Why Bongo Flava is popular in Kenya

[Geza Ulole]

THE BEAT
Why Bongo Flava is popular in Kenya

Taking over: Bongo Flava singer Diamond at the launch of his Number One video, which is believed to have cost over $30,000 (over Sh48 million).

IN SUMMARY

• As argued by pundits, Bongo Flava carries with it realistic overtures that identify with the common man’s struggles

Amidst the cacophony of city noise inside Mtwapa-bound matatu in Mombasa, or anywhere across Kenya, it is most likely that the music you will be blaring from the speakers is Bongo Flava.
Raga dance hall, despite being popular in Kenya, appeals slightly less than Bongo Flava, but stands slightly higher than indigenous music to Kenyan ears.
Artistes such as Diamond Platinumz, Lady Jay Dee, TID, Ali Kiba, Prof Jay, Ommy Dimpoz, TMK Wanaume and many others are household names in Kenya especially in Mombasa.
And even as the winds of fortune currently don’t seem to favour classic taarab, the modern taarab played by the likes of Mzee Yusuf, Hadija Kopa and co is quite at home in the coastal region, too.
In most Christian households, Rose Mhando, Christina Shusho, Boniface Mwaitege and the late Zedekiah form top shelf collections ever.
This is not to mention on the call back tunes on almost every cell phone in the country where Rose Mhando is among the leading .
Back in the days before Saida Karoli, Ray C and Mr Nice went into oblivion, they commanded great audiences and adoration on the Kenyan music scene.
These artistes simply awed Kenyan fans to the extent that bordered on madness.
Indeed, whenever they landed at JKIA, they received a reception befitting presidential welcome – complete with a red carpet and bouquets.
Collectively, Bongo Flava’s popularity is not in the entrepreneurial side of music, but her aesthetic and artistic aptitude that has, like a bug caught East and Central Africa off guard.
Just take a look at a YouTube posting of Diamond’s performance in Eastern Congo or his concert at the KICC, Nairobi and perhaps you will understand what I am talking about.
It is at this point that we begin to seek answers so this particular question. Why are these lads and lasses such a big hit all over?
As argued by most pundits, Bongo Flava carries realistic overtures while the music by contemporary Kenyan musicians does not identify with the people, their problems, joy of realistic love – it is just far-fetched in nature.
Artistes such as Eric Wainaina and Kato Change are too alien to the local music industry to the extent that their main performances are outside Kenya.
Some who identify with the young generation like Prezzo are far too flamboyant for most people’s liking.
The attempted cloning of American hip hop done in Kiswahili has to a large extent ended up in a mere fiasco. In fact, not many take them seriously.
Though they may appeal to a certain section of the youth the standards that they exhibit does not catch the ear of mature listeners and apparently, the music is very abstract.
While watching EA Mseto by Mzazi Willy Tuva, on Citizen TV the other day, it was visible that the Tanzanian brand had a larger share than Kenyan content.
Artistes such as Diamond and Lady Jay Dee top the list of artistes with their realism and creativity.
Lady Jay Dee’s singles ‘Joto Hasira’ and ‘Yahaya’ off her ‘Nothing but the Truth’ album are a manifestation of creativity as she tries to address the social ills that surround her community.
Listening to Diamond who only burst on the scene four years ago one cannot help but admire the artiste; his stuff has a lot of pep and strikes as a very creative and hardworking youth.
It is therefore, not surprising that even in the 70s when Simba Wanyika and Les Wanyika dominated the airwaves in Kenya; it was a group that was made of mainly Tanzanians who had crossed over.
Economic hardships of that time had made it difficult for them to do their music back at home but that didn’t stop them from being a hit.
This artistic knack perhaps is the reason why best cartoonists, artists and musicians are mostly of Tanzanian origin.
It is accurate to note that on average Tanzanians are better at putting pen to paper and coming up with lyrics that appeal to the masses sung in soothing vocals.
Though it is worthwhile to admit that on the marketing front Kenyans seem to be making more money, this does not necessarily mean they are making better music.
In this regard, Uganda and Tanzania trounce Kenya. Kenyan artistes do not understand their audience and the economics behind marketing to them.



