Kalamashaka
Encyclopedia
Kalamashaka is a hip hop
group based in Dandora
, a ghetto estate in Nairobi
, Kenya
. It comprises three members: Oteraw, Kama and Johny. The group was formed in the mid 90's. They became popular with Tafsiri Hii hit in 1997. The group curtain raised for several international rap
stars among them Coolio
and Lost Boyz and have gone ahead to collabo with Dead Prez
and other international artists. They have performed in several countries like Nigeria
, Sweden
, Holland, South Africa
, Norway
among others. Kalamashaka crucially paved the way for Swahili
hip hop to become mainstream in Kenya. The group is popular with hardcore rap fans for their socially and politically conscious lyrics. Their first album Ni Wakati released in 2001 was a hit with South Africa's Channel O
playing one of the videos "Fanya Mambo" from the album. The album addressed street crime, tribalism
, politics and Africa's conflicts. Their popularity started to wane with the rise of Kapuka
and Genge
which were dancable and raunchy which a huge percentage of the youth prefer to the to listen to other than philosophical music. FM radio stations are reluctant to play socially conscious music typical of Kalamashaka leading to their fall from fame. However, the group has remained active and refuses to change with times and do commercial music. The group influenced others like Mashifta, Gidi Gidi Maji Maji
, K-South
, Necessary Noize
and a horde of other artists.
The group has helped other Dandora youths to start their rap careers. They are credited with forming the group Ukoo Flani Mau Mau which is a collection of about 24 rappers from Nairobi
and Mombasa
with a few Tanzanians. Ukoo Flani Mau Mau released Kilio Cha Haki album in 2004 and followed it up with Dandora Burning released in 2006. Their huge contribution and influence to the album is very notable.They do not receive as much radio play as genge or kapuka musicians but still have a large following.
Kama (real name Kamau Ngigi) released his first solo album Kamaa in 2009. The album was produced by Ambrose Akwabi of Mandugu Digital. In the meantime, Kalamashaka is working on thein album Hakuna Case. The album will be produced by the Sweden-basd Kenyan musician Ken Ring, who previsouly features on Klamashaka's song "Fanya Mambo"
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...
group based in Dandora
Dandora
Dandora is an eastern suburb in Nairobi, Kenya. It is part of the Embakasi division. Dandora is divided into five phases. Dandora was established in 1977, with partial financing by the World Bank in order to offer higher standard of housing . However, the estate has turned into high-density slum...
, a ghetto estate in 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...
. It comprises three members: Oteraw, Kama and Johny. The group was formed in the mid 90's. They became popular with Tafsiri Hii hit in 1997. The group curtain raised for several international rap
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...
stars among them Coolio
Coolio
Artis Leon Ivey Jr. , better known by the stage name Coolio, is an American musician, rapper, actor and record producer.-Late 80s:He recorded two singles in the late 80s, titled "Watcha Gonna Do" and "You're Gonna Miss Me"...
and Lost Boyz and have gone ahead to collabo with Dead Prez
Dead Prez
Dead Prez stylized as dead prez is a hip hop duo from the United States, composed of stic.man and M-1, formed in 1996 in New York City, New York. They are known for their confrontational style, combined with socialist lyrics focused on both militant social justice and Pan-Africanism...
and other international artists. They have performed in several countries like Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Holland, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
among others. Kalamashaka crucially paved the way for 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...
hip hop to become mainstream in Kenya. The group is popular with hardcore rap fans for their socially and politically conscious lyrics. Their first album Ni Wakati released in 2001 was a hit with South Africa's Channel O
Channel O
Channel O is a South African-based music channel which first started transmission in the early nineties. Its main concept is African music in Africa and the diaspora. Over the years, this music channel has made household names of its presenters such as Mimi, Nonhle, KB, Miss Candy.Channel O can be...
playing one of the videos "Fanya Mambo" from the album. The album addressed street crime, tribalism
Tribalism
The social structure of a tribe can vary greatly from case to case, but, due to the small size of tribes, it is always a relatively simple role structure, with few significant social distinctions between individuals....
, politics and Africa's conflicts. Their popularity started to wane with the rise of Kapuka
Kapuka
Griselinia littoralis, commonly known as Kapuka, is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree growing up to 20 m tall, though often much less, particularly in coastal exposure. It is native to New Zealand, where it typically grows in coastal locations...
and Genge
Genge
Genge music, or simply Genge, is a genre of hip hop music that had its beginnings in Nairobi, Kenya. The name was coined by Clemo and popularized by Kenyan rappers Jua Cali and Nonini who started off at Calif Records. It is a style that incorporates hip hop, dancehall and traditional African music...
which were dancable and raunchy which a huge percentage of the youth prefer to the to listen to other than philosophical music. FM radio stations are reluctant to play socially conscious music typical of Kalamashaka leading to their fall from fame. However, the group has remained active and refuses to change with times and do commercial music. The group influenced others like Mashifta, Gidi Gidi Maji Maji
Gidi Gidi Maji Maji
Gidi Gidi Maji Maji is a Kenyan hip hop duo from Nairobi. Its two members are Maji Maji and Gidi Gidi . Their lyrics are mostly in Luo language, with some English and Swahili. Unlike most local hip hop artists, GidiGidi MajiMaji do willingly mix African rhythms with their music...
, K-South
K-South
K-South is a hip hop production company who are among the pioneers of hip hop in Kenya. The group composed of two members, Bamboo KC and Doobeez , now Abbas. K-South was founded in 1995. Their name is an abbreviation of Kariobangi South, an estate in Nairobi where they were based...
, Necessary Noize
Necessary Noize
-Origins and Original Members:It was originally composed of female MC/singer Nazizi Hirji, singer Kevin Wyre and rapper Bamzigi, though Bamzigi later left due to personal and label disputes. The group was formed in October 2000 and released their self-titled debut album in 2000 under Audio Vault...
and a horde of other artists.
The group has helped other Dandora youths to start their rap careers. They are credited with forming the group Ukoo Flani Mau Mau which is a collection of about 24 rappers from 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...
and Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
with a few Tanzanians. Ukoo Flani Mau Mau released Kilio Cha Haki album in 2004 and followed it up with Dandora Burning released in 2006. Their huge contribution and influence to the album is very notable.They do not receive as much radio play as genge or kapuka musicians but still have a large following.
Kama (real name Kamau Ngigi) released his first solo album Kamaa in 2009. The album was produced by Ambrose Akwabi of Mandugu Digital. In the meantime, Kalamashaka is working on thein album Hakuna Case. The album will be produced by the Sweden-basd Kenyan musician Ken Ring, who previsouly features on Klamashaka's song "Fanya Mambo"
Ukoo Flani Mau Mau discography
- Kilio Cha Haki (2004)
- Dandora Burning (2006)
- Intro
- Chunguzia
- Mazishi
- Tikakunyaku
- Feel free
- Jesusnosis
- Tafsiri yale
- Piga bao
- Street hopping
- Mau double
- Vile si Huanga
- Constantly
- Stay strong
- Mara mia
- Mamau warfare
- Jah jah
- Umati
- Dandora burning
External links
- Kalamashaka -old website with some pictures
- Kilio Cha Haki (through archive.org)
- Ukoo Flani Mau Mau (through archive.org)
- Myspace page for Ukoo Flani