Ssaru News Archives

20 year old Ssaru on how she remains afloat while other Gengetone artists complain of financial struggles

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Pauline Syombua

Rapper Ssaru is among the pioneers who came up during the Gengetone wave giving fans what they had been missing. Her unique sense of style and vibe contributed to her success in the industry and just like that – Ssaru was making money left right and center.

At 20 years she’s managed to bag a couple of millions and deals which explains why unlike other Gengetone artists complaining of financial struggles – Ssaru remains financially stable.

Well, for a woman her age – this is actually a big deal and a great example, for other artists to emulate. Anyway speaking to presenter Ali recently, the young lady opened up revealing how she has managed to remain afloat and her secret is letting her money work for her.

Ssaru – Everybody has financial struggles

According to Ssaru, having artists suffer financially is not something new. It is a problem that has been there for years, and the reason new age artistes are inheriting it; is because they never take time to learn from the mistakes made by fellow artistes in the past.

Having mastered this art, Ssaru says most of the money she makes ends up working for her.

One thing I did is knowing how to manage my finances. You may get 1 million today and think you’ve made it – but without investing it for more profit it’ll eventually run out, right?

Apart from that, she also avoids making bad financial moves – hence the main reason she keeps a small circle of go-getter friends who also positively influence her life.

I also checked on the company that I keep. You know to grow, you need people who can influence you positively and those who share the same vision as you.

ONE ON ONE: Why Breeder LW and Ssaru don’t mind dating sugar mummies or sponsors (Video)

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Caroline Mukami

Many people have different opinions when it comes to relationships and everyone has something they are looking for in their partners. When it comes to choosing one’s partner, age is one of the vital things to consider.

Also read: ONE ON ONE: “Acha kukataa na pesa zangu!” Breeder LW calls out Benzema (Video)

For some artists however, age is just but a number. In an interview hosted by Caroline Mukami, Paul Baraka alias Breeder LW and Sylvia Saru, popularly known as SSaru decided to shed some light on this matter.

Breeder LW

The Ni Kubaya hit maker said that he does not mind dating a sugar mummy as long as she is helping him achieve his dreams and ambitions.

When asked how old is too old for him, the rapper confirmed that he would not date a woman who is 40 years and that 34 to 36 years is okay for him.

He does not agree with the idea of just sitting down and enjoying the ride though. “Bora ni sugar mummy wa maana,” Breeder LW explained.

Ssaru

When the same question was put across to SSaru, she confidently agreed that she would also date an older man as long as he also supports her goals.

The 18-year-old singer also confirmed that she is single. I am sure this gave a lot of the suitors hope as she did not also specify the age range of the sponsors that she would not mind dating.

There you have it. For the sugar mummies and sponsors who want to win Breeder LW and SSaru hearts, I just got you some leakage. May the best suitors win!

Watch the interview below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFfPPfBBaaN/

10 Kenyan artists whose concerts you must attend when lockdown is finally lifted

Posted on September 14, 2020September 14, 2020 by David Kingsley

With the significant reduction of positive COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks, it seems things will soon go back to normal and the restrictions that had been put in place to curb the spread of the deadly virus will be lifted.

Also read: What next for Kenyan entertainment after COVID-19?

Measures such as banning large public gatherings and ordering the closure of clubs and have denied many Kenyans a chance to socialize and see their favourite artists performing live for a whole 6 months.

As such, I decided to write down a list of Kenyan artist who I feel many people, including yours truly, are eager to see performing on stage. Here are their names in no particular order and to be honest I don’t mind if someone can get all of them to do one show.

1. Mejja – Okwonkwo as he is popularly known has been on a roll since the year began. He has dropped fire collabos and I believe many people are yearning to see him on stage because he’s a showstopper.

Mejja

2. Sauti Sol – If you watched Sauti Sol’s virtual concert last month then I’m sure you can’t wait to see them on stage soon because nothing beats a Sauti Sol live experience.

Sauti Sol

3. Nadia Mukami – She is arguably the biggest female artist in Kenya at the moment and to add to that, Nadia has also released many jams during the social distancing period that many people would want to see her performing live.

