MUSIC TO MY SOUL

09-1398

MUSIC TO MY SOUL        by Barbara Kioko

Do you have those days when everything just isn’t working out for you? A matatu splashes muddy water on you, you miss the bus and it starts raining all of a sudden? You reach home drenched and you scram into your room mad at the world. Then you turn on the radio and Dela Maranga’s sweet melodious voice comes up “Paukwa Pakawa umesaidia vipi wenzako hapa” and you can’t help but smile? Well I get this feeling pretty much every day and I owe it all to Afro fusion.

Afro fusion is a genre of music widely appreciated by many because of its rich content and the fact that it blends contemporary music with the African style of music. Drum beats from the djembe (a West African drum) to the rich voices and not forgetting the essence of staying true to being African, is a clear indication of the authenticity of Afro fusion music as a genre. A good example is Fena Gitu a fairly new person to the music scene. Her voice is fresh, crisp with lyrics on life- a relief from the love, relationship and partying theme that most songs by the “younger generation” are known for. It’s no wonder 17^th April Kinanda festival at Kifaru Gardens was fully parked when she was launching her journey in music.

 I’m sure most of you have heard of or attended the famous Blankets and Wine festival. Muthoni Ndong’a better known to her fans as “The Drummer Queen” (the brain child of this gig), came up with this idea to create a platform for artists to share their skills and their art in a relaxed and receptive atmosphere. Also to encourage domestic consumption of world class afro-based music, created and performed by African Musicians or those of African descent. The monthly turnout is really impressive and it shows just how much people out there love and appreciate this genre of music. Fancy dresses, exaggerated hats, masaai shukas, kikyos and big chunky accessories are the new items that many people dawn when attending this event. This is why many have been caught by the fashion police for what they would term as an “offensive” dress code.

Carol Atemi, Dela Maranga, Fena Gitu, Aaron Rimbui, Elani, Adwar just to mention but a few, are some of the talented artists who promise to keep their audiences entertained so long as they are willing to part with some money. Their passion to see the growth of Afro fusion is so inspiring it actually gives people the psyche to attend any event promoting Afro fusion. I look up to these guys hoping one day I’ll turn out to be just like them, or even better.

It doesn’t surprise me that when it comes to events such as Mashujaa Day, Jamhuri Day and the promulgation, the likes of Eric Wainaina are expected to sing songs that will remind Kenyans on the need to live in peace and harmony. This says a lot about the originality and focus Afro fusion has I don’t think I have to point it out. I believe all music is beautiful however; other artists can learn a thing or two from some of the Afro fusion musicians and eventually come up with songs that focus on human interest a topic we can all relate to.

If I had the power to limit airplay on songs that have an irritating catchy chorus, I would do so in the blink of an eye. I mean isn’t everyone tired of listening to the same kind of songs day in day out? Well I know I am and a few of my friends too. But then again I’d be dubbed to be authoritative and selfish by many.

Miriam Makeba known to many as Mama Africa once said “it’s a really unfair world because life is where I am; all day long we listen to American music. So I don’t see why the radios in the U.S. cannot even put aside one hour a day just to play music that is not American.” Is there much one can say after such a quote? I don’t think so but I’ll try; lets love life and good music.