Tag: Big Pin News

Musician Patonee hospitalised in critical condition, Family appeals for medical help

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Veteran Singer Patrick Gichuki Mwangi, popularly known as Patonee, is said to be in critical condition that has seen him admitted at the ICU since 1st October and his family now says the bill is growing at a rate of Sh 200k per day.

Tbt: Patonee

Patonee who was once one of the biggest artists in Kenya is known for popular song “Talk to Me” featuring fellow musicians Big Pin and Amani among others but just like musicians from bacm then – he just disappeared from the music industry without notice.

However having made good friends in the industry like Big Pin – the same friends have come out to support the musicians family by appealing for medical help.

Big Pin on Patonee

As seen on a post shared online by Big Pin he went on to open up about Patonee’s condition saying;

 Patrick Gichuki Mwangi, ‘Patonee’ is critically ill and is hospitalized in the ICU ward, as of October 1. His hospital care is expensive and has been growing at a rate of Sh200,000 per day. There are plans to hold a physical fund-raising event at a later date to be communicated. However, given the growing bills, the family is requesting your assistance to support with any advance contribution, towards offsetting our bill,

Although the family hasn’t shared much on their son’s condition – fans and friends continue to spread word hoping Patonee will get the help needed.

Happy Birthday South C’s Finest Rapper and Lyricist, E-Sir…

Posted on by Kibaki Muthamia

E-Sir….

It’s a short cryptic name. It’s like a fig.  A fig is a tiny seed, but grows to gigantic proportions. From humble, feeble beginnings to a towering, overshadowing stature in total indifference to numerous challenges and pitfalls along the journey.

Perhaps, in nature a fig seed would best animate the life of Kenya’s most celebrated fallen Hip Hop artist, Issah Mmari Wangui, fondly known as E-Sir.

Today, in better circumstances, E-Sir would be marking 19 years in the Hip Hop industry. However, that bubbly candle was snuffed out in a grisly road accident on a chilly Sunday morning – 16th March, 2003 aged just 21.

Just why E-Sir fondly remains in the hearts and minds of Hip Hop fans? His was a soul born before his time – a dynamic fusion of unique talent, entrepreneurial mindset and a burning desire to be the best in the industry.

A casual online search of the republic’s most iconic musicians has E-Sir cheekily tacked in between regional musical entities – Daudi Kabaka, Les Wanyika, Them Mushrooms, et al – all with eventful careers spanning decades. E-Sir’s case is different.

In two short years, 2001 – 2003, E-sir had grown from ‘South C’s Finest’ – winning freestyle rap sessions on street corners – to a star with a huge national following.

E-Sir had an easy-flowing lyrical flow, often in flawless Swahili and became one of the pioneers of Kapuka. Signed to the label Ogopa DJs, E-Sir’s peers on the Kapuka Beat includes Nameless, Redsan, Mr. Lenny, Vinnie Banton, amongst others.

In 2003, local Hip Hop faced a daunting task to penetrate the market, as Western Hip hop had a fanatical following. Remember The East vs. West beef? Yeah, that’s what E-Sir and fellow stars had to over shadow…..

And, Oh Boy! They did it in style!

E-Sir’s ageless hits include Bamba ft. Big Pin and K-Rupt (Deceased), Mos Mos ft. Brenda, Saree, and the soulful Hamnitishi ft. Talia – which, loved ones believe has a deeper message that foresaw his imminent demise. Up to date, E-sir’s greatest hit, Bumba Train alongside close friend nameless still enjoys massive airplay on radio.

E-Sir’s musical dream still lives on with his younger brother, Habib still in the industry.

Long Live E-Sir.

Big Pin’s new jam dubbed ‘Mama’ is totally amazing (Video)

Posted on by David Kingsley

Kenyan musician Chrispin Mwangale, who is popularly known as Big Pin, has released a new jam that we absolutely love.

The song titled Mama is dedication to his mother who he says has played a big part in making him the person that he is today.

In the song, Big Pin says he is proud to be her son and reminisces how his mother raised him and taught him how to love the church. He also thanks her for her kindness, generosity, pain and patience.

This song is a beautiful composition just like all the other many songs which are dedicated to mothers. As you listen to it, you also feel grateful for the things that your has done since the day that you were born.

Big Pin
Big Pin

The hook for this song is very simple and easy to memorize. It goes like, “I love you mama I love you mama I love you mama mimi nakupenda sana.”

The other thing that struck me about this song, apart from the beautiful background vocalists that is, is the Afro-beat that was playing in the background. It really blends well with the song and will make you replay it a couple of times.

The song was produced by Ilogos while the lyric video was done by Director O and in my opinion they both really did a great job.

Listen to Mama below and tell us what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2PRjMd6wO4

Kenyan musicians who’ve been struggling to make a comeback and what they need to do

Posted on by David Kingsley

Kenyan musicians who were household names 10 years (or so) ago have been struggling to make a comeback in the last few years. However, their efforts are neither here nor there. It’s almost as if they are wasting their time.

DNA

Truth is, time flies. Maybe you treated Kenyans to a big hit in your heydays. For one reason or the other, you decided to slow down or take a break as you bask in your success. Maybe you just got lazy, who knows?

Somewhere along the way, perhaps after 5 (or so) years, the musician decides to go back to studio to record songs. More often than not, what motivates them is the fact that their bank account are not as fat as they used to be.

They hurry to release the songs. However, the songs don’t do well. They can’t even get 10,000 views on YouTube. This comes as a shock to many artists who were big back in the day. They find it hard to believe that their fans have moved on.

You see, 5 years is such a long time. Hundreds, maybe thousands of new musicians have cropped up since the old guns took a break. Naturally, some of them won the hearts of music fans.

As such, when the old guns make a comeback after so many years, they find it hard to penetrate the industry. Perhaps they sound the same way and this makes it even harder.

Instead of releasing many songs that no one bothers to listen to, these old guns should come face-to-face with the fact that they are no longer the household acts that they were a decade ago.

In so doing, they will come to the realization that they need to work with new-age musicians to regain relevance and break through in the local industry.

Accepting that you are no longer at the top takes a lot of humility. Actually, it’s a laudable act. The sooner most old guns realize this the better.

Some of the old guns who have been trying to make a comeback include; Mr. Lenny, Kenzo, DNA, Nonini, Kendi, Kenrazy, Big Pin, Julani, just to name a few. I hope one day they will get an eye-opener.

Watch DNA’s latest single dubbed Lokko below.