You can always see what I’ve been listening to on Last.fm (my music player logs everything there), but sometimes I am surprised how the numbers add up. Most of it shouldn’t be a shock (metal), but there’s actually a lot of rap/hip-hop from the US as well as East Africa. We always hear matatus blaring mixtapes from local DJs, and one thing they usually say is that they are Keepin’ it strictly Kenyan! So in honor of what is now becoming a tradition, I am posting a few more of my favorite songs for you!
Redsan — Yule Pale
Actually, Redsan is Ugandan, but he calls Kenya home these days. Yule pale is “That person over there”… probably a chick at a party. Just enjoy the beats!
Flexx — Amejibeba
This one came out in 2006 I think, but I really like the song. In Swahili I guess that literally means “She has carried herself” but in sheng (street Swahili, slang) it’s really something like “She’s got ass,” haha. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmwWYC75XuU
Jua Cali — Bidii Yangu
This track is a bit old but I like it. Jua Cali means “know California,” an estate in Nairobi where this rapper comes from. I always tell people nimejua calif (“I have known California”), as it’s where I was born and raised in the US.
Which is your favorite? Did any of them make you bob your head? Clap your hands? Be honest, if you stood up on the table to dance I wanna know. Maybe it’s just me, because I live in Kenya… haha!
heh, i like the flexx song the best. i find the video much more entertaining than either of the others!
Are there any specific Kenyan tags/stations in last.fm that you would recommend? I’ve been listening to Ethiopiques, Fela Kuti, Brenda Fassie, Ali Farka Toure and the like. But have not come across any good tags/stations for Kenyan music. For example, if I listen to music tagged ‘taraab’, a large percentage of the music ends up being middle eastern taraab.
Asante, Bwana!
I don’t pay too much attention to the tags actually. I just browse getmziki.com’s blog and read what they have to say about artists, new and old. Also I’ll go look something up if I hear it in a matatu, haha!
dude, you should check out Last Year’s Tragedy…metal band from Kenya. I hope you also know about the battle of the bands on the first weekend of July.I think at Choices Baricho rd.
lol wow buda wewe ni mkenya..you even know manzi amejibeba wow this calls for hang out session soon lol