Nothing stops ‘Mama Afrika’ from singing unique styles

By CAROLINE NYANGA

The dimly lit stage was set with the state-of-the-art musical equipment. Revellers streamed inside the lavish KICC Tsavo Ballroom ready to sample rich and scintillating sounds.

This was during the eighth session of Kisima Awards aimed at recognising the East African music and equally rewarding them.

Nothing stopped fans from diverse communities joining in the exclusive premium show that saw Judith Bwire popularly known as ‘Namacheke Mama Afrika’ alongside her band members thrill revellers with the best of African traditional tunes.

The moment ‘Mama Afrika’ was introduced on stage the crowd went wild.

Dressed in unique African traditional regalia, Bwire thrilled fans with some of her best tunes leaving the crowd yearning for more even when her time was up.

In between her performances, she ensured fans were entertained with some of her tantalising music comprising a blend of popular Kenyan Afro-fusion with elements of East African traditional tunes.

As if this is not enough she went ahead and played various musical equipment like nyatiti, orutu and horn, as fans cheered.

“I realised my chances of winning as a new comer were limited considering I was competing against local bigwigs like Dan Chizi Aseda, Wahu, Sanaipei, Wakahalf, Kamande Wa Kioi, Vincent Ongidi and Otieno Aloka,” she recalls.

Winner in own right

But despite this ‘Mama Afrika’ feels she is a winner in her own right. The fact that she made it among the few nominees is a sign that she is headed in the right direction.

 Already she has produced an album, Mama Afrika, which is sung in Luhya and tinge of Swahili language.

“Here the arrangements are unique because we use live instruments like nyatiti, orutu, horn, cultural elements, among others,” she adds.

The 11-track album comprises her original Afro-Fusion compositions with a distinctly western Kenyan feel fused with East African Benga that defines her musical, linguistic, and cultural journey.

 She started out as a dancer for several local dance troupes including Amani, Taffi, Chatu and Kenge Kenge.

“I performed with different musicians besides sharing stage with Gravity band. At some point I featured as a group member in international festivals when I accompanied Kenge Kenge band in festivals across Europe, including huge festivals like Womad in the UK, Womex in Denmark and Spring Festival in Israel just to name a few,” she says.

Some of the songs include Mama Afrika, Sikhai Malo, Pole Pole, Epondi, Siamugera, Achali and Dodo. Bwire has also collaborated with various musicians among them JP Ngandu formerly Senza Musica – currently bandleader Super Mbali Mbali.