Showbiz bloodline

Some of our local celebrities are related to illustrious relatives or ancestors. MATILDA NZIOKI and STEVENS MUENDO give an in-depth look at some of your favourite stars’ backgrounds

At the height of his fame last year, many argued that Daddy Owen was a better artiste than his elder brother Rufftone — a Kora award winner.

His two songs System ya Kapungala and Tobina ruled the charts and he won numerous accolades. Asked if he thought his brother was overshadowing him, a humble Rufftone could only laugh. "I am the one who has been mentoring him this far. How can I feel threatened by my own brother’s fame," he wondered.

Rufftone is said to have inspired his brother into showbiz, a fact Daddy Owen acknowledges. And their great success and consequent fame has come a long way.

"My mum and dad love music. At one time my dad tried to record himself but it backfired," he said.

In the local showbiz arena, a number of celebrities fame can be traced to several generations.

 

The Longombas

The Longombas duo of Lovi and Christian captured imagination of many pulsers.

The fraternal twins joined Kenyan music scene in 2002 with debut hit Dondosa and later they released Piga Makofi, Shika More and Vuta Pumz off the album Chukua.

Soon fame and fortune beckoned and doors opened for them across Africa. The twins became the most sought after group in East Africa, voted the Best East Africa Group during the Kora Awards held in South Africa in 2005. The twins’ success can be traced to their family background. Incidentally, they hail from a musical clan. Their late father Lovy Longomba was a founder member of Super Mazembe, while their uncle Vicky Longomba played for a while for TPOK Jazz. In fact, Lovi’s name is coined both from his father and uncle names fast two letters (Lovy + Vicky Longomba).

Both the elderly Lovy and Vicky Logomba were successful musicians in the same mould of their France-based cousin Awilo Longomba.

The younger Longomba siblings Richie Longomba and an older sister are also musicians.

 

Nyota Ndogo, Juma and the Abdallah’s

Nyota Ndogo’s decorated music career is not questionable, having risen from humble beginnings as a house help. The only thing that is rarely noted is songstress’s musical background. Rarely do we see articles on her musical roots. She is a sister to musician Juma Abdalla — the dude behind Juma Tutu band.

Their father Abdallah Hatibu was a lead guitarist with Simba wa Nyika at Saba Saba Club in Mombasa. Their mother Chrisine Mungala sang in a church choir. Nyota’s younger sister Lela is also a musician and has released hit single Nikimuona Yeye produced at Studio Jikoni in Ganjoni.

Awilo Longomba

E-Sir and Habib

If there is one musician who conquered the hearts and captured the imagination of Kenyan youth with great lyrics then it was the late Issa Mmari aka E-Sir. The self-proclaimed South C’s finest rapper was a trailblazer in the local music scene. His prowess inspired and encouraged his younger brother Habib and cousin Manga to become musicians.

Habib has filled his brother’s shoe and is a music career with an album due to be released anytime soon.

DJ Stylez and Madtraxx

Code Red supremo — Stylez — is an award-winning decksman, credited as one of the pioneers of celebrity disc jockeys.

His younger chubby brother joined Code Red as a DJ and is now setting standards as a rapper and producer with chart-busters like Big Shot and Get Down.

Chameleone and Weasel

Weasel was initially under Chameleone’s Leone Island before breaking away and forming Goodlyfe Crew with Mowzey Radio.

This caused a rift between the two brothers and reports emerged that they do not see eye to eye.

The brothers who were once bossom friends even collaborated on hit single, Bomboclat.

The Mayanja family however seems to have a musical gene. Humphrey, Jose, Weasel, AK47 and Lizard are connected are musicians. Only Henry Kasozi and sister Josephine have chosen different paths.

AY and Alpha Rwirangira

Unbeknown to many, Tusker Project Fame 3 winner Rwandan Alpha is a first cousin to Tanzanian gifted rapper AY.

"Alpha’s dad is my mum’s younger brother," AY told Pulse. The cousins recently sang together, where AY features in Alpha’s song Songa Mbele.