Nadia Mukami

4. Otile Brown – The mellow-voiced singer whose real name is Jacob Otieno Obunga dropped a fire album during the social distancing period and watching him perform those songs live will be an unforgettable experience.

Otile Brown

5. Khaligraph Jones – The OG or Papa Jones has also been working really hard and if you have ever attended his show then you know that he means business when he gets on stage.

Khaligraph Jones

6. Ssaru – I know many of you can not wait to see this lass performing because she literally blew up when we were in lockdown. To add to that, she has some dope wordplay and rhymes.

Ssaru

7. Timmy Tdat – I had to include the Dus Nyau hitmaker because his energy when he is on stage is unmatched. If you attend his concert, you go home feeling like you got value for your money.

8. Willy Paul – During the lockdown, Pozze has dropped collabos with Mejja, Nadia Mukami, Bien Aime, Ruby and done many successful single projects. Therefore, you just have to see him performing live.

9. Moji Short Babaa – If you are a promoter and you want an urban gospel artist who will pull huge crowds to your event then look no further than this chap.

Moji Short Babaa

10. Mbogi Genje – Many of us have gotten to see Gengetone groups like 34 GVNG, Sailors, Ochunglo Family, Ethic, etc. performing but we are yet to see Mbogi Genje and that would be an awesome experience because they are unique and so taleneted.

Mbogi Genje

Willis Raburu’s weeks-old ‘Kalale’ tune goes viral, hits 1M views on YouTube (Video)

Posted on September 10, 2020September 10, 2020 by Gloria Katunge

Willis Raburu meant his word after revealing he would be going into music for his love of Gengetone and trust you me, he just went Big with his debut hit!

August 28, the kid paired up with Ethic’s Rekless, fast-rising rapper Breeder LW, Genge star Mejja and beauty queen, Ssaru for their jam Kalale.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7Kf-QJgpk/

Also read: Wild reactions after Willis Raburu’s controversial post of ratchet Kenyan socialite (Photo)

Barely a week since, the video directed by veteran Kenyan producer, J Blessing clocked a solid 1M views and over. Impressed that it actually worked to his advantage, the Citizen TV journalist aka ‘Bazu’ screamed at the top of his voice;

THANK YOU! WE DID IT! YOL DONT KNOW HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO ME!! 1 MILLION VIEWS IN A WEEK!

Also read: “It felt like a stab wound to the heart,” Willis Raburu’s ex, Marya Prude speaks for first time since nasty breakup

It was not even about the massive reception but the fact that he dared to dream that he would one day find his place in the music industry and shocking enough, it blew right before his eyes. His first track had garnered so many views to his utter surprise.

For a start, for a DREAM I HAD! FIRST TIME! Thank you for believing in a dream and a vision!

Having gone viral, just like South Africa’s Jerusalema anthem, Kenyans have already stated a #kalalechallenge to mark the signature debut that was served hot!

Fans took to the comment section to laud the Wabebe fanatic for a job ruthlessly done!

_epic.ngaash_ Bazuu iendelee kuwaka???????? 4ever????????congrats men..mmefika place fiti

ziro_jeremih This is Fiiire????????????

mike_santos_mc

Baaazu????????

godfrey_jaafar

Hatariiii????

Congratulations to the team! Watch:

Mejja is undeniably Kenya’s king of collabos

Posted on September 3, 2020September 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

If you’re a Kenyan musician and you want your song to do extremely well, then you have no other option than to look for Major Nameye Khadija, known to you and I as Mejja. The rules are quite simple.

Also read: We want the old Mejja back and we are not joking

Mejja is proving to be the King of Kenyan collabos with every subsequent release. Interestingly, very little is heard of Kristoff who held that position for a very long time but that is a story for another day, isn’t it?

Mejja with Femi One on Utawezana

Since the year began, every song that he has been featured on has topped East African charts, including the latest one with Jovial dubbed Pakate. It was released barely 48 hours ago yet it has already crossed the 160,000 views.

Of course, we have to mention Utawezana, where Mejja was featured by Femi One. It is literally the biggest song this year. We can argue until the cows come home but we both know that I’m right.

