Juliani’s Pulpit Kwa Street Album is Out!

 

julianiJuliani. The conscience of the streets. The urban poet. Lyricist par excellence.

 

Possessing an unmatched socio-political nous, beautifully tempered in spirituality, Juliani comes correct with a message of religious, social and political emancipation, fresh and relevant in today’s society. His sleek lyrical flow and passionate delivery have gotten him hailed as “an important voice for our time” (Eric Wainaina).

 

 

Juliani grew up as part of a large family, with one sister and five brothers. He was born and bred in the high-density sprawling eastern suburb of Dandora, and it wasn’t long before the cultural hip-hop influences of the area began to rub off on him. Recognized as the spiritual home of many Kenyan hip-hop icons, idolized musicians Kalamashaka and Ukoo Fulani sprung to notoriety from this area, and heavily influenced him.

 

While in high school, his interest in rap peaked, and soon his sleek lyrical flow and passionate delivery saw him introduced to Ukoo Fulani, and with them he performed at various local gigs and clubs.

 

In 2001, the group released their first full-length album, Kilio Cha Haki, produced by the Amsterdam-based Red-Nose Distrikt producers. Even though it featured heavy hitters such as American rapper RhaGoddess and local heroes Kalamashaka, it was little surprise when Juliani’s Fanya Tena was selected as the single to spearhead the record. Their second album was the critically acclaimed underground classic, Dandora Burnin’, and again, Juliani’s song, Jesusnosis, which went on to become a hip-hop classic, was selected as a single.

 

Juliani was then quickly snapped up by Kijiji Records, a label led by local music pioneer Kanjii, formerly of Milele. There he teamed up with KORA nominee, Astar, and other musicians to set up the Hip-Hope unit. Together they have toured numerous schools and colleges, and released three compilation albums. Since then, Juliani’s star has continued to rise steadily, with many of Kenya’s top artists looking forward to working with him.

 

He has collaborated with the likes of KORA winner Eric Wainaina and Afro-fusion sensation Kanjii, as well as Kisima Nominees Holy Dave, and Wenyeji, to name a few. Following the post-election violence in Kenya in early 2008, he got together with other top name artists to record the multi-award winning Wakenya Pamoja single and video. It incorporated over 30 different acts, including comedian Churchill, Suzzana Owiyo, Abbi, Pete Odera and Rufftone, among others.

 

Very socially conscious, Juliani has supported causes such as the World Vision Peace Tour (around Kenyan cities & towns), Vina Na Maana (a campaign against Economic Partnership Agreements), Stand Up Against Poverty (UN Millennium Campaign For MDG’s), and has been a facilitator at the NCA conscious music workshop, not to mention his support for the monthly WAPI (Words & Pictures) initiative. His exploits have seen him perform at the annual Zanzibari music festival, open for Jamaican reggae sensation Chevelle Franklin, and partner with innovative French electro-fusion outfit Kanine Records.

 

In 2008 Juliani scooped awards both in Kenya and in the U.S., the former being a Groove Award for hip-hop song of the year (Mtaa Mentality), and the latter a Talanta Award as the coveted male artist of the year. Juliani was the first ever Kenyan artist to be signed to a full-fledged UK-based record label, Gatwitch Records. The result of that partnership is the very highly acclaimed 13-track solo album Mtaa Mentality, released in late 2008. A long-serving radio presenter, Eve D’Souza, prompted every lover of conscious music to get their hands on that album.

 

The future could not look brighter for this freakishly talented lyricist. Yet amidst all the excitement, Juliani stays grounded and never loses his focus.

I want to bless the world and we want souls to get saved,

he says.