Tero and Vanessa Mdee

Popularly referred to as Tero, we know her for being the pretty face on KTN’s Str8 Up show and the sultry and daring host of The Velvet Room — a late night weekday show on Homeboyz Radio.
Coincidentally, Tero’s Dar-es Salaam-based younger sister is the MTV VJ. She won the Tanzanian edition of VJ competition. The Tanzanian girls both went to Greensteds International School in Nakuru, where Tero was a choir member. She notes that Vanessa encouraged and pushed her to do what she is doing currently.

Amani and Noelle

MTV-Award winning songstress Amani happens to be cousins with up and coming gospel singer Noelle.

Larry and Lavin Asego

Larry is now more of a radio host at Kiss 100, although he and Lavin play rugby. The youngest of the Asegos — Chris — also plays rugby, for Impala Club.

Dennis, Ken, Andrew and Kevin Oliech

Emulating their eldest brother, the late Steve Okumu who played for Gor Mahia before landing soccer scholarship to play in US, Dennis Oliech has inspired the rest of the soccer-playing brothers.

Kevin Oliech

They are popular for songs like Hallo Hallo, Honey and Sugar Mummy, which they did while their friend Andre.

John, Alph and Myke Rabar

The brothers are known to be part of the not-so-yesterday DJs in the industry, having started out in the 1990s, driven by the love for music.

Although Myke has left showbiz and is busy with the companies’ other over 10 subsidiaries, DJ John, the youngest of the Rabar brothers still spins on radio and on various gigs, besides heading some sections of the company.

Joey Muthengi and Holy Dave

Until recently, not many were aware that rapper, Changing Times actress and Capital FM and KTN’s Vibe City presenter Joey Muthengi is related to gospel rapper Holy Dave — celebrated for the crunk collabo Niko Na Reason with Eko Dydda.

"My brother is the one who actually pushed me to do music, particularly hip-hop," says Joey, adding that David Muthengi, alias Holy Dave acts as her manager.

Tony Msalame and Grace Msalame

The late Tony Msalame was among legendary broadcasters who ruled Kenyan airwaves since independence. The veteran broadcaster, famed for his Sheki Legi radio show on Metro FM in the late 90s and early 2000 who later opened his media company Sheki Studios in Mombasa is dad to TV beauty Grace.

Denis Oliech
She warmed her way into many people’s hearts when she was the host of KTN’s Str8 Up show, before moving to producing and presenting Art Scene. She is now presents news at Capital FM, following in her father’s footsteps.

Michael, Paul and Peter Oyier

They are commonly referred to as the Oyier brothers. Mike is the popular KTN TV anchor while his brothers are in theatre.

Peter Oyier and Paul J. Oyier produced the South African musical Sarafina at the Kenya National Theatre in May 2003 under their company Sterling Quality Entertainment Company. South African actress Leleti Khumalo (who played Sarafina) and South African lyricist Mbongeni Ngema praised the musical for its accurate and powerful portrayal of the world-acclaimed musical theatre piece.

Regina and Caroline Mutoko

Kiss 100 FM presenter Caroline might be more popular than her sister, but it was Regina who hit the limelight first when she co-hosted the television show Omo Pick A Box back in the 1990s, before going into the corporate world.

Mercy Myra and David Al

Her career kicked off back in 1996 when she sang in the Calabash Band that comprised of her aunt and her brother David Al, among other band members. Al nowadays does vocals for the band.

Juliana Kanyamozi and Laura Kahunde

The TPF judge’s younger sister, Laura Kahunde, is steadily following in Juliana’s footsteps.
When Juliana shone on the music scene, Kahunde started singing and now she acts as the back up for the 2008 Pam award Artiste of the Year.

And, following Juliana’s shot at acting in the movie Kiwani, Kahunde has also hit the film radar. She is one of the main characters in Mariam Ndagire’s latest film ‘Hearts; In Peaces’.

Nakaaya and Nancy Sumari

Nakaaya, the 28-year-old singer from Arusha was a contestant in the first Tusker Project Fame. Her song Mr Politician have been doing well on charts.

Her younger sister Nancy represented Tanzania in the 2005 Miss World, and although she did not win, she became Miss World Africa.