figganigga
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 17, 2010
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They came along and set the trend for other artistes, they entertained us, others inspired us plus many other marvelous things that the East African music industry shall live to celebrate.
Some of us had the privelege to listen to them during our chilhood, others have heard of them through the media, through the internet, some through their “older” friends, social media or other avenues.
We must not downplay the following facts about these artistes:
1. Some of them are still doing their thing and still receive huge airplay across.
2. Others have gone underground. We rarely hear of their new music in the mainstream arena.
3. Others left us[God rest their souls in eternal peace]
4. Others are not currently doing music but have concentrated in other activities like private business or charity work while others chose to concentrate on their families and private matters.
5. Others got swallowed by fame and their music careers collapsed
Let us go old school and name some of these artistes, groups and personalities. Most of the legends named below began their music careers in the late 1990s while others in the early 2000s.
1. Ukoo Flani Mau Mau.
Hip Hop group from Kenya. Most artistes from the group hailed from Nairobi Eastlands while others came from Mombasa. Some of the artistes in the group that made our days back then include; Cannibal, Sharama, Juliani, Fujo Kelele, Kitu Sewer among others.
2. TID from Tanzania who brought us the hit songs Zeze, Asha, Sura yako among others.
3. XYZEE. Group from Kenya. Had members like Papa Santos and Lexxy.
4. Mr Nice from Tanzania of the Fagilia fame. We have not heard something tangible from the artiste since then.
5. Necessary Noize. Comprised of Nazizi, Wyre and Bamzigi. Bamzigi later defected to concentrate on solo career.
6. Matonya. Matonya hails from Tanzania. He wowed us with spongs like Vaileti and Anita.
7. Jose Chameleon. From Uganda. Originally began at Ogopa Deejays in Kenya. He gave us hits like Kipepeo, Dorotia, Mama Rhoda among others.
8. Henrie Mutuku. Gospel musician from Kenya. Gave us songs like Nakuhitaji and Manzi wa Maana.
9. Kalamashaka.
Hip Hop group from Kenya. It had Oteraw, Kama and Johnie all from Dandora, Nairobi. They curtain raised for major artistes like Dead Prez, Coolio and Lost Boyz on their different concerts in Kenya. That was as early as 1997. One notable single from the group is “Fanya Mambo”
10. Ngwair From Tanzania.
He released the single hit “Ghetto langu” which was done by producer Majani P Funk in 2003. This song gained huge popularity and put Ngwair on the map of Music in East Africa. He died on 28th May, 2013 at the age of 30. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
11. Rufftone.
Roy Smith Mwatia alias Rufftone is a gospel musician from Kenya. He started off in 1999 in 2000 he joined Ogopa Deejays and released hit single “Meeh” which put him on the East African music map. He gave his life in 2001 and began releasing gospel songs. Some of his hits include Mwikhulu, Tsinyanga Tsiwere, MOG featuring Votaries and many more.
12. Calif Records.
The founders of this music label were Clemmo and Paul Nunda. It was founded in 2000. Artistes signed to the label that made our days back then include; Nonini, Mahatma, Juacali, Flexx, Nonini, Lady S, Circute and Joel of the Manyake fame, Ratatat and Pilipili.
13. Ogopa Deejays music label.
In the earlier years, Ogopa Deejays made a name in the East African music industry. Some of the artistes and groups signed to it at that particular moment include; Nameless, Wahu, Logombas, E sir, K-rupt, Mr Googz & Vinnie, Bebe Cool and Kleptomaniax.
The list above is not conclusive. We can name more and more of these acts without an end. help us identify and celebrate more throwback artistes, groups and music labels like TMK from Tanzania
Some of us had the privelege to listen to them during our chilhood, others have heard of them through the media, through the internet, some through their “older” friends, social media or other avenues.
We must not downplay the following facts about these artistes:
1. Some of them are still doing their thing and still receive huge airplay across.
2. Others have gone underground. We rarely hear of their new music in the mainstream arena.
3. Others left us[God rest their souls in eternal peace]
4. Others are not currently doing music but have concentrated in other activities like private business or charity work while others chose to concentrate on their families and private matters.
5. Others got swallowed by fame and their music careers collapsed
Let us go old school and name some of these artistes, groups and personalities. Most of the legends named below began their music careers in the late 1990s while others in the early 2000s.
1. Ukoo Flani Mau Mau.
Hip Hop group from Kenya. Most artistes from the group hailed from Nairobi Eastlands while others came from Mombasa. Some of the artistes in the group that made our days back then include; Cannibal, Sharama, Juliani, Fujo Kelele, Kitu Sewer among others.
2. TID from Tanzania who brought us the hit songs Zeze, Asha, Sura yako among others.
3. XYZEE. Group from Kenya. Had members like Papa Santos and Lexxy.
4. Mr Nice from Tanzania of the Fagilia fame. We have not heard something tangible from the artiste since then.
5. Necessary Noize. Comprised of Nazizi, Wyre and Bamzigi. Bamzigi later defected to concentrate on solo career.
6. Matonya. Matonya hails from Tanzania. He wowed us with spongs like Vaileti and Anita.
7. Jose Chameleon. From Uganda. Originally began at Ogopa Deejays in Kenya. He gave us hits like Kipepeo, Dorotia, Mama Rhoda among others.
8. Henrie Mutuku. Gospel musician from Kenya. Gave us songs like Nakuhitaji and Manzi wa Maana.
9. Kalamashaka.
Hip Hop group from Kenya. It had Oteraw, Kama and Johnie all from Dandora, Nairobi. They curtain raised for major artistes like Dead Prez, Coolio and Lost Boyz on their different concerts in Kenya. That was as early as 1997. One notable single from the group is “Fanya Mambo”
10. Ngwair From Tanzania.
He released the single hit “Ghetto langu” which was done by producer Majani P Funk in 2003. This song gained huge popularity and put Ngwair on the map of Music in East Africa. He died on 28th May, 2013 at the age of 30. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
11. Rufftone.
Roy Smith Mwatia alias Rufftone is a gospel musician from Kenya. He started off in 1999 in 2000 he joined Ogopa Deejays and released hit single “Meeh” which put him on the East African music map. He gave his life in 2001 and began releasing gospel songs. Some of his hits include Mwikhulu, Tsinyanga Tsiwere, MOG featuring Votaries and many more.
12. Calif Records.
The founders of this music label were Clemmo and Paul Nunda. It was founded in 2000. Artistes signed to the label that made our days back then include; Nonini, Mahatma, Juacali, Flexx, Nonini, Lady S, Circute and Joel of the Manyake fame, Ratatat and Pilipili.
13. Ogopa Deejays music label.
In the earlier years, Ogopa Deejays made a name in the East African music industry. Some of the artistes and groups signed to it at that particular moment include; Nameless, Wahu, Logombas, E sir, K-rupt, Mr Googz & Vinnie, Bebe Cool and Kleptomaniax.
The list above is not conclusive. We can name more and more of these acts without an end. help us identify and celebrate more throwback artistes, groups and music labels like TMK from Tanzania
