Collo – Huduma ya Kwanza (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
I am probably going to be in trouble for posting this song here – but F*&k it this is a CRAZY joint needs to be loved. I had a previous version of the same track but the quality was pathetic so there was no need to post it up here. However when this CDQ landed on my laps – I knew I had to push it regardless of a few minor details here and there.
So here are the facts – Track is produced by ULOPA NGOMA, blessed by the one and only Collo (King wa rap) from Kleptomaniacs. I am still trying to figure out who blessed the hook/vocals coz that cat is off the chains. But honestly this song is FIRE – it doesn’t matter how many ways you dissect it and digest it. This is a banger in more ways than one. Ulopa is on fire – the arrangement of this track sits very well with the crazy new sound coming from the East Coast in the US currently. The drums the beat maps. All so familiar sound, once you add a little genge/sheng and English its just a classic.
I will spare you with my praises please put your headphones on if you are listening to this at work – play it loud. Collo you did it again on this one. Big ups. Big ups to all the cats at Msanii Records also…
listen to Huduma ya Kwanza 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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Bamzi – Mizuka (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
It’s been years since we ever mentioned or heard of this name, its amazing how time flies. Whats more amazing is the fact that over time we stopped associating Bamzigi with Necessary Noize – not taking into consideration that his career was sparked up by that union.
Bamzi also known as Bamzigi (born Harrison Munio Kariba) has been rapping/free-styling for a long time, however its not until Ted Josiah through Audio Vault Studios/Records decided to put him together with Nazizi and Wyre to form Necessary Noize. The group dissolved when Bamzi went to college in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and failed to re-unite when he moved back to Kenya. I figure he had already changed too much to blend in with his former group members. Since then Bamzi hooked up with Gichboy producer/DJ turned entreprenuer whom collectively seem to have churned out some hits inspired by Ambrose (Mandugu Digital) (all of which have bits and pieces of controversy here and there).
Bamzi has been struggling and suffering with addiction – the highs and lows are suggestive of a man really trying to look for himself but often falls short through his drug problem. I personally think the first step towards recovery is to first accept that you have a problem, which in his case has been pretty eminent in the adverse recover institutions he has been to endlessly.
Today I look at a picture of Bamzi and I see his cut off his dreads and seems candid and optimistic towards the future. I listen to the interview he had on Capital FM with Chao and I hear a level of growth and aspiration. I hope this stays. This track is firmly titled Mizuka, which is his attempt at reinventing the sound of Kenyan local music. He did it before with the Bounce, which became Mandugu Digitals ultimate musical/production signature – lets see if he can pull it off with Mizuka which is inspired by the Red Room (CodeRed Recording Studios or what i understand is better known as Red Republik)
I plugged the S (superman) on his image to crown him his will-be title the African Superman… 
Thats been his Mantra for years.
listen to Mizuka here:
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Bonus Material:
Listen to the Capital FM interview with Chao – Bamzi and Madtraxx
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This is an influential story if you have the time and bandwidth please listen, Bamzi talks about his addiction, talks about how he is getting back on track how he has overcome objectives. Deep interview.
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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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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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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:
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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Kantai – Feel Good (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
Someone please send me an updated picture of Chris Kantai… Honestly this is probably one of the few Kenyan artist that I have been unable to track on Facebook, on Twitter, on Myspace – Kantai basically doesn’t exist on the web. PERIOD. It so sad yet I feel like this is one of Kenyas GREATEST artists ever. Actually if you ever asked me which two artists I would like to see battle it out, I would probably put Chris Kantai on one stage and Tim Bamboo on the other. Its that simple, two artists that can flow word for word in both English and Swahili.
If this particular track is not a testament of what KANTAI’s capabilities are then I don’t know what is. I am not sure who produced this track but I think the feel good sound with soft harps and easy kick and snare just adds to the groovy tune. There is a peculiar sound on this track that sounds like a fader being janked up and down as if to insinuate volume fading in and out like the way Techno/Dance tracks play with the sound waves. I cant explain it well maybe we should get a sound engineer to elaborate on my useless feedback. This song sounds like a track Hiram would produce but again I am not sure who put it together – anyone with more information hit us up as usual.
Bottom LINE is even without the POAAAAA!! on the track this shit is just too legit. Chris I keep saying dogg get your head right, you are the BIGGEST hiphop act in Kenya just waiting to happen. I mean Bamboo left so there is no competition he he he its open season homie. // Am not saying there are no other good rappers in Kenya I just think in his category he sits on his own pedestal. //
listen to feel good here:
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Ringtone feat SK Blue – Pamela (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
I just realised very few people actually know how to utilize our homepage. Maybe its us as GetMziki that have failed in terms of designing or customizing the music experience on the first page you see when you visit this site but we often reiterate that any song you cant find on the blog you can find on the main page. We built that page for quick hits that we don’t have time to write stories about.