Others are Prakata, that Mejja did with Willy Paul, Kalale – which he did with Willis Raburu, Ssaru, Breeder LW and Rekless, Watoto Na Pombe, where he was featured by Otile Brown.

Mejja poses for a photo with Willy Paul

There’s also Wanani Remix where Mejja outshone every other person and Mpenzi Mtazamaji, which he did with his longtime friend Madtraxx and Ochunglo Family.

Clearly, this lad is on a roll because all the aforementioned songs are big hits. All of them. And to think that there was a time when people, including myself, said that he lost relevance after joining The Kansoul.

What drove most of us to this conclusion was that he was no longer the comical story teller that most of us grew up to love. Somehow, lost this special skill that set him apart after teaming up with Madtraxx and Kid Kora.

The Kansoul

If you are keen, I am sure you’ve have noticed how has been re inventing himself, trying to get back to the Mejja who treated us to hit like Kuliendaje, Poa, Barua, just to name a few.

That explains why every artist wants Mejja on their song. He has rediscovered himself, if that makes sense, so every jam that he is on just does well. He’s like that one ingredient that if you add to your food, it makes a big difference.

There’s a lot that that artists who are trying to make a comeback on the local music scene can learn from Mejja and that is the power of patience and re-invention. He should probably do a masterclass.

We have not seen the best of Mejja yet. Word is going around that he will soon drop another song dubbed Wamocho with Mbogi Genje and my good friend Richy Haniel. Even before I hear it, I know that it will be a big hit.

Mejja with Richy Haniel and members of Mbogi Genje

Breeder LW comes through on ‘Kitu Nono Remix’ alongside Ssaru, Maandy and Boutross (Video)

Posted on April 15, 2020May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

The much-anticipated Kitu Nono Remix by Breeder LW, Ssaru, Maandy, Boutross Munene, Denzel Kong and Mastar VK is finally out and it’s a big tune.

Also read: Gengetone is still alive, kind of

If you thought the original version, which was released in December 2019, was dope then you haven’t seen anything yet because the remix is out of this word, quite literally.

Boutross Munene

To be honest, I’ve listened to Kitu Nono Remix a couple of times and the more I play it is the more I love it because it is so infectious.

All the artists who were featured on this track brought their A-Games and I find it hard to decide whose verse I loved the most because they all nailed it.

Take for instance Breeder LW who is on the first verse. His flow and wordplay skills are so dope and you just want to keep listening to him as he does his thing because it sounds so pleasant to the ears.

Ssaru

The two ladies on this jam i.e. Maandy and Ssaru also killed it. They both have good lyrical skills and I would not be surprised if either of them becomes Kenya’s next biggest femcee.

I’m a huge fan of Boutross Munene, who is one third of the Alliance Domini Family (ADF), so naturally you’d expect me to say that he did a good job but believe you me, he really came through on this one.

Denzel Kong and Mastar VK did not disappoint either. Both of them have some great punchlines that will leave you scratching your head as you try to make sense of it all and that is not a bad thing or is it?

I really love the beat on this jam. If you ask me, the producer deserves a pat on the back for the good work. The video is also awesome, with some impeccable shots.

Watch Kitu Nono below and tell us what you think.

Ssaru enlists Virusi Mbaya and Teardrops for ‘Sanitize’ (Video)

Posted on April 7, 2020May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

Gengetone artist Sylvia Saru, alias Ssaru, has dropped a new jam with Virusi Mbaya and Terdrops to sensitize people about Coronavirus which has claimed more than 25,000 lives across the world since December 2019.

Also read: Ssaru, the undisputed queen of Gengetone

The song titled Sanitize, which means to disinfect something, aims at creating awareness about the deadly virus that claims lives within days after getting infected so that people can get how serious it is.

Virusi Mbaya

This track also points out other things that are ailing Kenyans such as; unemployment, corruption, drug abuse, poor infrastructure, inadequate leadership, crime and whatnot.

I don’t know about you but I think this jam is really infectious. I’ve listened to it couple of times since it was released and every time I play it, it feels like I am hearing it for the very first time. Yup, it’s that good.

