Eric Wainaina news Archives

Why have Kenyans completely forgotten about Eric Wainaina?

Posted on March 12, 2020March 12, 2020 by David Kingsley

If you are a lover of good music, like myself, then I’m sure you are familiar with the name Eric Wainaina. Other than the fact that his sound is unique, he is one of the few Kenyan artists who can pull huge crowds abroad.

I grew up listening to Eric Wainaina. You see, in the early 2000s, Kapuka and Genge were a big deal but he opted for a different path and that is what some people would call modern Benga.

Eric Wainaina

The singer, who is now 46, treated us to many lovely tunes such as Ritwa Riaku, Nchi Ya Kitu Kidogo, Selina, Dunia Ina Mambo, Mariana, just to name a few.

He made the kind of music that you could listen to even when an elder person was in the room at a time when people like Nonini, Jua Cali, Flexx and the likes were making ratchet music.

We all loved him, at least can I say I did and that is why it beats me why we decided to forget about him and his great music.

Eric Wainaina

A few days ago, I was trawling the internet when I came across a number of songs that he had released recently but the thing that caught my my eye was the fact that most barely had 200 views, yes two hundred!

And it’s not that the songs are whack or something. Actually, I would say that he’s way better now compared to a few years ago. His sound has significantly improved.

I kept asking myself where the rain started beating Eric Wainaina. Is it that people outgrew his music or did his fans move on to other artists or do Kenyans just have an affinity with ratchet music?

Eric Wainaina

Or is it his fault? Maybe he took too long to catch up with the technological advancement? Maybe his marketing team are not pulling their weight. I really don’t understand this.

Anyway, all I know is that people who go out of their ways to make good music should be celebrated. I know many of you will talk of how he was a great musician when he dies yet when he is a alive you don’t give a hoot. The irony.

Listen to one of his most recent releases titled Hallelujah People which happens to be my favourite. You’re welcome. If you have time make sure you go to one of his live performances, you won’t be disappointed.

Listen Up! Singer Eric Wainaina cheated on his wife and came back with valuable lessons and he’s sharing them all

Posted on September 3, 2019September 3, 2019 by Pauline Syombua

Singer Eric Wainaina was caught up is some ugly cheating scandal almost 10 years ago after he cheated on his wife Sheba Hirst.

Eric was cheating on her with former Tusker Project Fame contestant Valerie Kimani; an affair that brought forth a child.

Speaking in a recent interview, Eric confessed that what he did has also haunted him and came back with valuable lessons.

“I learnt a lot of lessons about faithfulness. We live in a society where men have been raised to imagine that it is OK to have multiple partners and that your friends will keep your secrets for you. You can dog your wife in the company of your best friend there. And when your wife calls him when seated right there with you, he will for sure come up with an excuse for you. Something like… ‘Oh Eric just stepped out…’ I told my friends I don’t need that from them and I don’t want to be their excuse either. Don’t get your girlfriend to call me and ask whether we were with you. I will say nope, I was not,” he said.

Adding: “Of course this comes from having slipped up before and understanding how much it hurt my wife, and deciding I don’t ever want to do that again. The biggest accomplishment for me, in tandem with my wife, is having saved our relationship from imploding.”

Shame

On how he reacted after the cheating saga went public, Eric said that he knew he would be shamed but he was okay with it.

“Of course I minded, but I owned it. I did not go to the press to start defending myself because that’s not the kind of person I am. Also, a thing like that, while I think it is right to suffer some degree of public shame, making it public is not the way to solve it because all you can do is defend yourself instead of fixing it. I expected it to get as bad as it got, and I was definitely not going to deny it but now it’s in my past,” he said.

Why Kenyan Musicians are no longer doing patriotic songs

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Branny

Years back you would be jamming to five or more patriotic songs that would give you a sense of belonging without question.

However, for a few years now it’s clear that Kenyan artists are no longer doing patriotic songs. Why? I believe Kenyans are frustrated.

Musicians like Juliani and Eric Wainaina have been on the fore front when it comes to this kind of music.

But as the Wamlambez regime took over the Kenyan airwaves,the patriotic songs were totally ignored. Why?

Bad Politics

In my opinion I believe it is because of the bad political situation that we are facing as a nation.

But again, this should not be factor that cripples our sense of patriotism as a nation.

Far, from just being a source of entertainment music can be used to bring us together with little consideration to ethnicity.

A situation that is slowly eating us up as a nation.

Anyway my point is when Sauti Sold said “Tuko pabaya Leo kuliko jana” in their song of Tujiangalie, they were right.

I mean look at the economic state that Kenya has plunged itself in.

If only Kenyan musicians took the initiative to do more music on patriotism like before I believe our state of helplessness would be lesser.

This would sooth the negative energy that many carry around.

Recently celebrated dancehall Gospel artists Gurdian Angel did a patriotic song in partnership with Permanent Presidential Music Commission that clearly resonates with every Kenyan.

However to date the views to the song stand at 63k views, this is sad. What do we want?

Are our Kenyan artists now afraid to articulate the state of the nation?

Our Hope

If only the likes of Juliani and Eric Wainaina would come back to music scene then some Kenyans will get that little glimmer of hope in our country.

A hope of one day being a nation that is scandal free or corruption free and leaders will finally provide the servant kind of leadership.

Then just maybe our musicians will be inspired to create patriotic music instead of hiding in the Wamlambez cocoon.

“Who someone chooses to love has nothing to do with you” Eric Wainaina speaks of homosexuality

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Martin Oduor

Homosexuality is a topic that is still treated with apprehension in the Kenyan society where members of the LGBT community are still stigmatized.

Eric Wainaina has frankly expressed his view on homosexuality. The Afro-fusion singer spoke about the taboo topic while delivering a keynote address at the Africa Conference For Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases last week.

The veteran musician was feted at the opening of the three-day pan–African conference which was held at the Kenya National Theater.

“To be counted worthy of recognition and holder of the 2018 Music In Africa Honorary Award was a humbling and gratifying experience. Thank you,” wrote Eric after being feted.

A lot of our colleagues are gay

Eric defended homosexuality while delivering the keynote address. He said that a lot of his colleagues were gay and went on to stress that their sexuality should be no one’s business.

“A lot of our colleagues are gay. Who someone chooses to love has nothing to do with you. Concern yourself with things that you do. We have to play our part in defining Africa’s present and future agenda. We can’t let the agenda be decided by the conservative, polyester, oversized suit, bald-headed men,” said Eric Wainaina.