The Comeback Groups

The longomba brothers Lovi and Christian

They are a perfect example of the group that reigned strong before making a sudden disappearing act at a time when they were at their peak. Their song Vuta Pumz won them several local awards including the much-coveted Kora award in 2007.

But before this, Longombas first hit song Dondosa released in 2003 quickly catapulted them into the limelight. Other popular songs from their debut album Chukua included Chukua, Makofi, Shikamore, and Usinihande just to name a few.

But then came the end of the year 2007, and Lovi met Kenyan US based musician Ida Onyango, at the local Kisima awards. The two became close and within no time, Longomba brothers who had been denied visas for reasons best known to the embassy, left for a tour in the USA accompanied by their manager Banda of Ogopa DJs. But what surprised many of their fans is that Christian came back alone. Lovi was rumoured to have decided to live with his lovebird Ida in America. In the meantime, Christian released a single Kioo, which apparently didn’t do too well. A few months later he followed his brother to the US where they are currently settled.

Their latest song is My Queen is done in English, and in a different style from their songs. The songs are currently topping most of the local radio station charts.

Tatuu

Left to right- Shinde, Rabbo and Debbie aka Tatuu

Their first single Teso released in 2003, became very popular among both the young and old.

Produced by Ogopa DJs at the time, some of their songs included Haiya, Songea Napepea and Jua Ya Nyesha which were club and TV hits. Yuwapi recorded by producer Musyoka then at Homeboyz was equally well received among the local music fraternity. But as fate had it, the trio decided to take a break. Debbie Asila, one of the Tatuu trio, was expecting a baby. Rabo was busy doing her legal internship before being sworn in as a lawyer in 2007.

Shinde on the other hand worked as a PR at TAC Advert Companies before moving to advertisement section at Homework Advertz, where she is currently based. But then come early this year, and Ulopa, their producer, has the three comely lassies back in full force with their single Solophobia. According to the trio, they will soon be completing their debut album, which should be ready befor ethe eyar ends. And with Ulopa on their side, we feel sure they will not re-elope on Pulsers.

Habib

Just like his late brother E-Sir, Habib and Manga rocked the local music scene with their debut release Dunda. Came 2004, and Habib dropped another hot one recorded by Homeboyz Fever. But for reasons best known to him, perhaps the pressure to live up to the legend of E-Sir, Habib decided to take a break from the music scene for a period close to one year. "I was busy doing other things which could not allow me to record at the same time," he un-specifies.

In 2006, though, he released another single featuring Richie Longomba by the name Bata. And it seems there was no stopping him as other single like Zuka featuring Kenyanna and James recorded by Majimaji followed in 2007.

Habib who says he will continue to release singles in single doses doesn’t plan on dropping an album. Music is ‘a part time hobby’ and he has not made up his mind whether or not to pursue it as a full time career.

Kalamashaka

Kalamashaka (aka K-Shaka) is a hip-hop group based in Dandora, a ghetto estate in Nairobi, Kenya. ‘Kala’ comprises three members: Oteraw, Kama and Johny. The group was formed in the mid 1990’s. They became popular with Tafsiri Hii in 1997. The group curtain raised for several international rap stars, among them Coolio and Lost Boyz, and has gone ahead to collabo with Dead Prez and other international artists. They have performed in several countries like Nigeria, Sweden, Holland, South Africa, and 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 danceable and raunchy, a huge percentage of the youth preferring to listen these ‘boomba’ other than philosophical music. FM radio stations are reluctant to play the socially conscious music, typical of Kalamashaka and this led to their fall from fame. However, the group has remained active and refuses to change with the 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 start their rap careers. They are credited with forming the group Ukoo Flani Mau Mau that is a collection of about 24 rappers from Nairobi and Mombasa, with a few Tanzanians in the medley of melody.

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 notable. They do not receive as much radio play as genge or kapuka musicians, but still have a large following. Kalamashaka will forever remain legends in the history of Kenyan rap, of which they are heralds.

Kalamashaka brought the light for upcoming and future artists within the rising Kenyan generation of musicians. After taking a very long break they have made a grand comeback with their latest album Guess Who?

Mahatma – Like a Group

The joyous Mahatma (Galib Juma) ventured into music in 1999. He was confident and determined to do better than Kalamashaka who were a hit by then. He formed a five member group called Gazab Squad and recorded the song Gazab Anthem of Scratch Records. After the song, the group broke up in 2000 because the rest of the members were not interested in music. That was when he joined Calif Records, a newly formed studio that was steadily rising. Though at first he seemed dormant, he exploded with a hit song Pande Zote Mbili in the year 2002.The song received considerable airplay, and subsequent shows all over the country. After then, he was to be involved in another deadly hit in 2003, a trio collabo, Mtu Saba

Though he was active in the studio recruiting new artists and helping them as they record, he lay low musically to concentrate on private business. Early 2007, he proved that he was still musically tough when he was featured by the king of Genge in the heat song, Bidii yangu. It clearly showed without reasonable doubt that Mahatma is one of the most talented singers under the sun and his voice can attract fans from any corner of this planet. The virtuous God fearing Mahatma then returned to the music scene with a big bang dubbed Msha Ambiwa. He was in the verge of releasing his debut album Fikra zangu when things took a U- turn for him. Those close to him claimed he was "extremely unwell" forcing him to lay low and recover.

He later left for Mombasa where he is currently doing well both in health and his well of creativity. Like Jua Cali, Mahatma is a man of many hats with the ability to create both wealth for himself if at full flow, but more so, a wealth of poetic, haunting lyrical songs if he can start his comeback strong …

Klepto

Kleptomaniacs M4E album proved beyond reasonable doubt that they were indeed a force to reckon with around 2005. Songs like Swing Swing, Tuendelee ama Tusiendelee, Furahia, Kabeibe, Freak It, and Mimi Bado Niko topped local musical charts besides becoming a must play in various local clubs, catapulting them to a different level of entertainment. But then for some reason, the trio chose to do collabos with various artistes. Collo did a hit song with Nikii dubbed Hii Ngoma.

Roba did Waria with KJ and Nyashinski did Bad Boy with Amani. Of the three collabos Bad Boy was a huge East African hit that shot both Amani and Nyash up the local showbiz stratosphere. Many other collabos followed. But soon, Nyashinski left for the US. However, this did not deter the two remaining Kleptos from doing solo projects. According to the duo, it was their goal to get the feel of going it alone, to help each other grow musically. Besides, they were also involved in creativity on TV, Scripts writing for arts and campaign concerts working with Safaricom, Coca-Cola, Cadbury, Tusker and Trust condoms. But then this year, Klepto is back with a new album called NITT (Now Is The Time), which will be dropping soon. They believe it will be one of the best albums of this year – and have flung down the ‘Come-Back Kids’ gauntlet.

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