so it made it difficult to post it up. The video just dropped on youtube (someone just uploaded it) so I figured why not sambaza the song.
Meanwhile DJ Dona who is still in Kenya enjoying has been bugging me out about this being the biggest Gospel song in Kenya (I dont know, thats what he claims lol). I am just glad that the Akorinos actually have a musical representative thats gone against the grain (more mainstream) and is getting acknowledged for that. Gospel music is currently the next big thing in Kenya – we have over talked that emergence here over and over so no need to get into that anymore.
However this video here just cracks me up, because you figure my image of the Mukorinos (as I used to call them), is these guys running up and down the city – spreading their gospel while stopping cars and stuff. Although I am made to understand that there is a different between the Akorinos and the Israeli.. Apparently the Israeli are the ones who go jogging down the streets with drums and dressed in white. I am not sure its been a while since ive experience either or the two.
Either way – many Kikuyu Kenyans will probably enjoy this track..
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Chit Chat – I la la like It (GetMziki Exclusive **)
image courtesy of Chit chat Facebook (Kijiji Records)
So one of our main contributors DJ Dona has been in Kenya for a few weeks visiting family and friends. The one thing he has told me is that Gospel music is BIG in Kenya – in a BIG way. Actually the two things he told me were Gospel and Facebook are the two most growing trends in the community right now. All this is music to my ears because I am a very conflicted soul when it comes to Social media in East Africa and Gospel music penetration amongst the youth.
I’ll focus on Gospel penetration here because this post is about music and not really social media. I’ve known Kanji for a while since he was in California – US, where Milele was his life and his life was Milele – so to me thats one person that dedicated his life to ensuring people heard the word of God through music. I am just worried about the fifteen other people getting into this industry to make money, to get famous and more importantly to spread the word wrongly (not that I think there is a right or wrong way). I am one of those guys who used to cringe when I’d hear kuna dawa in a club – because I could see guys holding booze and langas on hand and singing “yesu ndio damu” that just didnt sit right with me.
Right now you have all this hiphopcentric songs that are crossing over to the main stream market and really causing a rift in my reasoning and clouding my judgment about the future of Gospel music in Kenya. Maybe am just old school. I mean sure enough there are hiphop Gospel tracks all over the world – but honestly I don’t know when the last time I heard Kirk Franklin at a local pub/club in the US was… sijui. Anyway thats food for thought
Chit Chat is a conglomerate of the heavy weights, it comprises Astar, Rigga, Juliani and Michelle, as well as rapper Bupe and singers Dee and Ciiru (with Groove award winner Blackman serving as producer/band leader). All these artists are over accomplished Gospel singers so the teaming up just seems to make them unstoppable. Chit Chat hopes to spark conversation, they hope to continue engaging with the people through their music, talking about day to day life happenings and how Gospel can influence the value systems in the community.
I truthfully have no opinion about this track, apart from the fact that Tim Rimbui (Innovator) put it together with Kanji. The style of the music has definitely changed but I guess I just have to get used to the NEWNESS and to the CHANGE.
listen to I la la like it here:
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Brand New: Juliani – Something More (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
image courtesy of Kenyan Gospel.com
Musyoka has been hard at work lately considering his Shop – Decimal Media has quite abit of talent to work on, Musyoka produces for the whose who market in Kenya. Nikki, PUnit, Nameless, Klear Kut, Peter Miles, Ukoo Fulani the list would be too long to publish here. However he also works on exclusive deals such as this one – to my understanding he is working on Julianis album titled – Mtaa Mentality.
This track is the single off that album, although there have been other tracks flying around the airwaves and the internet. This here is the exclusive never heard before and only available (well for now – on GetMziki, which is why we put the Exclusive next to the track and our star rating system). Truthfully the first week I got the track I had to put it on heavy rotation and then let it chill for a few days. The reason I did this is to better understand where this GOSPEL music is going. I am increasingly getting disturbed. Its either I am having a hard time embracing this new genre or I am having a harder time accepting the fact that Gospel music can be funky.
