Tabu Osusa: The Making of an International Music Champion

By Isaac Otidi Amuke

Osusa and I are sitting at La Belle Époque, the ground floor café at Nairobi’s Alliance Francaise on Monrovia Street. Soon, our conversation becomes untenable when music from Straight Line Connection, a Nairobi indie rock/metal band gets too loud. Osusa, an avid French speaker and board member at Nairobi’s Alliance Francaise, informs me that the performance is part of ShowCase Wednesday, a monthly shindig where artists experiment with an eye on building audiences. That’s how Osusa and I, once again, make for the relatively quieter Sippers pub in Hurlingham, a hideaway we both frequent to listen to Congolese Rhumba, a musical shrine of sorts which Osusa has since christened The Church.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE: https://thelagosreview.ng/tabu-osusa-the-making-of-an-international-music-champion-isaac-otidi-amuke/

The Retracing Series on KBC Tv: Kikuyu Popular Music

Over the past 3 weeks Ketebul Music in conjunction with KBC TV have been airing our Retracing series of documentaries. These are aired as a 13 part series every Sunday at 5:30pm on KBC channel one.

The Retracing Series is based on research documentaries on the origins and development of different genres and styles of music from Kenya. So far we have documented;

Benga: Retracing The Benga Rhythm, (which was aired over the first 3 weeks)

Kikuyu Popular Music: Retracing Kikuyu Popular Music

Funk: Retracing Kenya’s Funky Hits

Protest music: Retracing Kenya’s Songs of Protest

This coming Sunday, we shift focus from “Retracing the Benga Rhythm,” to “Retracing Kikuyu Popular Music.”

Stay tuned on Ketebul Music website and social media for updates and extracts from the Kikuyu popular music edition, and be sure to join us this Sunday at 5:30pm on KBC Channel One for the first installment of this edition.

All the editions of the Retracing Series of documentaries are available at Ketebul Music Studios and selected outlets. For inquiries and delivery within CBD call +254 720 561 198
info@ketebulmusic.org

Welcome to Throwback Thursday!

Welcome to Throwback Thursday!

We dedicate our Thursdays to reviewing and revisiting our past projects, events and generally things we have been involved in.

Today, as we are gearing up to release our latest edition of the Retracing series titled Retracing Kenya’s Songs of Protest, we shall revisit one of the earlier editions in the series: Retracing Kikuyu Popular Music.

Retracing Kikuyu Popular Music is the 2nd edition in the Retracing series. It was officially released on Friday 17 December, 2010. The launch was held at Alliance Francaise de Nairobi and included a concert that featured performances by non other than the legendary musicians Joseph Kamaru and DK Mwai.

The project traced the roots of Mugithi and aimed at answering the following questions:
Why did Gospel music become such a big part of Kikuyu popular music?
Is it true that there is a Jim Reeves, Don Williams or Kenny Rodgers cassette in the home of every music-loving Kikuyu?
Why is it that amongst the Kikuyu rural elite and urban middle-class, one of the nicknames given to a fast-talking know-it-all is “Jimmie Rodger?”
How did the name of the American “father of country music” – Jimmie Rodgers – come to be inscribed in the spoken idiom of the Kikuyu of the 21st Century? Why does Kikuyu urban guitar music carry the riffs of American country music?
Why do virtually all Kikuyu popular musicians wear American Stetson hats and Denim suits, and occasionally, a leather jacket and studded belt?

Retracing Kikuyu Popular Music takes a journey into the roots of Kikuyu music tries to answer these and many other questions. The answers may not be straightforward but in trying to unlock the riddles, Ketebul Music avails part of the archive of Kikuyu popular music in new and accessible formats.

Makadem @ Festival International Ollin Kan 2012 & Cannes Film Festival

By Nyakenya

With only a few weeks left before the end of his 3 months music residency in Cite international des Arts in Paris France, Makadem has had a very busy and exciting schedule.

Earlier this month Makadem was in Mexico where he performed at the annual Festival International Ollin Kan. Makadem was accompanied on stage by the One World All Stars band which comprises of musicians from Copenhagen and Berlin.

Upon his return to Paris last week, Makadem performed at the openning of the Cannes Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious and publicized international film festival, in Cannes south of France.

During his stay in Paris, Makadem also had the opportunity to meet and rub shoulders with a number of dignitaries from Kenya when they visited France. They included the current Minister For Justice Hon Eugene Wamalwa and the Chairman of IEBC Mr Ahmed Isaak Hassan.

Makadem whose residency comes to a close at the end of this month, will be returning home shortly where he will then headline at the Sawa Sawa festival.

Stay tuned for more updates on this and other stories from Ketebul Music.

Winyo Shortlisted For Rolex Mentor & Protégé Arts Initiative

By Stefano

We are proud to announce that our very own Winyo has been shortlisted as one of the four finalists for the Rolex Mentor & Protégé Arts Initiative!

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative is an international philanthropic programme created to assist extraordinary, rising artists to achieve their full potential. It seeks out these artists from around the world and brings them together with great masters, for a year of creative collaboration in a one-to-one mentoring relationship(extracted from www.rolexmentorprotege.com).

Winyo was invited to apply for the programme by the Initiative’s Selection Committee and went on to be shortlisted as one of the four finalists in the music category of the Initiative.

If selected, Winyo will benefit from a year of mentoring,starting June 2012, from legendary Brazillian singer, guitarist and songwriter, Gilberto Gil.