Other than the fact that Sanitize carries, I am sure that after listening to it, you will agree with me that it’s a beautiful composition. It sounds very pleasant to the ears.

The artists who were featured on this track were well thought out because they really bring out the best in each other and are also good on their own.

Ssaru

Take for instance Virusi Mbaya, who I must say I’m a big fan of. The Kibera-bred rapper had a sick verse on this jam and to add to that, his flow is impeccable.

Of course, Ssaru also aced it. She has a unique ability to play around with words and she is the reason why I can not get enough of this song because she killed the hook.

The spoken word by Teardrops was on point. Believe you me, his punchlines will make you scratch your head as you try to make sense of it all.

Notably, the beat is also dope. Other than the fact that they make the song catchy, they also blend well with the flow of the artists.

Listen to Sanitize below and tell us what you think.

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

Artist Spotlight: Ssaru, the undisputed queen of Gengetone

Posted on March 16, 2020May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

For a long time, Gengetone was dominated by guys and many people often wondered whether it was a male genre as the ladies steered clear of it.

Also read: Gengetone is still alive, kind of

Then somewhere along the way, a pretty lass known as Sylvia Saru emerged. Most of us first came to know her after a video of her free-styling went viral.

Ssaru

In the video, which was posted in November 2019, Ssaru proved to Kenyans that she did not come to play. She had a distinct flow and to add to that, her rhymes were epic.

Soon after that, she dropped another freestyle with E.que before releasing her first single titled Weka about a month ago. Ssaru has since released two other songs titled Dhudha and Weka.

Though she is barely six months old in the Kenyan music industry, this lass has earned a legion of loyal followers and some have even labelled her the undisputed queen of Gengetone, something I agree with.

Ssaru

She is really dope and if you are a fan of Gengetone, like myself, then I am sure that her music will resonate with you and you might even become a die hard fan.

Also read: Kenyan female musicians should put in more work in 2020

The one thing that I love most about Ssaru, other than her good looks of course, is the fact that she is versatile. Today you’ll find her singing Gengetone, tomorrow it will be Trap, the next day it will be dancehall.

I mean, what more could you ask for? Ssaru is a full package. My only wish is that we see more female artists who are willing to step out of their comfort zones like her. Enough said.

Watch her latest single titled Weka below and tell us what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wLZkIFQ8pU

Rico Gang drops sizzling jam ‘Piki Piki Maua’ alongside Ketchup and Ssaru (Video)

Posted on March 11, 2020May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

Rico Gang, the Kenyan Gengetone group that is behind hits like; Chachisha, Bluetooth Device and Kimonyoski, has dropped a new track with Ssaru and Ketchup from Nigeria and it is getting a lot of love from their fans.

Also read: Gengetone is still alive, kind of

The song dubbed Piki Piki Maua, which is currently ruling the airwaves, is based on a childhood game that I am sure most of the people who are reading this article are familiar with.

Ssaru

If you don’t know it then you did not have a blast like the rest of us when we were young and it shows. Anyway, I am just kidding. Let’s get back to our review.

This jam is really awesome. It’s so dope. I’m a huge fan of the two artists who were featured by Rico Gang on this jam i.e. Ssaru and Ketchup and that only means that I have to like it.

All the three members of Rico Gang i.e. Harry Craze, Tirand Rands and Gray Cee did such a good job on this track. If you ask me, I’ll tell you that there is no jam by Rico Gang that does not slap hard.

These guys have a dope flow and mad punchlines and I mean all of them. However, if I had to pick one then I would go for Harry Craze because of his unique voice. He’s just awesome to listen to.

Rico Gang

Like I mentioned earlier, I am a fan of Ssaru. She is so dope and it is not a surprise that she has been nicknamed the queen of Gengetone. This lass has some dope wordplay. Trust me.

Ketchup also did a good job. He added some Nigerian vibe to this track and it sort of spiced it up. He also had a very sick verse which blended well with those of Rico Gang and Ssaru.

The beat and instrumentation are also catchy and it makes you feel like hitting the club the moment this song comes on. The video was impeccable especially the styling and scene transitioning.

Watch Piki Piki Maua below and tell us what you think. Enjoy and kudos to Rico Gang.