Gospel music in Kenya to me seems to be a fad, I personally think its something new, something that seems to be generating some traction and revenue for a few people and therefore means many people can capitalize on this market. Honestly Ive never recieved or heard so much music in my life – Over the last 8 months I cant even remember the artists names. I mean just take a quick glance at Kenyan Gospel – http://www.kenyangospel.com/. And tell me what you think.
Anyway let me relax – This track is fire… Musyoka as usual doesn’t disappoint, but am so conflicted will I listen to this track in a club, with a heineken in my hand??? you know I compare these artists to the Kirk Franklin’s of the US… Although personally I adore and listen to the Marvin Sapp’s of this world, Marvin’s album is on heavy rotation on my ipod – but see Marvin Sapp is not anything you listen to and want to dance, its music you listen to and want to go to church… maybe am just a conflicted soul – 
Enjoy the track here
This is Juliani’s New single…. ka exclusive! its in his new album – mtaa mentality.
listen to something more here:
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Brand New Gospel Mix : DJ Mista Trixx – Bring Down the House
The last few months have been rather interesting, we have received more Gospel music than ever before in the history of our existence. There are a few possible reasons for this, either Gospel music in Kenya is on the uprise, or Gospel music in Kenya has changed its format and is now inclusive of many other styles and rhythms. I would really like to have a lengthy conversation with R-Kay and Kanji right about now.
That said one of my favorite tracks is a song called “Nime pendwa na Fundi wa Mbao” – which sadly doesnt feature on this mix, but DJ Dona slapped it on one of his old mixes.
As a company GetMziki has been contemplating and struggling internally to figure out where to classify these new tracks coming in from Kenya. A few months ago publishing one track from Chizi, or from Neema wasn’t a big deal – but we are talking about 50 to 100 new songs in less than 5 months. So you can imagine we have a real problem on our hands in terms of classifying this genre and group of artists. Because this music doesn’t really sound like your generic Gospel music – when you listen to half these songs you might as well be listening to Nonini, or JuaCali its only that the lyrical content is different.
So when Trixx sent me this mix today I was excited, at least someone was brave enough to compile a Gospel mix to help me table this dilemma. Am always looking forward to DJ Mista Trixx work – this is one mix thats completely different in terms of lyrical content. But in terms of BPM’s, tempo and production its just another Genge Mix Am sorry but its the truth.
Either way you guys enjoy some Gospel – Get to go to church on GetMziki for a day or so – but lets talk about where and how we can classify these new sounds.
TrackList:
1. Not a Joke(Boda Boda Remix)- Holy Dave
2. Not a Joke- Holy Dave
3. Butu na Moyi- Makoma
4. Wi Afi Giddem- Gospel Fathers
5. Wi Afi Giddem(Haijalishi Remix)- Gospel Fathers
6. Haijalishi- Daddy Owen ft Mr. Googz
7. Fagia(Cinderella Remix)- Holy Batalion
8. Fagia- Holy Batalion
9. Knees and Toes- Sita
10. Upendo la Ajabu- Holy Batalion
11. Hekalu Lako- Wao
12. Nimeokoka remix- Votaries
13. Tumsifu Bwana- Rufftone and Po-Q-Pine
14. Nisaidie Bwana- Davie
15. Nampenda Bwana- JOGG-C
16. Usichoke- Henrie Mutuku and Rufftone
17. Wacha(Banjuka Remix)- SK Blue
18. Wacha- SK Blue
19. Sina Madeni- Gospel Fathers
20. Sina Madeni(Ngeli ya Genge remix)- Gospel fathers
21. Amka Kumekucha- Daddy Owen ft Grace
22. Nakuona- Zaidi ya Mziki
23. Shillingi Ya Kenya- Daddy Owen
24. Kiboko Yao- Robert Kamanzi
25. Bonus Track- Bring Down
listen to the mix here:
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