5 Most Overplayed Songs In Matatus

Kenyan matatus provide great entertainment to passengers. If you live in Kinoo or Kikuyu, I am so sorry but this is not for you. I know how boring your matatus are. Anyway, there are always those soul-nourishing tunes that we here everywhere we go. You know, guilty pleasures and crowd pleasers that have a special place in our hearts – those songs can stay.

But then there are those infuriating tracks that pervade your listening habits like some sort of incurable disease with no end in sight. No matter what matatu you board, these songs just never GO AWAY. They are there to stay and annoy for years to come.

Whether a song is amazing or total nonsense, it can fall victim to the one thing that we all hate: overplaying. So here it is, a compiled list of the 5 most horrifically overplayed songs in matatus over the past year .

Free Up (Martin Luther Black) – By Busy Signal

If you go to YouTube, 95% of the comments on this song are from Kenyans.  I’ve never understood where the obsession comes from.  The tune does have all the elements of an anthem with some of the most unique beats in reggae history but it’s gotten kinda stale. With an overload of memes, references, parodies, quotes from the song, etc., it is all over social media and it seems like everyone won’t stop playing it every possible second they get. Busy Signal is still my favorite Jamaican artiste though..

Huwezi Nidandia – By Kush Tracy

The song was already a lyrical mess to begin with. Like, how do you tell a guy ‘huwezi nidandia’, then merely seconds later, you go on to tell him ‘ntakufunga kama tap……nikuchew kama khat’? Those are two conflicting messages. But hey, it’s catchy. I feel like Kush Tracey will release more music but no one will care. As far as anyone is concerned, Kush Tracy is ‘Usinidandie’ forever. Sorry siz, just sit back, count your shillings and prepare a CV to apply for a real job as your track is played once again, somewhere in a Rongai matatu

Ayaya – By Majic Mike ft. Kris Eh Baba

This is one song that’s more popular than the person who made it. But for heaven’s sake, if I hear ‘Ayaya’ one more time, I’m going to jump of the nearest proverbial bridge. I almost did not want to include this song because I used to get so hyped whenever it used to come on. But I feel like the fact that I used to enjoy it and now hate it is a better reason for me to include it on the list. Nowadays I get pissed the moment I hear the very first note of this song. I immediately feel the blood boiling in my veins and my hand instantly jumping to put earphones on. Congratulations matatus, you ruined a magnificent track for me.

Chekecha – By Ali Kiba

Ali Kiba is a great artiste whose songs always go insanely viral but ‘Chekecha’ was too much. Every corner you turned, matatu you boarded or station you turned on, ‘Chekecha’ was there lurking about to fill your ears. This should have stayed on as a classic but unfortunately, matatus milked it dry. Don’t play this song near me unless you are ready to suffer the consequences.

Wale Wale – By Chameleone

 Whether it was through Maina Kageni or the driver’s own selection, this song was played more than it should have. It was one of my most favorite Chameleone songs and I would have loved to  listen to it for years to come but my ears  just can’t take it anymore. Before even the conductor finishes saying “Pesa huko nyuma tafadhali”, you hear ‘Wale Wale’……aargh