Gilberto Gil is known for both his musical innovation and political commitment. From 2003 to 2008, he served as Brazil’s Minister of Culture in the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Gil’s musical style incorporates an eclectic range of influences, including Rock music, Brazilian genres including samba, African music, and reggae (extracted from wikipedia). Gilberto Gil also has 7 Grammy Awards to his name including Best Contemporary World Music Album in 1999 and 2005 for his albums’ Quanta Live’ and ‘Eletracústico’ respectively. He also holds two Latin Awards Grammies for Best Brazillian Roots Album for 2001 and 2002.

Previuos mentors and protégés in the music cartegory of the initiative include Brian Eno (mentor) and Ben Frost (protégé) 2010/2011, and recently Youssour N’Dour (mentor) and Aurelio Martinez (protégé).

Winyo is set to travel to Rio Dejaneiro in Brazil for a face to face meeting with Gilberto Gil. Mr Gil will then select his protege out off the four finalists.

Many of you might remember Winyo has twice been selected for the Radio France International Discoveries programme of 2010 and 2011. He went on to be the first runners up in 2010.

We take this chance to congratulate Winyo for first being selected and invited to apply for the mentorship programme, and on making it to the shortlist.

All the best in your meeting with Mr. Gil.

Ogoya Nengo: Sauti za Busara 2012 Summary

By Stefano Sita Nne
After a week of rehearsal at Alliance Francaise with her 8 piece band, Ogoya Nengo finally jetted into Zanzibar on the 9th of February. Despite the high temperatures that they were not accustomed to, the group was in high spirits rearing to get on stage and give a dose of Dodo and Ohangla Music.

The following morning, the group which comprised of Ogoya Nengo on lead vocals, Olith Ratego, Margaret Ondiege Asin and Wilfrida Anyango on support vocals, Joseph Oloo aka Maumbo on ohangla, Boaz Aketch on Orutu, George Achieng’ on drums, Tobias Onyango on traditional drums and Joseph Ojung’a on the oporo (horn), were up bright and early and ready for their scheduled soundcheck at Ngome Kongwe (the Old Fort) in Stonetown, the venue of Sauti za Busara Festival 2012.

Fast forward to showtime later that evening at 8.20pm, Ogoya Nengo’s powerful vocals reverberated accross the fort’s walls, to the delight and applause from the crowd after each and every song.

At one point, Camirata Group from Northern Sudan who had peformed the previous night, were so impressed by Ogoya Nengo’s performance that they jumped on stage and danced along with Ogoya Nengo.

At the end of her set, Ogoya walked off the stage to another roar of applause from the audience.

Ogoya Nengo had a day to explore and discover Zanzibar before taking her flight back to Nairobi on the 12th of February.

Featured photos courtesy Ketebul Music

Makadem For Music Residency In Paris, France

It seems like globe trotting will again be the order of the day for Ketebul Music artist Makadem. The Ohanglaman will soon be packing his bags as he takes off for a 3 month music residency in Paris, France.

Supported by the Institut Francais under the Ateliers du Monde programme, Makadem was selected for the residency programme which will see him study under internationally reknown kalimba maestro, Lolendo Mvulu, with the intention of improving his kalimba playing skills.

Makadem who spent the better part of last year in Europe, will also use his time in Paris interacting with other musicians like the critically acclaimed Congolese guitarist Syrian M’Benza.known for his collaborations with the likes of Sam Mangwana, Vicky Longomba and Nyboma to name but a few. Syrian M’Benza is widely acknowledged as one of Africa’s finest and most accomplished guitarists (quoted from African Musician’s Profiles).

We at Ketebul Music extend our gratitude to Institut Francais for giving Makadem this opportunity.

Featured photo ©Paulo da Costa

Retracing Kenya’s Funky Hits Released

Retracing Kenya’s Funky Hits has finaly been released! This third edition from Ketebul Music’s retracing series, is a research based documentary on the influence that American funkl and soul had on the Kenya’n pop culture of the 70s and 80s.

Compiled over a period of one and a half years, Retracing Kenya’s Funky Hits is packaged as a narrative booklet, an audio CD compilation of 15 Kenyan funk numbers from Slim Ali, Kelly Brown, Steele Beauttah, Sal Davies,Ismael Jingo, Feisal Brown, the Ashantis, The Mighty Cavaliers, The Hodi Boys, Black Savage and Air Fiesta Matata, and a DVD.

For details on where to get your copy, call us on 0720 561 198

Featured photo: Air Fiesta Matata

Makadem on TV 2 GO /Morgen-Tv

On 28th of October, Makadem was in the studios of Danish National TV Station TV 2 GO/Morgen TV.

Together with his band, Makadem performed DHI NDALO, a song from his current album OHANGLAMAN and was backed up by Soweto Kinch, Carl Winther, Yohan Ramon and Yuliesky Guerra Gonzalez.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Featured photo by Derek Ruttan, London Free Press

Makadem,Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Soweto Kinch

By Nyakenya

Makadem, The Ohanglaman, one of the most exciting musicians and performers from Kenya,opened the stage for the great Nigerian musician Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti,better known as Seun Kuti, son to the legendary Afro Beat pioneer Fela Kuti.

This was a great opportunity and honour for Makadem who has been likened to the great Fela Kuti himself, owing to his energy and  stage presence. This was the sixth performance on Makadem’s One World Scandinavian tour which began on the 20th of October and will be coming to a close on the 19th of November 2011.

Also joining makadem on stage was Soweto Kinch, a renowned British alto saxophonist and rapper.

For more information on this and other shows on the tour CLICK HERE.

Featured photo by Paulo da Costa. To see more photos of Makadem by Paulo da Costa CLICK HERE.