The new age artists’ signature style can be tagged as a uniquely Kenyan Hip Hop sound

It’s now official.

The Kenyan hip hop scene has become of age. The present hip hop artist generation are out on the street, outdoing themselves with unbelievable, never-before-seen talent. We have finally found a signature beat that solely speaks and identifies as Kenyan Hip Hop.

Wikipedia, on Hip Hop: “…stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhymic speech that is chanted. It’s defined by four key stylistic elements: MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching with turntables, breakdancing and graffiti writing….”

Present day Kenyan hip hop outfits have perfected the art of sampling beats or bass lines from records (or synthesized beats and sounds), and rhythmic beat-boxing.

Salute:

Ethic Entertainment, Ochungulo Family, Boondocks Gang, KRG The Don, Magix Enga…….

*This list is not conclusive. It stars in a great extent, other equally talented outfits.

This new sound didn’t debut with the Z-generation artists. They have gone on to perfect the sound that debuted with the Nairobi club-banger by the artists Mayonde and Stonie Jiwe. The track was a huge success.

A few months back, Ethic broke out with a catchy, infectious track, tagged Pandana. That track received an instant stamp of approval by fans – who outdid themselves uploading short dance videos. More favorites followed in quick succession:

Na Iwake, by Ochungulo Family, that stars the amazingly talented Nelly The Goon and Benzema.

Rieng, a punchy rhyming track popular on the party scene, by Boondocks Gang.

Wabebe, by Gwaash ft. 34GVNG.

Amongst other awesome releases (it’s hard to keep up).

KRG THE DON
KRG THE DON

What greatly resonates with this new hip hop style is that the artists and their producers haven’t over-hyped the genre with an exotic, upper class feel that’s common with the older generation hip hop artists. The videos aren’t shot in upscale neighborhoods with heated swimming pools as a back drop, but in mid-level suburb streets – Dagoretti, Doonholm, Githurai and the ilk.

The cast do not break the bank dressing in Gucci and Armani. They do not use expensive jewelry and unrealistic, hired video vixens – madem wa mtaa wako tu sawa. Teens across the country appreciate and connect with this!

In the USA, that’s exactly how hip hop started in The Bronx, and became a revolution.

The only case of extravagance in a video appears on Mathogothanio by KRG The Don and Boondocks. The video has rides not for the everyday kid, up and including a Ford Mustang 2017 model (they are forgiven – it’s a huge track with awesome beat flow and seamless rap).

Self-appointed moral policemen would be quick to trash the new generation Kenyan hip hop music as ratchet level, vulgar and unsuitable for the average teen. It’d be wise to remember we, read millennials, have grown up on a dirty staple of American rap: Lil Wayne, T.I, Future, et al. These rappers are the real definition of dirty and vulgar. The real problem is that with Kenyan artists, you get to hear the actual lyrics.

Message? Be real, support your own.

P.S

In videos, videos, observe some restraint: Thou shall not have a dancer twerking seductively in the national flag. (The Na Iwake video).

Keep up the spirit. Let’s make this signature style truly Kenyan.

 

 

 

Video: Kameno Goro stars in Ethic’s new song ‘Figa’, SWAT drops killer verse 

Ethic has done it again.

The group that has four members, Swat, Rekles, Zilla and Seska has released yet another banger called “Figa”. Figa has Kamene Goro as the video vixen and is the first song from the group since landing a deal from AI records.

The video was done by VJ One and features media personality Goro in the video dancing with the young kids who are taking over the music industry.

Deal

Speaking of their signing, Ethic’s manager, John Mbugua said, “We are thrilled to join AI Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, Africa, and look forward to making good music and putting Kenya on the global arena.

“It’s a great opportunity for us musically, as it gives us a leg-up in coming up with projects that will leverage our influence and appeal in crossing the borders with our music.”

Watch the video below:

https://youtu.be/7R8fhgmSBYE

Former news anchor features as a video vixen in Ethic´s new jam

Former Ebru TV news anchor, Kamene Goro makes her debut as a video vixen in Ethic´s new song, ¨Figa¨.

The group popular for their ´Lamba Lolo´ track sought the services of the sexxy beauty in the song whose video is set to be released today.

 

¨Figa¨ is a song that speaks about the beauty of a well-endowed woman.

It is however set to be released under the group´s new management, Al Records label.

The producer, Motif released the audio to the public as they anticipate it´s video, one done by Director VJ One.

Additionally, ¨Figa¨ comes as the group´s first single under their new management.