Keeping the Kenyan Hip Hop dream alive

                      Hip Hop Artiste Rawzbar of then Wenyeji Group Photo: Standard

With trailblazers such as Kalamashaka, Mashifta, Wateule and Wenyeji, Kenyan hip-hop went international. Rawbarz Wenyeji of the then Wenyeji group is still working hard to keep the dream alive and Pulse's AUSTINE OKANDE traces him in Paris, France, his new home.

Among hip-hop lovers back in the late 90s, Club Florida 2000 was the place to be every Sunday for the famous rap battles between artistes, both established and upcoming.

So popular were these battles that it was a must-attend for hip-hop big wigs, including hip-hop giants Ukoo Flani (Mau Mau Camp) who often graced the bouts to compete as well as spot new talent.

One of the famous victors of the Florida 2000 rap battles was Robert Githure alias Rawbarz Wenyeji a lyrical genius who became a popular name in the hip-hop fraternity after he joined the Mau Mau Camp in 1999.

Rawbarz Wenyeji is a founding member of Wenyeji, an affiliate of Ukoo Flani Mau Mau that comprised  Rawbarz and Zakah.

However, according to Rawbarz Wenyeji, his real debut in the showbiz industry was in 2001 when Kalamashaka invited him to accompany them to Tanzania to record their first album, Ni Wakati, which was produced by P-Funk aka Manjani. Rowbarz Wenyeji featured in Mangirima one of the hit songs on the album that also featured Nazizi, Mashifta and Wateule.

In a recent interview with Pulse, Rawbarz Wenyeji who is currently based in Paris, France said it was the release of Tafsiri Hii by Kalamashaka and Mpaka Saa Ngapi by Warogi Wawili (M.C. Kah and Brayo) in the late 90s, that inspired him to start writing his music in sheng.

He describes his music a medium that seeks to address real issues that affect the society on a daily basis.

Tracing the genesis of his deeply ingrained passion for hip-hop, Rawbarz Wenyeji says that growing up listening to American hip-hop artistes the likes of Wu Tang Clan, Guru, Nas, 2Pac, Biggie and Rakim had a lot of influence in his music.

It was after winning more than ten competitions as a solo artiste and three as Wenyeji that they went ahead and recorded the DC na SISI hit with Zakah and Kamah (K-Shaka).

“In 2002 we became a duo, the same year Nguchi-P introduced his clique Ukoo Flani to the Mau Mau Camp,” he remembers.

In 2003 and 2004 these lyrical ‘godfathers’ worked on Siku Njema, their first album that became popular across East Africa. In fact they were the first artistes in the country to sell thousands of CDs and merchandise at the then British Council’s WAPI event.

Wenyeji travelled to Zanzibar, South Africa and Tanzania; in 2004 they participated in Kilio Cha Haki and the Dandora Burning projects, sponsored by Kwani Trust.

As Wenyeji they released their second album Taifa Leo in 2008. Rawbarz Wenyeji launched a project at the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) where he taught rap and music skills to a class of 30 children.

He has been away from active local showbiz for nearly five years, and says that he is still actively involved in music in France where he lives with his family.

His sophomore album Majukumu and mix tape called African Rap Service were released in France last year and have seen him perform at different events across Europe. He says he is working on a second album titled Paris, Rouen and at the same time is pursuing other musical projects with Tanzanian based hip-hop group Watengwa on their album titled Ile Laana Maisha Yetu, which is under the East Africa Rise Up project.

In France he produces his music at Labo Klandestino Studios. Rawbarz shot over 20 music videos with Wenyeji and as a solo artiste he has shot six videos with his latest Until Dawn, set to be released in Kenya this November.

Rawbarz and Zakah met at Tom Mboya Primary School where they were classmates and shared a passion for music.