Kenyan hip hop
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenyan hip hop music has become very popular among local youth lately. Many Kenyan mainstream artists blend rap with ragga, r&b and dance-pop. In fact some artists generally classified as Kenyan Hip hop may not have much to do with hip hop in its strict sense. Mixing of Swahili, English and tribal languages is common (see also an article on Kenyan street language, Sheng).
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[edit] Development of the style
Kenyan hip hop had its beginnings in the early 1990's with artists such as the House Troupe who are considered to be he pioneers of Hip Hop music and culture in Kenya ( The numerous press features on the local dailies document this). House Troupe, was popular circa 1992 to around 1995 when the group broke up. Most Kenyan rappers were still unknown and would rap only in their schools, colleges and homes. The first major hip hop hit came in 1996 with Uhiki by Hardstone (Harrison Ngunjiri), produced by Tedd Josiah of the then Audio Vault Studios (now, Blue Zebra). Other popular pioneering acts were Kalamashaka with their national hit "Tafsiri Hii," K-South with "Tabia Mbaya," and also the late Poxi Presha with his break out hit "Otongolo Time". Other emerging styles are R&B/Gospel music, as sung by female singer Mercy Myra.
Into the new millennium, many new groups and solo artists have emerged and the scene musically diversified. Gidi Gidi Maji Maji emerged in 1997 with their hit "Ting Badi Malo" and released the critically acclaimed debut album, "Ismarwa" the following year.They went on to released their hugely popular and politically charged hit Unbwogable in 2002. Other famous artists are Necessary Noize, Redsan, Nameless and Nonini among others.
[edit] Production
Most artists affilite themselves with a production house which serves the same function as a record company. Some popular production houses include Ogopa DJ's, Homeboyz, Mandugu Digital, Calif Records, Samawati Studios, Blu Zebra among others. The music industry continues to grow with different production houses developing distinguishing sounds. There is Ogopa DJ's who term their style of music as "boomba" or "Kapuka" while Calif Records initiated a new style known as Genge.
[edit] Radio
Most of the radio hardly plays hip hop. But one show (Da Joint) that did was taken of the air it had a huge following. It used to be hosted by Emcee Mwafrika on YFM, before he moved on. Currently there are plans to establish 'ghetto radio' a community radio of sorts.
[edit] Fashion
Continuing a now common Hip Hop trend worldwide is the creation of fashion made for kenyans who love Hip Hop by kenyan Hip Hop fashion designers. The leading brand being Jamhuri wear which is now based in New York and worn by the likes of Jay-Z founded by Kenyan born and raised designer. Another is MAU MAU University Clothing Co. founded by Hip Hop entrepreneur Kevin Ombija. His t shirts have developed a cult following in Kenya and with kenyans abroad. Set to be developed as a fully fledged clothing brand from 2007. Other notable Kenyan Hip Hop fashion brands include Fundi Frank, Stitch Styles and Ruff Wear.
[edit] Marketing and piracy
Due to the high rates of piracy in Kenya, poor music distribution mechanism, an ineffective music copyright society and poor marketing few hip hop artists have been able to make a living from their music. Many artistes depend on doing performances so as to make a living due to the poor music sales in the case of those who can afford to make a cd, while other artistes do not have the capital to record whole cds and make music on a single by single basis.
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