Back to The Citizen: Why Bongo Flava is popular in Kenya



Why Bongo Flava is popular in Kenya - The Beat - thecitizen.co.tz

 

[Mshana Jr]

Mahairi bomba, Kiswahili safi na mpangilio wa midundo na maneno, na si bongo fleva tu hata gospel inawashika mno wakenya

 

[Dhuks]

muziki wa bongo una mpangilio, una ujumbe na uafrika ndani yake, wa kenya hata uasili wake kuelezea ni vigumu

 

[Ibrahim300]

Kwa sababu bongo kuna utata mwingi wa wasanii ikiwemo wasanii wengine wakivalia nguo za kustaajisha na skendo...pata stori zote za wasanii katika blog ya bkuHABARI

 

[Gurta]

muziki wa bongo una mpangilio, una ujumbe na uafrika ndani yake, wa kenya hata uasili wake kuelezea ni vigumu

Au tuseme Nairobi (haswa hapa) imewahi mno kuwa ya ki-Magharibi zaidi. Na wale wanoimba nyimbo za kiasili hawapati support kubwa ya kizazi cha sasa (vijana). Hata Bongo Flava inaelekea huku, lakini itachukua muda

 

[Bantugbro]

Au tuseme Nairobi (haswa hapa) imewahi mno kuwa ya ki-Magharibi zaidi. Na wale wanoimba nyimbo za kiasili hawapati support kubwa ya kizazi cha sasa (vijana). Hata Bongo Flava inaelekea huku, lakini itachukua muda

I beg to differ mkuu;
Bongo Flava wakati inaaanza ilitaka kuelekea huko kwa sasa imekomaa si rahisi tena kuelekea huko... :A S 39:

 

[ivibration]

People still listen to Bongo here, but si kama huko ma 2004, nyakati za kina Mr. Nice, TID,Jaydee,2Berry na wengine. Most of the people here in Kenya have since shifted their allegence to other Genres of music, including Dancehall, West Africa music and Classical Soul music. Bongo Music kwa sasa ni kama lingala. Watu wasema bongo ni ya hadithi za mapenzi tuu.

 

[Bantugbro]

People still listen to Bongo here, but si kama huko ma 2004, nyakati za kina Mr. Nice, TID,Jaydee,2Berry na wengine. Most of the people here in Kenya have since shifted their allegence to other Genres of music, including Dancehall, West Africa music and Classical Soul music. Bongo Music kwa sasa ni kama lingala. Watu wasema bongo ni ya hadithi za mapenzi tuu.

Are you sure? check this one out...:A S 39:

 

[kadoda11]

muziki wa bongo una mpangilio, una ujumbe na uafrika ndani yake, wa kenya hata uasili wake kuelezea ni vigumu

dhahiri shairi.asante sana mkuu.

 

[simplemind]

Amazing how bongo flava imeshika KE from uptown posh clubs to vuta pumzi joints downtown Diamond rocks.

 

[Mshana Jr]

Nabii havumi kwao

 

[Buru58]

Nowadays Bongo is not popular the way it used to be back in the days in 2004-2008...Just like somebody has said,we have shifted to our music,Dance hall etc in fact Kenyans barely know Tanzanian musicians apart from Lady Jey Dee,Diamond etc..

 

[Geza Ulole]

Hating on Diamond
By Steven Kisuli Muendo Updated Friday, October 24th 2014 at 09:59 GMT +3
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Even as Tanzanian star Diamond Platinumz emerged the top earning foreign artiste during the MCSK awards held in Nairobi on Monday, the singer was one unhappy man.

He gave the event a big miss. He had been on the receiving end of insults and accusations from some local artistes who seemed unhappy with his success here in Kenya.

The bizarre saga had started with a post made by a Kenyan artiste on Sunday. The singer had alluded that Diamond was being paid Sh1.5m to perform during a Kenyan celebration, yet local artistes were being paid Sh50,000 for the same. It was a lie.

The blogs fuelled the war. It turned out to be one of the most heated debates the music industry has had in a long time. By the time it was getting to Diamond, it had become an elephant.


When Pulse called Diamond, he was in shock that Kenyan artistes would wage war against him.

In fact, the news had shocked him. "MCSK never paid me a cent to perform. I had been invited to come collect my cash from royalties. All they did was to pay for my flight and accommodation," he said.

"The truth is that I was invited to attend the ceremony as a guest.

I have cancelled the trip because someone somewhere seems to have an issue with me," he added.

The new development confirms the cold war that has been going on between local musicians, DJs and foreign artistes who seem to be making more money than the locals.

Diamond for example charges about Sh200,000 for a concert at home and over Sh2 million for any concert he stages here, a figure not so many artistes can quote. Davido and Wizkid make the same amounts for concerts held in Nairobi.

Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/pulse/article/2000139279/hating-on-diamond?pageNo=1

The comparisons elicited yet another debate this week with top industry players trying to break down the state of the industry. "As a promoter, I will pay these guys that outrageous amount because I will get value for my money. They attract big crowds," reasoned Shreekezy, a singer and promoter.

"The truth is that Tanzanian and Nigerian artistes have a strategy to take over Africa. Tanzanian artistes hold meetings, attend each other's concerts and discuss available opportunities while back here, all we do is complain and diss each other.

It is not that the music industry is not growing. We simply lack unity. We are our own greatest enemy," remarks Frasha.

"DJs are not to blame for the popularity of Nigerian and Tanzanian songs, which are said to be getting more radio and club play than Kenyan music. We play what fans want. Period," argues DJ KayDee.

"The truth is Kenyan artistes don't know each other neither do they support each other. Networking is part of the business, locally, regionally and internationally. It is about time we changed this culture and go back to what E-sir started," concludes Shreekezy.

Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/pulse/article/2000139279/hating-on-diamond?pageNo=2

 

[Kibunango]

Katika article hiyo, inaonyesha kuwa wanamziki wengi wa Tz wanavipaji na wamekuwa wabunifu katika kuangalia mahitaji ya soko lao... hii ndio moja ya sababu kubwa ya kuwa juu huko Kenya.

 

[Mshana Jr]

Katika article hiyo, inaonyesha kuwa wanamziki wengi wa Tz wanavipaji na wamekuwa wabunifu katika kuangalia mahitaji ya soko lao... hii ndio moja ya sababu kubwa ya kuwa juu huko Kenya.

Nimekuwa Nairobi mara nyingi tu...nyimbo za Tanzania zinabamba vilivyo bongo fleva na Gospel pia na sasa zinapenya kwa kasi kubwa mno Kampala Juba Kigali Kisangani mpaka Bujumbura
Huwezi kupita huko ukae saa nzima bila kusikia wimbo wowote wa Tanzania ukipigwa redioni au vibandani nk. Hata zile zinazohiti za wasanii wao zina vionjo na mizizi ya bongo fleva

 

[Geza Ulole]

Nimekuwa Nairobi mara nyingi tu...nyimbo za Tanzania zinabamba vilivyo bongo fleva na Gospel pia na sasa zinapenya kwa kasi kubwa mno Kampala Juba Kigali Kisangani mpaka Bujumbura
Huwezi kupita huko ukae saa nzima bila kusikia wimbo wowote wa Tanzania ukipigwa redioni au vibandani nk. Hata zile zinazohiti za wasanii wao zina vionjo na mizizi ya bongo fleva

ubaya wa wasanii wa kenya wanaleta chuki badala ya kujifunza! BTW Bongoflava success has to with EATV expansion to a large extent iumbukwe Radio one and ITV were the first local radio and TV stations kupiga nyimbo za rap ya kiswahili yaani Bongoflava. Clouds TV is taking the game to the higher level na hiyo radio yao huko Dubai!

 

[Mshana Jr]

ubaya wa wasanii wa kenya wanaleta chuki badala ya kujifunza! BTW Bongoflava success has to with EATV expansion to a large extent iumbukwe ITV was the first local company kupiga nyimbo za rap ya kiswahili yaani Bongoflava. Clouds TV is taking the game to the higher level na hiyo radio yao huko Dubai!

Ni ngumu kuipiku bongo fleva vipaji vinazaliwa kila siku madogo kama kina Aslay na bendi yake, More music na wengineo wakitulia watafika mbali na kuitambulisha Tanzania vema, wana vina, nahau na mpangilio wa mistari kitu ambacho wakenya wengi hawana

 

[Geza Ulole]

Ni ngumu kuipiku bongo fleva vipaji vinazaliwa kila siku madogo kama kina Aslay na bendi yake, More music na wengineo wakitulia watafika mbali na kuitambulisha Tanzania vema, wana vina, nahau na mpangilio wa mistari kitu ambacho wakenya wengi hawana

wakenya waimbe nyimbo kama hizi

 

[Mwendabure]

Hii ni week mbaya sana kwa watani zetu humu jamvini. wanachambuliwa kila kona. Kuanzia kwa sekta ya ulinzi hadi burudani!??

 

[Balantanda]

Kenya ni wazuri kwa 'Katitu' basi...