Joseph Kamaru
Encyclopedia
Joseph Kamaru is a benga
musician from central Kenya
. He is a leading Kikuyu musician, who has sold about half million records.
Kamaru is from Kangema, Muranga District
. In 1957 he went to Nairobi where he got a househelp job. He started pursuing music in 1965, when he listened on the radio the Mbeca Ithiragira Urakua song by Mwangi wa Gachau and stated he could do even better music.
Kamaru made breakthrough in 1967 with his hit Celina. He was at the height of his musical career between 1975-1985. In the late 80's he was the first Kenyan artist to play at the Carnivore Restaurant
, then only hosting foreign artists. According to Martin Dunford, the owner of the restaurant, Kamaru's vibrant performance opened doors for other Kenyan artist to perform at the venue.
Many of his songs were political, either praising or criticising the government. Initially he had good relationships with president Jomo Kenyatta
, but after writing a song condemning the murder of Josiah Mwangi Kariuki
in 1975 Kamaru fell out with Kenyatta. After Kenyatta died, the next president Daniel arap Moi
restored the confidence on the artist. In 1980 Kamaru toured Japan as a part of President Moi's entourage. After the visit he composed Safari ya Japan praising the president. But the President was not pleased with Kamaru's support for multiparty democracy in the late 80's.
In 1993 he turned from secular to Gospel music and disbanded his previous group, the Kamaru Supersounds. The conversion saw plunge in his record sales, but Kamaru does not regret abandoning the success he had as a secular musician.
Kamaru is the chairman of Kenya Association of Phonographic Industries (KAPI), and owns a church ministry in Nairobi. He also runs two record stores in Nairobi.
Benga music
Benga is a genre of Kenyan popular music. It evolved between the late 1940s and late 1960s, in Kenya's capital city of Nairobi. In the 1940s, the African Broadcasting Service in Nairobi aired a steady stream of soukous, South African kwela, Zairean finger-style guitar and various kinds of Cuban...
musician from central 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...
. He is a leading Kikuyu musician, who has sold about half million records.
Kamaru is from Kangema, Muranga District
Muranga District
Murang'a is one of the districts of Kenya's Central Province. Its capital town is also now named Murang'a but was called Fort Hall in colonial times . It is inhabited mainly by and is considered the home of the Kikuyu, the largest community in Kenya. The district has a population of 942,581...
. In 1957 he went to Nairobi where he got a househelp job. He started pursuing music in 1965, when he listened on the radio the Mbeca Ithiragira Urakua song by Mwangi wa Gachau and stated he could do even better music.
Kamaru made breakthrough in 1967 with his hit Celina. He was at the height of his musical career between 1975-1985. In the late 80's he was the first Kenyan artist to play at the Carnivore Restaurant
Carnivore Restaurant
Carnivore is an open-air restaurant in the Langata suburb of Nairobi, Kenya. Carnivore's specialty is meat, and features an all-you-can-eat meat buffet. They serve a wide variety of meat and are famous for their game meat. It is a popular tourist destination....
, then only hosting foreign artists. According to Martin Dunford, the owner of the restaurant, Kamaru's vibrant performance opened doors for other Kenyan artist to perform at the venue.
Many of his songs were political, either praising or criticising the government. Initially he had good relationships with president Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyattapron.] served as the first Prime Minister and President of Kenya. He is considered the founding father of the Kenyan nation....
, but after writing a song condemning the murder of Josiah Mwangi Kariuki
Josiah Mwangi Kariuki
Josiah Mwangi Kariuki was a Kenyan socialist politician during the administration of the Jomo Kenyatta government. He held different government positions from 1963, when Kenya became an independent country, to 1975, when he was assassinated. He left behind three wives and many children.-Early...
in 1975 Kamaru fell out with Kenyatta. After Kenyatta died, the next president Daniel arap Moi
Daniel arap Moi
Daniel Toroitich arap Moi was the President of Kenya from 1978 until 2002.Daniel arap Moi is popularly known to Kenyans as 'Nyayo', a Swahili word for 'footsteps'...
restored the confidence on the artist. In 1980 Kamaru toured Japan as a part of President Moi's entourage. After the visit he composed Safari ya Japan praising the president. But the President was not pleased with Kamaru's support for multiparty democracy in the late 80's.
In 1993 he turned from secular to Gospel music and disbanded his previous group, the Kamaru Supersounds. The conversion saw plunge in his record sales, but Kamaru does not regret abandoning the success he had as a secular musician.
Kamaru is the chairman of Kenya Association of Phonographic Industries (KAPI), and owns a church ministry in Nairobi. He also runs two record stores in Nairobi.