Anyway that said we have been getting numerous requests for this title track “PAMELA” which is a grand collaboration of SK Blue and Ringtone. The problem is we had posted this song on our homepage weeks ago and it seems a few people hadn’t really noticed it there. PAMELA is a very endearing Gospel song based on a guy reminiscing on the relationship and moments he remembers of this quite church going girl who seems to have lost her way recently. Its a becking call to the young lady that God still has room and space for her and she can wake up to receiving the eternal fruits if only she answers. So through the song SK and Ringtone are simply talking about how Pamela introduced them to God and how she has changed so much now.
I am about to upload a new Mixtape I got from DJ Kaydee – where he dropped this song and a remix to it thats just Fiyaaah. (immediately I get the track list, we are not going to post any more mixtapes with no tracklists). But once I heard this track on that mixtape I figured its time to accept the fact that PAMELA (even if its an old track). Its definitely a BANGER.
listen to Pamela here:
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JuaCali – Miaka (GetMziki Exclusive *****)
We’ve had this track for a while but we weren’t so sure about how to release it until last week when JuaCali sent the video. I think after seeing the video the lyrics and the beats just put the visuals to a complete circle. I want to say a lot about how this track makes me feel and the places it touches in my soul with the content but I wont. Especially because I grew up in Buru Buru phase V, so I can relate to probably 97% of the experiences growing up in Eastlands.
So I wont add any commentary.. Ill let you listen and bless the comments section.
I couldn’t help it listening to the track again i just have to air out my laundry. Growing up in Eastlands has to be one of the best things ever in this world. Most of the folks who grew up in that part of Nairobi will understand the next few statements am about to make. To me I think majority of the Buru, Jeri, Koma, Umo, Marish and so forth neighborhoods are really guys who made a way out of no way. Personally I grew up in an Esto (raunda) that I thought was the shit. I think if I was to add lyrics to JuaCalis song – I would touch on BANO (spider, Krakis no payee’s), I would add on Safo (which normally was around Easter time, like now), I would add tipo (more like brikisho, bantu or whatever the hell that means), I would add TV – how one jama would leave the house and shout “Spiderman ime anzaaaa”. I think when I got older we had this one guys hao we would go to watch porno at (was probably a Kao too ha ha ha). Also when I grew older circuit na mathree was a standard (like when you sit in a mat until the tape finishes ha ha ha). Anyway I just love this song coz it ignites a lot of fond memories.
Leo’s Edit: Miaka Kumi na Nne – Nilikuwa na Feya mzeiya, lakini feya yangu ilikua diambo, ilikuwa inaitwa Chulita – juu iko na blada na chuma. Feya ya wagondi wapyenga. hukuweza kuni zushia .. nilikuwa mrui noma!!! OTERO… Big Ben..
Anyway enjoy this banger…
listen to Miaka here:
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Nonini Feat Lady B – Genge Love (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
Nonini slid us this single a couple of days ago and its about time we blessed it out there. Coming fresh out of being nominated for 5 different categories for the 2010 CHAT Awards that will be held on April 17th, this new single confirms why. His new album ‘The Godfather of Genge” is out right now and from the songs I have heard so far, this album is a must get for any music fan out there.
On this new single, Nonini gets lady B for another hot collabo. If you can remember the two also collabo’d on another great track “Kumbuka” on Nonini’s last album. If anything there is this track “Kila Mmoja” on the new album that features Chege from TMK & Lady B, that is crazy!!!!. He should make that his next single heheh.
This song is a banger and will definitely be a lady favorite. Guys should make sure to take a good listen at the intro lol. Make sure you show your lady some “Genge Love” this weekend.
Go out and support real talent by getting a copy of the album and by voting for him at www.noninimusic.com
Enjoy!!!!!
Listen to the track below:
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JuaCali feat Ksoja – Mabeste Damu (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
JuaCali sent this heat to me today and I couldn’t hold it, I felt fire burning in my hands and I just had to drop it right there and then. Funny thing is I had just seen the video about an hour or two ago and I was like damn this is one sick TRACK. I mean JuaCali is a genius story finished. No more to add no more to edit. I honestly cant talk about this track because there isn’t much to say about it. THE TRACK IS FIRE.
