#TBT01: Ngoma za Ma3
The 2’s and 3’s: Power Groups from a Golden Era in Kenyan Music
In the interest of full disclosure, I mainly listen to, write about and proactively collect underground dance music — house, techno, minimal, ambient etc. However, I have always loved the music I grew up listening to, hitting on girls with and dancing to at primary school parties.
After posting an update 3 weeks ago about the music coming out of Kenya at the moment, I was astounded by how many seemed to resonate with my opinion. A lot of current music that fits my description has been sent to me and I’m still going through it. However, the music I shall write about in this column, was made mainly in the early 2000s: kindergarten for the really young, primary or high school years for me and university for the really old (jk). The artistes that made it were unafraid to mix English, Swahili and Sheng’ in remarkably creative ways. They even spoke of materialism, reckless promiscuity and living with HIV in the same breath.
For this first post, I shall highlight the contributions of duos and trios to this almost-forgotten era of Kenyan music. A heartwarming walk down memory lane:
- Longombas
Congolese duo Christian and Lovy Longomba once called Nairobi home and was evidently blessed with the prowess of a long line of musicians. Their music and characters were a rich mix of charisma, choreography and charm. Sometimes I wish I was more unruly as a teen so I could sneak into one of their shows. My pick from their extensive lot is the infectious Chukua (Swahili for take). Try your hand at the choreography, if you dare ;)
2. Kleptomaniax
Members: Roba (Robert Manyasa), Collo (Collins Majale) and Nyashinski (Nyamari Ongegu) who is BACK
From tracks laden with bars to groovy sing-alongs that had your girlfriend ditching you to go and throw her undergarments at them, this was a fearsome threesome. My choice of track — Haree — was inspired by the witty, playboy side of the group:
Nyama kwa sahani
Okota ka-honey
M-peleke gizani
Mwambie wamtamani
Vipi hadharani!
(translation would really drain the lyrics of their essence so I’ll hold off on that)
This track has always been a favourite of mine and is a true club anthem:
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Have some #TBT artistes you’d love to see featured here? Tweet me, comment here or shoot an email to mboramuthee(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll try to feature them in coming posts :)
