Forget the conventional wisdom that a great pseudonym is critical for a musician looking for a big break as some ohangla stars call themselves weird stage names, writes CAROLINE NYANGA

It is said that a great stage name fits like a great pair of well-worn jeans offering an opportunity to convey your music and image as well as protect your privacy. But there are many musicians world over whose names does not ring a bell. Perharps following Shakesperean qoute: What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Locally, the weird name bug seems to have caught mostly ohangla musicians whose great music does not match their monikers.

Meet musician Omondi Long’lilo whose name can be loosely and literary translated as ‘Omondi wearing only a trouser without under garment’. He hails from the lakeside where the funny stage names originate.

Do not get us wrong. We are not trying to drag this particular community known for coming up with these creative names in this article.

Maybe the musicians are just getting a way to cope with stiff competition in the industry.

Crooning like a bird

Well, their names include Ouma Basement, Onyango Alemo, Aboyi Landlord, Osogo Winyo and Omondi Long’lilo, among others.

Ohangla star John Okinyo aka Osogo Winyo which can be loosely translated to ‘Weaverbird’ says he inherited part of his name from his father, also known as Osogo. The second part of his stage name was adapted from his mother’s shop Osogo Winyo.

But he adds that his fans decided to call him the pseudonym due to his ability to stage exceptional shows. And true to his words the musician who croons like a weaverbird has released three chartbusting albums, Mela Nyakodongo, Agengo and Wan Ji Ariyo.

Osogo Winyo’s name cannot match singer Martin Otieno’s choice of Rangi Rateng’ as a moniker. The upcoming musician whose stage name means ‘Black Colour’ explains that fellow musician Atomi Sifa (loosely translated to Atom Praise) — who nowadays looks light-skinned after bleaching — nicknamed him after impressing during a concert.

"My good performances prompted Atomi Sifa to come up with the stage name which stuck and my fans liked," he adds that the name Rangi comes from his father. Currently performing in clubs; he boasts of three albums Joy Mboya, Winnie Nyar Apache and Chano Pesa en Gimarach.

Exit Rangi Rateng’ and enters a musician who rapper-cum-producer Majimaji of Unbwogable fame call the 2Pac Shakur of Ohangla music in Odhiambo Achar aka Aboyi Landlord. The super talented singer’s moniker can be translated to A Boy Landlord. The question that goes unanswered is where is A Girl Tenant?

However, he says the name Landlord comes from the property he owns. "I have several houses in Sori and hence the name Landlord." The musician has since released three albums, Muk Lela, Milly Nyarongo and I Love You.

Well, as the music landlord bows out, we usher in Joshua Ogada Ogutu who loves the colour of cash and goes with stage name Ajos Kathousand. The musician who has released two albums, Ukimwi Ya Tisha and Asembo Wuod Republic says his name stems from days he used to work as a fishmonger.

"At the time I had only thousand shilling note and hence the name Kathousand coined by fishermen. With time it became popular," he explains.

Exit Mr Moneybags of music and enters former choir singer from Apostolic Church in Sigomere (Siaya) in Peter Onyango Adik aka Onyango Alemo — which can be translated as Onyango I’m Praying — with hit album, Night Oberana.

"I began doing secular music in Nairobi and decided to stick to it after realising that it suited me," he says.

Music referee

From the former choir singer enters music referee in Bernard Omondi aka Omondi Refa who traces his moniker to his primary school days at Laluoka Primary (Nyanza).

The singer who performs at Kuche Kuche at Nyayo stadium is fast-rising.

"I recall the headmaster once asked me to referee during school games and soon most of my schoolmates nicknamed me Refa.

"When I first began singing I used my real name which did work well and therefore switched back to Refa and the following was amazing," explains the musician who is famed for the albums Jokanyuola and Ochung Tir Ma Mungu Ochweyo.

As the referee takes backstage enters the ‘unofficial father’ of Ohangla music in Onyango Bernard whose fans fondly call Onyi Papa Jey.

He says the name Papa was given to him by fellow musicians due to his dancing prowess. "I was once a Lingala dancer for a Tanzanian known as Babire Youngster. The name Jey symbolises my fun loving nature as a musician," says the musician known for his albums Raila ODM and Mapatano.

And if music were a storeyed building and you have visited all the top floors then we take you to its basement where you meet Charles Ouma aka Ouma Basement, a moniker that does not need translation.

The captain

"I got the name while playing alongside Ken Wuod Alego at Club Basement in Kisumu," he explains. Ouma, who has five albums, is currently based at Ahero.

From basement we meet fun loving Kennedy Ochieng’ Lore aka Ken Jaraha (Party animal) whose albums Otunga Jarongo and Mark Matuga are currently selling briskly.

And finally the captain of the funny names is none other than John Olima aka Roy Captain. "The name Roy John was given to me by my grandmother way back as a child while Captain came when I was in High School due to the fact that I was the scout’s captain since Class four. I’m the captain in music," he adds.

Others include Okinyo Black Currant, Asam Jakosoko, Ogola Nyundo, Nick Jakom and Bozi Boziana just to name a few.