Brand new music from Jua and Ksoja a new artists about to break the market. And from his first verse I can tell yall Calif Records is going to run 2010. For all you Genge FANs here is an EXCLUSIVE. you heard it first and copped it first on GetMziki…
listen to mabeste damu here:
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Ukoo Fulani – Ukoo Collection (GetMziki Exclusives ***)
U.K. Double O – None other that Kenya’s number one underground rap crew. I’ve been saying one day when i get the opportunity and time I would like to write something about all the members, but its difficult because I am not so sure who is who and how they all come together. Their Facebook page rounds up at least 6 main groups of which each contain a certain number of members : K-Shaka, Wenyeji, Wakamba Wawili, MC Kah, Mashifta, G-rongi, Ukoo Flani (MSA:-Nguchi P, Chiznbrain, Alai Kenti, Sharama, P.O.P, Lavosti, FUJO Makelele, Cannibal, R.I.C aka Jinamizi, Labalaa, Dr. Dunga, Richizee, Shaolin aka Grand Mantis.
So it’s safe to say Ukoo Fulani is not really a GROUP of artists its a MOVEMENT. Of course some members shine or stand out more than others but for most part these guys are all talented. They represent their hood in such a big way its fascinating what they have been able to accomplish for DANDORA as a place.
This track is hot off the PRESS and I am feeling it, each verse comes together so well and the beat thats blessing the vocals is off the chains too. Give it a listen and throw in your two cents.
listen to Ukoo collection here:
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P-Unit Feat Nonini – Hapa Kule (GetMziki Exclusive)
I want to take this opportunity from the GetMziki team to wish everyone a festive holiday season and also to thank everyone for all the support in 2009.
We just got this track a couple of days ago and everyone has been busy with family, but it only right to showcase the track before the new year. On this song, I’ll let it breathe for itself since its straight fire!!!!!!. Like the streets say, IKO!!!!!
On this new track, “Hapa Kule” from their debut album “Wagenge Hao”, P-Unit comprising of Bonnie, Frasha and Gabu go hard on the Musyoka beat for a hot track that really perfectly closes out the successful 2009 year for both P-Unit and Nonini. They are a tight team that are always promoting and supporting each other, something you rarely see nowadays. One thing I also love about the group is that they are really humble and down to earth guys who love making timeless music that rarely follows any industry formula. They have also embraced the internet in a positive way (The “Hapa Kule” video debuted online the same day the song was released) and 2010 looks like the year that they show everyone out there that they a force to be reckoned with in the industry and that they are here to stay. The video is also hot!!! making this the next club anthem from the P-Unit camp.
Enjoy his track that is currently heavy on the streets radio and clubs.
Listen to the Track below
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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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Colonel Mustapha feat Avril – Mtaani dot Com (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
image courtesy of Ogopa Facebook
It feels like I am back to posting songs that i really like myself and that i want to hear across GetMziki. Real talk when we started this website we were committed to one thing and one thing only. We promised only to post songs that we thought were HOT. Overtime we got compelled to post songs that other people liked and not necessarily songs that we ourselves felt were particularly good.
Over the last few weeks since I got back into rotation I have been posting songs that I feel are worthy of this site. This is one such song. I’ve been singing this song since i saw the video on Ogopa’s YouTube a while back. I cant lie that I like Colonel Mustapha’s steez and his flows. One thing i admire and respect about Colonel and his partner is that they have stayed true to the Ogopa Brand since its inception. I cant imagine a Deux Vultures with no Ogopa. If this track is anything to go by in terms of Col. Mustapha’s up coming solo project then I have to admit its going to be one promising album.
Avril’s vocals are also up to my standards in terms of delivery, she sings her heart out and plus she is a dyme piece herself. It seems as though Lucas and crew dedicated their next level Ogopa team to some dime pieces, in any case sex and beauty sell – so we cant really disguise the success these new breed is having right now. For what its worth this is a killer track, its been on loop on my ipod for days now. Enjoy it.
listen to Mtaani dot com here:
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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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Slow Ride – Choku (GetMziki Exclusive **)
image courtesy of Maich Blaq
I’ve always been turned on by hoodfiggas – Its never been a secret. There is something hot and sexy about a chile from Eastlands who knows how to katia you in sheng… I don’t know how many people will feel me on this vibe but for what its worth anyone who has ever dated or darted a hoodfigga knows what am talking about. Any chile called Susi, or Joy, or Stella or Aggie!! is definitely a hoodfigga and a ride of its kind. Any chile called CHOKU is definitely a chile I would like to spend a few days with just vibing.
