Tim Kamuzu Banda
15 March 2008
Nairobi — In Kenya, a good number of musicians have come to fame as a result of being linked to a reputed recording studio. Three or so such studios are particularly famous for making artistes.
Nameless, Redsan and Amani, for example, are names that were thrust into the limelight by Ogopa Studio of Lucas and Company. Karma and Big Pin also made a mark in the music scene, thanks to their association with the Ogopa.
Calif Records is another notable recording firm that has discovered and developed artistes. Run by producer Clemmo (Clement Rapudo), the studio is credited with discovering and nurturing the talent of Jua Cali, Nonini, Flex and Jimw@t and others.
Homeboyz Studio of Musyoka and Mingilove Studio of Robert "RKAY" Kimanzi have also done their bit, as has Ted Josiah's Blue Zebra, which created, amongst others, Nikii and rapper turned politician Mongolo.
The latest outfit on the scene is Nairobi's Flix and Audio Studios. The two month-old firm, owned by Kevin "Big Kev" Ombajo has just released a compilation album that introduces new but promising faces.
The person behind production at the studio is Shaky Mandugu, one of the famous Mandugu brothers who also run Mandugu Digital Studios. He says that just like Calif Records did with the Genge beat, Flix and Audio is out to define a new beat that will take Kenyans by storm.
"We are different and others should watch out for what Kenyans will be hooked to in 2008," he promises.
Shaky's skills and ability to make Flix and Audio a success cannot be doubted given his impressive résumé. The 30-year-old has been in the industry since 1994 as a singer and instrumentalist with different choir groups before becoming a solo artiste.
His production stint has seen him work with a number of artistes who include Kayamba Afrika, Mercy Myra and Ian Mbugua. He has also had a stint in Tanzania where he has worked with Prof J and Matonya - two of Bongo's biggest names. Now he says he is back in Kenya with the burning determination to help to make new artistes.
Among musicians the studio is uncovering is Annonimas - a trio comprising Brendan Kangethe, Benson Njoroge and William Ngethe.
Since the group's formation in 2002, they have tried their hands at a few production houses, but could not find a producer who understood the type of music they wanted to bring out. However, they believe that they have finally found a home at Flix and Audio.
Annonimas, who is his 20s, reminds one of the famous Klepto, but he is more diverse in genres. The group's main genre is a fusion of Bongo Flava and Lingala music, but with a tinge of hip-hop. If their debut single, Joto Baridi, which features on the Flix and Audio Volume 1 compilation, is anything to go by then the boys have a great future.
Another talent at the studio is Ella, whose real name is Ella Wanjiru Mberia, a former Karaoke host at Nairobi's Intercontinental Hotel, but has finally decided to get to the studio and record her own music. She has a refined mellow voice that is sure to take her places.
The 21-year-old describes herself as the little girl who is out to make a difference with her music, but her voice and what she can do with it reveal a great prospect. She should she be able to release her debut album before August when this year's competition for the best female artiste at the Kisima Awards will be under way.
She has released two tracks, Indeche and Ni Wakati, which are promising.
"I am inspired by the likes of Nameless and Achieng' Abura, both of whom have been in the game for quite some time and are still going strong," says Ella who has just completed high school.
But set to battle it out with the growing number of young female artistes, Ella knows that she will first have to confront studio-mate Nenna, whose real name is Helen Wachira.
She is another great vocalist who has the added edge of being able to play the guitar, having learnt the technique from her father at an early age. The 21-year-old can also do R&B as well as she does hip-hop.
This means that Choku and Ratatat - two of the genre's best girls in Kenya - will have to be looking behind their shoulders.
Nenna has released two tracks, What to do and Nimechoka.
Not many know Clarence Kilalo, but I bet they will remember DJ Clash, a multi talented young man who featured in the famous F2 talent searches as a rap artiste before ditching it for a career as a DJ after getting certified by the reputable Blackstar Entertainment DJs.
He has, however, decided to go back to the studio and, with Nena, released Nimechoka, which should be targeting the kind of audience that listens to music by Abbas or Ukoo Fulani Mau Mau.
According to sources at the studio, all the artistes are working on their albums which should all be ready mid-this year, but in the meantime, the compilation is ready for the market.
A new array of talents and a new recording studio means that the competition should be very stiff in 2008, but this can only be good for Kenya's music scene.
The team at Flix and Audio are, however, aware that they will have to be at their best if they are to match or even beat the present competition. But it is a task they say they are up to.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The Nation. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
