E-Sir
Encyclopedia
Born Issah Mmari, on May 20, 1981 in California Estate, and raised in South c
estate Nairobi
, Kenya
, E-Sir was a Kenyan hip hop
artist signed to the Ogopa DJs
label who was famous for his deft lyrical ability and command of the Swahili
language. He is still widely regarded as one the best rappers to emerge on the Kenyan hip hop scene. He first came to be known in 2001 by his song "Jo", a song done in the same style as Black Rob
's "Whoa." The song proudly declared E-Sir's arrival on the Kenyan music scene and was featured on the Ogopa DJs
debut album . He went on to release his debut album "Nimefika" in 2003 which was a big hit with virtually all the songs on the album becoming radio singles. He won 4 categories in the 2003 Kisima Music Awards
.
E-Sir died in a road accident on March 16, 2003, while in the company of fellow label mate Nameless
. He was on his way back from a concert in Nakuru
town that was to help promote the album. His fans were shocked and grieved for days on end after hearing the news of his death. His death was considered coming at a time when his career was starting to take off. His other hits include "Mos Mos," "Boomba Train," "Hamunitishi" and "Leo ni Leo." His only posthumous song was the collaboration between him and Nameless
called "Maisha".
E-sir's younger brother Habib
is also an upcoming rapper in the Kenyan music industry. He has couple of singles to his name, some of them with his partner Manga.
Nominations
South C
South C is a middle-class residential estate located in the southland area of Nairobi.It lies next to Wilson Airport and is also bordered with South B & Langata estate. Close to its outskirt surrounding near [angata estate, lies the famous Kibera slums...
estate Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, E-Sir was a Kenyan hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
artist signed to the Ogopa DJs
Ogopa DJs
Ogopa Deejays are a Kenyan music production team and record label formed in the late-1990s which gained regional fame and popularity due to standards of their production work.- Background :...
label who was famous for his deft lyrical ability and command of the Swahili
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
language. He is still widely regarded as one the best rappers to emerge on the Kenyan hip hop scene. He first came to be known in 2001 by his song "Jo", a song done in the same style as Black Rob
Black Rob
Black Rob is a rapper who was formerly signed to Bad Boy Records.-Music career:Black Rob began associating with the label as early as 1996, appearing on the Bad Boy remix to 112's "Come See Me"...
's "Whoa." The song proudly declared E-Sir's arrival on the Kenyan music scene and was featured on the Ogopa DJs
Ogopa DJs
Ogopa Deejays are a Kenyan music production team and record label formed in the late-1990s which gained regional fame and popularity due to standards of their production work.- Background :...
debut album . He went on to release his debut album "Nimefika" in 2003 which was a big hit with virtually all the songs on the album becoming radio singles. He won 4 categories in the 2003 Kisima Music Awards
Kisima Music Awards
The Kisima Music Awards is an annual awards program that recognises musical talent in East Africa. Despite being Kenyan-based the scheme awards artists from a variety of countries, predominately Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and incorporates a range of music genres.-History:Named after the Swahili...
.
E-Sir died in a road accident on March 16, 2003, while in the company of fellow label mate Nameless
David Mathenge
David Mathenge , better known by his stage name Nameless, is a Kenyan pop artist.- Biography :Mathenge was educated at Strathmore School, He rose to fame in 1999 through a star-search contest on Kenya's urban music station 98.4 Capital FM, which he won with his original song "Megarider." The song...
. He was on his way back from a concert in Nakuru
Nakuru
Nakuru, the provincial capital of Kenya's Rift Valley province, with roughly 300,000 inhabitants, and currently the fourth largest urban centre in the country, lies about 1850 m above sea level...
town that was to help promote the album. His fans were shocked and grieved for days on end after hearing the news of his death. His death was considered coming at a time when his career was starting to take off. His other hits include "Mos Mos," "Boomba Train," "Hamunitishi" and "Leo ni Leo." His only posthumous song was the collaboration between him and Nameless
David Mathenge
David Mathenge , better known by his stage name Nameless, is a Kenyan pop artist.- Biography :Mathenge was educated at Strathmore School, He rose to fame in 1999 through a star-search contest on Kenya's urban music station 98.4 Capital FM, which he won with his original song "Megarider." The song...
called "Maisha".
E-sir's younger brother Habib
Habib
Habib is an Arabic male name with the meaning "beloved", or "darling", it also appears as a surname. The name is popular in the Middle East, Africa, and France.-Given name:* Habib Beye , French-Senegalese footballer...
is also an upcoming rapper in the Kenyan music industry. He has couple of singles to his name, some of them with his partner Manga.
Nimefika album
Track listing for E-Sir's Nimefika album, which was released under Ogopa DJ's- 1.Jobless corner 1 (Skit)
- 2.Kamata
- 3.Bamba
- 4.Moss Moss
- 5.Saree
- 6.Jobless Corner 2 (skit)
- 7.Lyrical tongue twister
- 8.Hamunitishi
- 9.Boomba Train
- 10.Leo ni Leo
- 11.Nimefika 'Jo'
- 12.Saree
- 13.Kamaiko (skit)
Awards
Won- 2003 Kisima Music Awards2003 Kisima Music AwardsThe 2003 Kisima Music Awards signalled a revitalisation of the scheme. They were held in a customised "Kisima Dome" and hosted by radio presenters Bernard Otieno and Pinky Ghelani.-Winners:-External links:*...
- Song of the Year ("Bumba Train") & Best Male & Hip hop Artist of the Year, Album of the Year ("Nimefika")
Nominations
- 2003 Kora AwardsKora AwardsThe Kora Awards are music awards given annually for musical achievement in sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in 1994 by Ernest Adjovi, they are comparable to the American Grammy Awards in intent...
- Best East African Artist - 2004 Tanzania Music AwardsTanzania Music AwardsTanzania Music Awards are national music awards held annually in Tanzania. It is also known as Kilimanjaro Music Awards or Kili Music Awards after its sponsor . The awards were established in 1999 by the National Arts Council under the Tanzanian Ministry of Education and Culture.- External links...
- Best East African Album ("Nimefika")