Choku and Rat a tat were both in the Calif Records camp a while back. Its my understanding that they both left and have been pursuing separate careers under different management and different producers. The last Choku track I posted was called Vitu na like, which was produced by the same cat who put this track together – Maich Blaq and the Herbalist. Looking at Maich Blaqs Facebook page and the massive collection of hits I think its safe to say there is some talent brewing behind these duos production skills. Funny enough before this track landed on my laps, I was busy trying to get my hands on a track called data by a new artist called Proff. Today I realize that, that particular track is another Maich Blaq & The Herbalist production.
I am not so sure about this Slow Ride track, Choku’s vocals seem to have been worked on quite a bit. The beat is heavy and definitely tight but I am not sure if I woulda given Choku this beat. I think Choku needs to stay on the “vitu nina like” type of beats. Anything fast paced where she sounds more like she is conversating rather than singing. I personally listen to her material for lyrical content and not necessarily vocal capacities.
listen to slow ride here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Habida – Kesho (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
I’ll be the first guy to admit that i thought Habida was a one hit wonder, which in itself is also contradicting because its not like her first hit track was performed by herself alone. Sunshine was a collaboration between her and Nameless which got many of us fixated on her beauty over vocal talents. I say it over and over again if you are fine, people will tend to overlook your singing. I mean there is a chick I would like to get her number from the Ogopa camp called Marya (I think thats Colonel Mustafa’s Girlfriend) but doesn’t change the fact that I think she is so hot that i really never pay so much attention to the singing ha ha ha lol.
Anyway fortunately there are moments such as today where people prove me wrong coz I think this track proves that Habida can stand her own and justifies the fact that she has been singing for years before the Kenyan scene took notice. I also like the fact that she attempts something that I believe she hasn’t done in a while. Singing in swahili puts her on a level of her own in terms of delivery and expression. I hope the world is ready for her – this is a good debut song into the East African market. Good luck with your journeys
listen to Kesho here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Abbas feat Eppy – Sun Will Shine (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
This is one of the most non-assuming tracks I’ve heard in a long time, although once you start putting Eppy into perspective you realize that he deserves every accolade that will be coming his way. AP or Eppy hails from Uganda and anyone who has been a keen follower of Ugandan Music will immediately realize that majority of their successful artists are dancehall inspired (or what I call lugmaffin – a fusion of luganda and raggamuffin). The top artists from the region, Chameleon, Ragga D, Bebe Cool, just to name a few are all raggamuffin/ dancehall inspired artists. With no exception to Eppy who has been nominated twice for Pearl Africa Awards and has won once. So to me this joint doesnt really come off as a surprise hit coz both artists are ontop of their game.
Doobiez delivers on this track as usual, its interesting to hear his lyrics/rhymes over reggae beats but I must admit I kinda enjoyed that change. Either way without giving too much away I will drop this beat and let y’all digest it.
listen to sun will shine here:
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download the track here:
Nameless – Salari
I really don’t have much to post about Nameless or the song, only that – I thought we had posted this song a long time ago, but it may appear that it doesn’t exist in our database. Today DJ Stevo was trying to find it and he couldn’t locate it – So I figured I might as well upload it just in case we never got around to posting this song.
listen to salari here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Nonini – Kataa Hio (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
Nonini the Godfather of Genge has been working on his Sophomore album for the last few months however according to sources close to him – he hasn’t really been feeling the last few releases. If you recall we debuted KUMBUKA feat Lady Bee and KADHAA on the site a few months ago. I figure he anticipated that any one of these songs would have been bigger than Keroro or any of his previous songs. But to his dismay it seems as though they really haven’t given him the kind of traction he has been anticipating.
Personal note: NOTE TO SELF – to date I still think KERORO was one of Noninis biggest tracks EVER. Musyoka and Nonini in a studio for the first time and Keroro came out. It was so unexpected. Keroro was one of those songs you just have to accept, its vulgarity and audacity made it one of the biggest songs of all time. If i had to do a top all time ten urban tracks in Kenya – my number 2 or 3 would be Keroro.
So knowing Nonini and the perfectionist he is – he decided to drop this single last week to pony up more hype to his much anticipated album. Teaming up with Musyoka again – to see if they can reinvent the chemistry they once had. This Kwaito beat inspired, lyrically compelling track has Nonini reaching for the stars. Personally I don’t know if its bigger than Kumbuka, but thats just my own opinion – I think the day Nonini emailed me and told me about Kumbuka he knew I would never get passed that song including the video lol. But ill let y’all sample this goodness and let me know what you all think.
ps. Nonini how about getting a clean cut of Keroro and the instrumentals Mzeiya. Meanwhile anyone who wants the vocals and instrumentals of Kataa Hio – scream at me.
listen to Kataa hio 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: