Erica Lulakwa – Close to You (GetMziki Exclusive **)
I am kinda proud to post this song today because Erica just so happens to be a good friend of mine currently based in San Francisco where half of Getmziki lives. First time I met Erica and we talked she told me about her music and all I could reiterate to her was just be yourself. Don’t try to come out with some R&B album it will just backfire. So truthfully I never had the opportunity to sit and sample her music until a few weeks ago when she released her first single off her upcoming debut album.
Honestly I love it, I love the work put into the first production, the time invested and overall the marketing approach. Just watch the quality video and the eye candy they had to fly to Los Angeles to get to fit into the video. I personally think its amazing. This is evidence that when you stick to what you are good at, you definitely will have some room in this huge musical universe. Erica is not new to music and media however, she worked at KISS-FM in Tanzania, Trinity and at TBC (Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation) while pursuing her passion for music on the side. She released a single a few years back titled “Tafakari” and since she’s found her way into the US and currently wrapping up her album.
From this song you can tell she is heavily influenced by the Angelique Kidgoz and has a knack for Zouk sound. For now listen to this relaxed banger and give us your thoughts.
listen and download the song here:
Erica Lulakwa – Close to You by getmziki
watch the video here:
AY feat Lamyia & Romeo – Speak with ya Body (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
So a few months ago AY was in the West Coast touring and we briefly spoke over the phone. He made his trip here seem really modest and humble and soon after he called me from the airport to say goodbye. Its funny I was thinking back about 10yrs ago when artists would get the opportunity to come to the US, many would never go back. Today artists could careless about staying or being in the US. Artists are so comfortable running their careers back home, so much that they can fly to the US to collaborate on a track and then fly back home…
Here is a perfect example of what the future of African Urban Music holds for artists who can nurture strategic relationships with different Western Artists. Now I accept the fact that ROMEO hasn’t had a hit in years but it still doesn’t change the fact that he is not one of the most accessible folks right now. There are other D or C listers you’d have a harder time getting to collaborate on a track or get clearances but I am just fascinated at how AY pulled this off. I am more fascinated at the fact that he stayed true to his Tanzanian roots and killed his verse in SWAHILI.
If you ever got to see the original pictures of this music video shoot, you will have noticed that Megan Good was somewhere on the production set. That’s because Lamyia is Megan goods sister so sis was somewhere around supporting family. The track was produced by Riley from Checkmate and the video done by the Outliers, Directed by Shai and William Tikki.
listen and download the track here:
AY feat Lamyia & Romeo – Speak Wit Ya Body by getmziki
watch the video here:
Professor Jay – Kama Ipo (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
I dont know if I have ever put it out there publicly that I really love Professor Jay, not just as an artist but as a person. For realz I really really love this cat. I can spend hours with this cat on the phone just laughing coz the guy is just an infectiously funny interesting guy, with a lot of knowledge and interesting things to say about life and his experiences. Honestly once you get over his position in the market place and the fact that he is a very successful Bongo Flava artist, once you get him real comfortable to become himself – Joseph Haule is eventually just an interestingly honest calm funny guy.
So the fact that I am all jazzed up about the man is not directly related with the fact that this track is just a hot azz track. Prof collaborated with Fish Crab Cook Out on this banger to deliver what I think is undoubtedly the next sing along track in Tanzania. 41 Records/G Records or Fish Crab Cook Out are on to some next level production right now. I like how these guys just defined a sound that I can readily identify as Tanzanian Bounce.
To be real honest right now I am like a baby in a topless bar, itching to release this track so lets go hard on this one – its a friday, if your a DJ rip this and GO HARD on the crowds tonight. On every part Jay say Kama IPO – KILL the faders and let the crowd learn that life is about ups and downs… But if you got it.. you’ve got it 
Kama Ipo, Ipo tu.
I had to share some of the images I got from the production shoot.
For some reason Jay always likes shooting next to Mkokoteni's ...
Although I do hope all these cars being flossed here are Jay's ha ha ha and not rentals.
Sidenote: Its amazing how a country that has problems with power, water and other major economical problems currently. Has a 3% population that lives way above their means and feels nothing about the rest of the country… It always jazzes me when I look at the inequalities and the disparities between the different communities in Tanzania… Interesting times in that country right now.
listen and download the track here:
Professor Jay – Kama Ipo by getmziki
watch the video here:
Mr Blue – Tila lila (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
Finally what I was waiting for, a song that celebrates nothing but pure alcoholism lol. Seriously when you listen to this song back to back you will realize two main things 1) its very repetitive, 2) he only spits about 4 to 5 bars lol. Okay enough clowning, Mr. Blue or on this video more like Mr. Red has grown up so much, I almost thought his music wouldn’t grow with him at all. Its amazing how he has reshaped his brand to accommodate his old fans (mainly tweens) and his new fans this new age youth that like a lot of western sounding music.
There are various parts of this song that seem like they have been engineered (audio or vocals) and then there are parts that he seems to be raw so I am slightly confused. In a way I could hear T.I.D all over this track especially when he pulls his cords in between the chorus. Either way this is a cool club track I would imagine, its a feel good song with no important message to send forward ha ha ha but please lets remember that KERORO made NONINI’s career in Kenya. So to me it may appear anytime you sing about being drunk or about boozing – then you might have a winner… (pass the courvoisier)
listen and download the track here:
Mr Blue – Tilalila by getmziki
watch the video here:
Mo plus feat JohMakini – Xray (GetMziki Exclusive **)
I got this crazy Tanzania music I need to push out and I apologize to all artists and producers who’ve been waiting for months for me to post their music. Sometimes life happens, that said lets get into this ridiculous sample. Moplus feat JohMakini (who we just posted a few days ago) on this track called X-ray which is actually off an album appropriately titled “baba wa ukoo” Vol 1. It looks like there is an Arusha uprising of producers or maybe this one producer who loves sampling all these East Coast beats. I dont know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, the jury is still out on this one but frankly it makes the music sound a little bit better – but at the same time I feel like originality is being lost.
For what its worth bless this track let me know what you think.
listen to Xray here:
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download the track here:
Mike Tee (Mnyalu) – I love you (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
I am not so sure how I feel about this new Tanzanian sound. Alvin put this together and it was great but the more I listen to this track am kinda confused with the whole Auto tune usage and the new flavored beats. The track will definitely grow on you the more you listen to it but my initial impulse was WTF. Considering I have always been an avid Mike Tee fan.
Mike Tee hails from my hometown (DODOMA) actually where my moms is from so by default I am inclined to support the cat. Mike Tee also known as Mnyalu is one of the few artists who started his career in a church choir, somehow found a way to get into Bongo Flava and he has been killing it ever since.
For now enjoy this brand new single called I love you.
listen to I love you here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Quick Rocka Feat Q-Jay – Bullet
This song is not new but has been riding strong in the streets of Tanzania for a while now. It’s one of them songs I call “street anthems”. My promise to everyone in 2010 was to introduce people to “new artists” that were slowly but surely grinding hard. All I’m gonna say is remember the name, “Quick Rocka”.
Quick Rocka a.k.a MR FAST is an upcoming young rap star from the streets of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Starting his journey at the tender age of 14, Quick Rocka now 19 has stunned many older more mature and established rappers at his school whenever he performed in various talent shows. Accompanied by Chieph, Mo’ and Dau, the boys formed a crew by the name of THE ROCKAZ. They agreed upon an identical name “ROCKA” preceded by their nicknames so as to show their personal identities and uniqueness within the group. The Rockaz released their first single ROCKAZ ANTHEM early 2009. The song was well received and performed well on the local charts and officially marked the the foursome’s arrival into the index of Tanzania’s elite rap artists. Quick Rocka was noticed by MJ Records and signed almost instantly, following an explosive radio interview that impressed the CEO of the record label. Under MJ Records, Quick Rocka is composing a solo album and his first single from that album is BULLET(Courtesy of Manorionline)
Some of his lines on the first verse summarizes who “Quick Rocka” is
“Kwenye hii game nasafisha nakomaa kisanii,
Kama Quick Rocka ndo nawika nani hanisikii, (weeee!)
Kama unaifeel track keep it real,
Play it don’t stop thats the deal,
Kama hunipendi i don’t mind just chil,
Lakini naamini one day utanifeel”
Enjoy!!!
Listen to the Track below:
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Watch the video below:
Chidi Benz feat Ray C – Baby (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
Chidi Benz is probably the hottest Tanzanian artist in the game right now. Actually let me rephrase that – CHIDI IS THE HOTTEST in the game right now as far as GetMziki is concerned. His raspy voice, crazy lyrical flow allow him to pretty much sit in charge of East Africa when it comes to commanding Bongo Flava. I understand he is notoriously known for bad manners and sort of an arrogant demeanor but lets face it, which rapper doesn’t have any arrogant qualities??
I personally like Chidi’s music, its bold its “in your face” its loud – this is probably the first track that I have heard that is probably mellow and has a more laxed mood to it. Alvin sent this track months ago but we slept on it, typically Bongo tracks are posted faster than any other East African tracks. However my man Alvin has been busy and working on getting his A game up. Either way it feels as though we will have a Tanzania week to start the year off because we seem to have gotten a lot of new Bongo music and Taarab so we still need to find a strategy to share all this music.
All in all enjoy this Chidi Benz track featuring another Bad Girl on the hook – Ray C.
listen to Baby here:
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Download the track Below:
watch the video here:
Dj Dona: Sio Swahili Rap Ni Bongo Flava – Part 3
It’s been a while since we’ve showcased some mixes focusing on Tanzania music and the tons of new and classic Bongoflava hits coming from that region. We got tons of new music coming from East Africa and this month we will be showcasing a new mix every couple of weeks.
Some of the songs on this mix are not necessarily new but a couple of songs that are world premiers include the infectious club banger track “Chama Kubwa” by Wanaume TMK and Tip Top, the new exclusive street anthem by Jafari Feat Nazizi – “Saa Zingine” plus the new single by Dully Sykes “Miss TZ”. The mix also has a couple of back in the day classic tracks from Crazy GK and AY which will take bongo fans way back!!!!!!.
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to part 2 of the “Sio Swahili Rap but BongoFlava” series click here for a copy.
Enjoy!!!!!!
Click Below To Listen to the Mix
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Click Below to download (Right Click and Save as)
|Sio Swahili Rap Ni Bongo Flava Part 3|
Tracklisting
1. Intro (Produced By Dj Dona)
2. Wanaume TMK and Tip Top – Chama Kubwa
3. Baby J Feat Chidi Benz – Nitembee Mbele
4. Ali Kiba – Msiniseme
5. Marlaw – Pii Pii
6. J-Mo and Ngwea – Cheza Kwa Step
7. Chidi Benz -Wapi
8. Insp Haroun – Pamba Nyepesi
9. Break
10. TID – Nyota Yako
11. Wanaume TMK Feat Q-Chief – Kazi Ipo
12. MH Temba Feat Q Chilla – Amekoma
13. Noorah Feat Dataz – Mapenzi Sinema
14. AY feat P-Square – Freeze
15. 20 % – Ningekusamehe
16. Wanaume TMk – Dar Mpaka Moro
17. Jafari Feat Nazizi – Saa Zingine
18. Mwana FA Feat A.Y – Habari Ndio Hiyo
19. K-Lynn Feat Squeezer – Crazy Over You
20. Crazy GK – Bila Mademu
Request
21. Ray C – Siangali Nyuma
22. J.I Feat Lil Ghetto – Kidato Kimoja
23. Hussein Machozi – Kaffia Ghetto
24. Matonya Feat Professor Jay – Safari Ya Dunia
25. Z-Anto – Upo Sawa
26. Ali Kiba – Msela
27. Pasha – Ni Soo
28. Fid Q Feat Matonya – Usinikubali
29. Chdi Benz – Sio Nguvu ya Mganga
30. AY – Usijaribu
31. Dully Sykes – Miss T.Z
32. Z-Anto – Sauti YA DJ
33. MH Temba Feat Banana Zoro And QJ – Nimechoka
Q-Chilla feat Ngwea – Naanzaje (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
Lets get back to our regular programming – Last week we were still on the journey to Tanzania, so I didn’t really get to debut all these hot TZ songs we had. So please be patient with us this week as we push all the HOT NEW BONGO tracks that we have been incubating. Having Alvin on the team just creates a bottle neck of tracks that we need to figure out how to publish.
That said – last week I was busy giving praise about how LEMAR is the new star producer in Tanzania. It’s as if P-Funk Majani heard me and quickly put this crazy Q-Chief (now known as Q-Chilla) track thats just off the charts. Its easier for me to talk about production when it comes to Tanzanian music because I honestly don’t know much about the current local acts. However Q-Chief is one person I know and had the pleasure of meeting but I doubt he would remember me. One of my good friends was responsible for putting Q-Chief on the map way back in the day – he produced and wrote “Namtafuta” Chiefs first single which was an instant hit. Today no one really remembers or recalls what Miku did but some of us who were there behind the scenes remember very well.
Either way this is all relative today because the man seems to be able to stand on his own. His vocals are on point his swagger back on track and he is just churning out hits after hit. This track which features Ngwea is just a classic – bless your years to this Bongo Records production.
listen to Naanzaje here:
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download the track here:
watch Q-Chilla interview on making the video:
Sunshine – Imam Abbas feat Nakaaya (GetMziki Exclusive ***)
It’s new music Tuesdays here at GetMziki and as such we have to bless the Net and your ears. First of all we have to apologize for slowing down on the updates, we are still busy trying to figure out this web thing and how to continiously organize the music we have. For now however we have decided that, this wont kill the momentum we had – so stay tuned coz there is a lot of new music dropping this week both from African artists in the US and in Africa.
We also acquired a new contributor and resource, my main man Alvin Ngallo – represents the TZ fam in a big way. He has been behind some major moves over the last 11 months blessing the US with Ali Kiba and currently working on Mantonya US Tour. Alvin has been talking about LEMAR for a long time (a Tanzanian producer) but I have to admit I had been sleeping on this cats work for a long time. However a few posts down the line including this killer collaboration between Imam Abbas and Nakaaya, I can truly say I am now a believer. LEMAR just might be the TRUTH. I still don’t think he beats P-FUNK but currently I strongly think he is providing a strong alternative to the Tanzanian Bongo Flava artists.
This song might as well have been recorded down the street from where I live and work in the US coz you can’t tell that it’s a Bongo Flava track (which goes back to my argument months ago about what actually makes a song Bongo Flava or Genge). Needless to say am feeling it, Nakaaya’s vocals are always on point and she continues to represent TZ in a big way (rumor has it she got married to M1 from Dead Prez am not sure how true that is but we will keep a close eye to that vibe). I have no immediate info on who Imam Abbas is but hopefully Alvin will educate us soon enough… Enjoy the track
listen to sunshine here:
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download the track here:
Ali Kiba – Usiniseme (GetMziki Exclusive)
Its Tuesday and its time for “GetMziki Exclusive New Music Tuesdays”. Ali Kiba who is currently on tour across the US , just recently released the first official single “Usiniseme” on his brand new album “Ali K 4Real”. I got to a chance to listen to the whole album and was really really impressed with the song selection, production quality and overall artistic maturity of Ali Kiba.
This song is already getting massive air play In Tanzania and I believe a video is in the works. This is a club banger that really “speaks” for itself. Shouts outs to Alvin and the whole Ali Kiba US management team. Enjoy!!!!!
Listen to the Track Here:
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Download The Song Here:
watch the video here:
Brand New: Chidi Benz – Chaguo langu (GetMziki Exclusive ****)
I read an email and then an article in last weeks Zuqka magazine that was talking about how one of the Kenyan artist based in the US was dissatisfied with the amount of promotion Kenyan artists based in the US get in East Africa vs the amount of promotion the East African artists get in the US. He cited the problem to be on disgruntled DJ’s and other personalities that didn’t take initiative to support Kenyan artistry in the US.
To me – or let me rephrase… Personally I don’t like that word “SUPPORT”. I believe no one should support anyone. You should buy, listen or play music because its GOOD, period. We don’t maintain this website because we support African artists. We sustain this website based on the basic premise that most of the music we feature here is GOOD music. So I am conflicted by the recent uproar as much as I may agree with him slightly I think his argument was a little far fetched in that I think if you have good music people wont ignore it – PERIOD. I also think that Kenyan/African artists in the US need to focus on their markets – if you are based here, focus on this market, make yourself a star here – then no one in Kenya will ignore you. Thats why i embrace the whole Chava movement/ Vyba/ SkoolFiz and em – because they don’t care what the rest of the world thinks, they just do their thing (and frankly we feature the stuff we think is good). (I mean I don’t think TOD is worried about doing a gig in Kenya anytime soon )
This is by no means a disrespect to the people who are not feeling Kenyan DJs or East African media companies for ignoring their music. This is simply me saying that you can do without them – if you focus on your craft in the US, you can live off this market without even noticing where Kenya is. One of my good friends called Victor Silah is a Kamba who successful flourishes in the American market – http://victorsila.com/. Victor loves Kenya but he understands his music is for a different market and out here he is a star. People like Shu, Knaan, Corneille, Bamboo and em the list is endless…
Having said that, I am inclined to debut this brand spanking new Chidi Benz which is just plain good music. I don’t know Chidi Benz nor do I know who his cousin is – but what I do know is the man just keeps making good music. This track produced by Lemar is a killer track – nice mellow, jazzy – yet still BONGO. My man Rashid “msanii wa kizazi kipya” is just one terrific artist. I strongly believe if you have such an ear for sound, a talent for lyrics and a persona for the masses then there is no stopping you.
Enjoy this KILLER track from Tanzania
listen to chaguo langu here:
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download the track here:
Brand New: CPwaa- Problem (GetMziki Exclusive***)
image courtesy of Swahili Remix
Like Tanzanians like to say – “eeee bwana quality!!!” My man Alvin dropped this heavy track earlier in the week and I was like i’ll listen to it later since I was busy during the week. Funny thing Alvin told me that CPWAA is trying to be the KING OF BONGO CRUNK, so i was like maaaaan great just what we need, another little John or Souldier Boy!
But after I sampled this track last night I knew this cat is onto something. The only problem I have is, I am not sure who to attribute more credit to – the producers (Luche and Marco Chali) or the artist (CPWAA). Coz why lie the track is heavy, the beat is busy -Luche wasnt playing when he went into the studio to package this midwesta/dirtysouth beat. But I assume it wouldnt be heavy if CPwaa didnt bless it with this problem track.
I also have a problem with the ending of the track when Cpwaa breaks into some dancehall or reggae!! Or maybe thats the freshness of the track, either way I am glad Tanzanians are on the uprise. Cpwaa hit this track with auto tune (vocoder) he apprently wants to be the king of Bongo Crunk… at this rate I dont see why we cant start handing him the crown – so far he is running the streets with this problem track.
Enjoy the joint
listen to problem here:
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download the track here:
Updated: You can watch the video here (Thanks to SK and & Don)
Proffesor Jay – Hapo Sawa (GetMziki Special Edition)
One of the few songs we posted when we started building this website was Hapo sawa, I know many people slept on that track because it was fairly new at the time and we had the remix instead of the main track. The original track was produced by Mandugu Digital (Ambrose). I actually think that was one of their first collaborations. To hear the bounce beat on a Tanzanian artists was a little scary, we didnt know what to expect – but today at least one new track coming out of Tanzania is produced by Mandugu.
Needless to say I thought I would post the original song to compare the two versions, both are fairly old but still relevant tracks today.
“ilinifanikiwe nahitaji marafiki, ilinifanikiwe zaidi nahitaji maadui” That line kills me all the time…
listen to hapo sawa here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Hussein Machozi Feat DNA – Full Shangwe (Remix)
To start off this post, I would like to thank everybody who replied on the “Files not found” snafu we had this past week. We appreciate your input!!!!!
We have featured Hussein Machozi on GetMziki before with his song “Kaffia Ghetto”. Ok, I must admit I did’nt expect the comments on that post to exceed 30, but I appreciate everyone who took their time to voice their opinion. On this song, Hussein Machozi enlists DNA from Kenya for a perfect collabo. When artists do remixes, they sometimes sound forced or just spoil the original versions structure. However on this collabo the song final remix version, is a sure banger!!!!!.
I really commend the engineer who did this song’s mixing since, the couple of adlibs of DNA on the song where he goes like “yeah, sawa, twende” holds the listener waiting for DNA’s perfect rap bars where he starts off with “Nikiwa kwenye fani babu full mzuka” and delivers tons of punchlines. Perfect TZ and KE collabo. Enjoy!!!!!
listen to the song here:
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download the song here:
AY- Leo (GetMziki Exclusive)
Pic Courtesy Of Bongo Celebrity
This post comes at the right time since Ambwene Yessaya a.k.a AY is currently on his US tour. He just dropped a new single titled “Leo” that was produced by Hermy B at the B.Hitz Studios in Dar-es-salaam. Word on the streets is that the video which is being edited by Ogopa DJ’s should be available in the next few weeks. On this song, AY went for the the auto tune and the results are really impressive. A comment left on one of the Bongo blogs summarizes the song: “Ebwana big up sana AY, Ngoma imeenda shule ile mbaya”.
I’m really eager to see what people think of this song.
Listen To The Track Here:
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Download the track here:
Nakaaya Feat Jay Dee – Sister Sister
Pic Courtesy of Nakaaya’s Website
I have been wanting to post a few songs for the “ladies and sisters” out there and the Nakaaya Feat Jay Dee single “Sister Sister” makes a perfect start to the posts.
Nakaaya has proved to be a successful outfit in the Bongo Flava arena since featuring in the Tusker Project Fame contest in Nairobi, Kenya, last year and has released a couple of hit singles including “Mr. Politician” and “Matatizo”. The song ‘Mr Politician” was last year one of the songs nominated by MTV nominees for the prestigious listener’s choice award.
On this song , the artists are expressing their depression regarding a guy who double deals them and whose motives they have discovered. After realising that they are sharing the same guy, the two become friends. “Sister sister usinichukie, sister sister usinihukumu. Awapo kwangu anakuponda, akitoka kuja kwako anakusaga?”( Quoted from the Guardian)
Enjoy the track!!!!!!!!
Listen To The Track Here:
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Download the track here
Brand New: Kenrazy feat Kizob – Kicheche
Honestly when DJ Kelz sent me this track from the Jomino camp I was like aight aight here comes some interesting collabo between Razy and Bongo artist Kizob. I really didn’t think much about the track itself I was more interested in who Kizob is… It seems Tanzania is churning out a new artist every month, so to me this collabo sits on the fence simply because I don’t know who Kizob is, but that’s not an excuse.
I think the track is not balanced – am not sure who is carrying the beat better Kenrazy or Kizob, overall I cant see this track living outside this blog. I will be surprised if this song has blown up or if it will blow up to be compared to Tichi standards. Kicheche is a lose lose chile – its Tanzanian slang that has sipped its way into Sheng and ive heard a few people talking about Kicheche here and there. That said though my personal opinion is that this track is still wanting – missing something. I am also concerned about Jomino – the beats sound too similar, the fruits not falling so far from the tree with these signature beats. Can Jomino reinvent himself? Can something different come out of that kitchen? I dont know but i find the whole beat mapping thing too similar in all Jomino tracks.
Either way enjoy the track here:
listen to Kicheche here:
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download the track here:
Brand New: Sheena feat Zanto – Fursa
This is some brand new heat, the quality is too high for audio streaming so you may not enjoy the play option to sample the track. But if you are a DJ, please FEAST on this TRACK its FIRE… FIRE… Trust me this whole Kenya vs BONGO intergration is crazy. I love this track why lie, the kinanda is so infectious. I do apologize that sampling this track will not give you the kind of immediate gratification you get from being able to sample before you download but I think this is one song I give worth a shot. I dont know who SHEENA is but am very familiar with Tanzanian music star ZANTO (who sang Binti Kiziwi).
Enjoy this banger…
listen to Fursa here:
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download the track here:
Brand New: Mr Blue feat Steve – Tabasamu
image courtesy of Museke
Mr Blue has been one of those artists in TZ that climbs and drops the charts based on how chics feel about him at the current time. Truthfully when he first came out with that Mapozi track years ago under G Records (am not sure how old he was, he musta been like 13 or 14) he took Tanzania by storm. The whole LL Cool J phenom the licking of the lips and the swagger, the corn rows – I mean the Kid became an icon, a brand – MR BLUE used to wear Blue all day-every day. He was a well packaged product by default that just worked for the Bongo Flava market.
He dropped a couple big tracks, made some cheddar sold mad albums and then just disappeared a little from the music scene. This is some new fire from him that apparently is taking East Africa as a whole by storm. Am not in Tanzania so I cant really tell what the pulse of the song is in the streets, but from what I can hear this is a killer track and definitely a banger. I guess whats left is for you to sample it for yourself…
listen to tabasamu here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
JI aka J-Inshu Feat Lil Ghetto – Kidato Kimoja
image courtesy of J-Inshu Myspace
You will notice that we did not put a “New Audio” or “Brand New” tag on this song, since its not necessarily a new song. It might be catching on now but its been around for a while. Its one of those songs that has been bubbling for a minute now and finally growing on the “masses”. J,I stands for Juma Issa (stage name also J-Inshu) and Lil Ghetto is his producer. On this song J.I talks about a lady that pretends that she does not remember him yet they went to school together. On the song he laments…
“Unanikumbuka ila tu unaleta ukaidi… mimi ni yule yule tulisoma wote kidato kimoja aa..aa..aa..”
Tanzanians seem to be into the whole singing thing right now and its catching on fast. I think its songs like these that make people like Ali Kiba start to panic… within this fragment of artists are people like Mantonya, Ali Kiba ofcourse, MB Doggy, Z-Anto to name a few… But its going to be interesting to see which one of these artists will dominate 2009. Owe and not forgetting TID who is now out of jail.
listen to kidato kimoja here:
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download the track here:
watch the video here:
Proffesor Jay feat Klepto – Njoo
image courtesy of Musyoka Facebook
Many times we often comment on the artists delivery, the lyrical composition of the songs and probably the skill set and charisma of the artist. We rarely comment about the producers or the production houses. As much as majority of the users on this site are producers and DJ’s its interesting that no particular post has focused on any single producer in terms of delivery, consistency and skillz.
Therefore allow me to indulge this producer on this post, just this one time.
As much as I want to talk about this song – which is on my 2009 ipod favorites playlist (its actually a 2008 hit). I am compelled to talk about Eric Musyoka as a producer who has done many wonderful things. Musyoka has single handedly changed the face of Kenyan hiphop since his inception as a producer. Of course not too many people know that Musyoka was a rapper in his previous life – but i will save his street credibility before some of his material starts surfacing . I am just glad he gave up the Mic for the sound board.
I’ve worked with Musyoka on a few projects and I noticed a few production habits a long the way. His signature teeth grinding and keyboard chunking when he is compiling production tools in the fridge (Sound studio at Homeboyz) keeps you on the edge of your seat through out the entire session. All artists respect this dude, I am yet to meet someone who wasn’t happy with the work he did or the way he treated them. Musyoks came to the US a few months ago to further his skill at NYU (NYC – My mistake I meant to say Musyoka came to NYC) and after he graduated he went back home to manage P-UNIT. I have nothing but a lot of love and respect for the man – but more respect for the music he constantly creates.
My favorite tracks from Musyokas kitchen – are stuck somewhere in that failed SEMA album… Sakalataka being one of them and a few other joints that were slept on were ridiculously sick (there is also some Mr Googz material I heard before dude went secular thats sick). However for now please listen to this East African collaboration from Professor Jay from Tanzania and Klepto (Kenya) – pay attention to the harps and keyboard if you can – then you will understand why Musyoka will always be DR. DRE wa KENYA.
ps. Not that anyone cares but if I was ever to put East African producers into a bucket of people I would like to work on my artists album – this is how that list would look like.
1. Musyoka (Kenya)
2. P-Funk (Tanzania)
3. Ambrose Mandugu Digital (Kenya)
4. Steve Jean (Uganda) (The old Steve Jean..)
5. Masta J (Tanzania)
6. Hiram (Kenya)
listen to Njoo here:
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download the track here:
Brand New: Zanto feat Pingu – Binti Kiziwi
image courtesy of Busara Music
2008 has been a phenomenal year for many Tanzanian artists, it may appear that if you can sing and can hook up with a good producer then this was the year for you to settle scores and put out your hits. We saw many artists change their style from rap to more sing along songs, and r&b type of songs – so it comes as no surprise that you will fall onto artists such as Zanto and other more popular artists like Ali Kiba, Mb Doggy and one my favorites Mantonya.
This track is not necessarily new, its been out for a while – Binti Kiziwi, but its been hitting the East African airwaves more now than ever before. All these Tanzanian soul singers are taking Kenya by storm and it seems like there is no stopping them.
In other News rumor has it that TID is out of jail – // I cant wait to hear what material he will have up his sleeve.
listen to Binti Kiziwi here:
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download the song here:
watch the video here: