Why new age artistes are singing in vernacular

A collage of Octopizzo, King Kaka and Khaligraph Jones.

Singing in vernacular was almost always left to Benga artistes, but not anymore.

Then 125 featuring Mike Rua released 'How We Do', a fusion of modern-day hip hop with native Kikuyu folk music also showed us how diverse one can get.

Before urban artistes such as Rankaddah, Vicmass Luodollar, Smallz Lethal, Ayrosh and the likes of Raj, MC Sharon, Monaja, Brizzy, and Okello Max, there were superstars Gidi Gidi Maji Maji.

This new approach to music has been embraced by listeners from diverse backgrounds. It allows them to connect with their heritage while still enjoying a modern twist.

Now we have mainstream artistes such as King Kaka, Khaligraph Jones, Bahati and H_art the Band producing big hits while blending traditional elements with contemporary beats.

They have mastered the art of doing either renditions or collaborating with these artistes that have kept the scene alive. From Rhumba, Mugithi, Benga to Ohangla, you name it, they have tried it all.

"Singing and rapping in Luo gives me an authentic identity that I am about to market on tours with my band at home and abroad. I have performed in English, Swahili, Arabi Juba and even Kikuyu, but right there at the roots is where the authentic vibe is," says MC Sharon.

A bridge between old and new

Some of their works have also been praised for their ability to bridge the divide between traditional and modern music, allowing people of all ages to appreciate the beauty of different cultures.

"I chose this path because it resonates well with my people and culture. It doesn't necessarily conform to grammar rules as it allows flexibility that suits my style well. I also use it to break language barriers and it links well with my natives who find it easy to understand," says Smallz Lethal.

Their unique approach to fusion has allowed them to reach wider audiences and gain appreciation for their work from both mainstream and vernacular listeners both young and old.

"Vernacular hip hop is something that should be embraced rather than made fun of; especially if it's skillfully done with a plan for the brand in question. South Africans, Nigerians, Ghanaians and so many others embrace their ethnicity even in urban rap; unlike here where everyone wants to rap with an accent from abroad to seem cool," says MC Sharon

"This way, I have managed to stay relevant. My music has got huge radio rotation in most of the countries in Europe like The beat1036fm in London, Legacy FM in Manchester United, Global Soul radio in Manchester and Tide FM in Hamburg Germany just to mention a few," says Vicmass Luodollar. He turned into a nationwide star when his 2016 hit song Bank Otuch featuring rapper Octopizzo went viral.

Another performer who swears by the power of speaking in one's tongue is Ayrosh. He incorporates his Gikuyu tongue into his songs.

"I rarely write or perform music in English because I am passionate about Mugithi jams. I have a lot of pride in knowing that I share the music of our people, and it makes me happy when I see my fans jamming and plugging into the vibe," he has said in the past.

"I think it was Mandela who said if you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart," says rapper Monaja Mwenyewe.

Trial cypher all the rage

"I have a new project that should be coming out soon called Hip Hop Edutainment Tribal Cypher. This is a project that is aimed at uniting different tribes and shunning some social stigma that has been peddled around. This is also a way of pushing indigenous languages into modern rap," he says.

This project has enrolled a couple of rappers of Kalenjin, Giriama, Luhya, Kisii, Kamba, Embu Gikuyu and Luo ethnicities all coming up together for a cause. This will be Kenya's first-ever vernacular drill cypher.

"I started out rapping in Swahili and English, but I found my forte in rapping in Luhya. This was my stepping stone and from the day I released my first Luhya rap. I have never looked back and my fan base has grown in leaps and bounds. I would tell anyone, despite their age to embrace what they are best in. The cake is enough for all of us to get a piece," says Luhya Rapper Bryce One who is part of the cypher lineup.

A few years back, Kenyan bad Bengatronics dropped a collaboration dubbed Kiunga 2, a mix of folk and pop cultures of Kenya, Uganda and Morocco.

The album was an intense collaboration between Les Benagtronics from Kenya, Ugandan singer, songwriter and visual artist - Sandra Suubi, and Cheb Runner, electronic music producer from Morocco currently based in the Netherlands.

Then there was Michel Ongaro, a composer, performer and multi-instrumentalist from Kenya.

The album is a deeper exploration of the symphony of folk instruments, sounds and musical cultures as they manifest in the urban space.

What is driving this shift?

The project was a first of its kind as it sought to enhance intercultural and intergenerational dialogue and knowledge exchange, by exploring sampling techniques of the folk and pop instruments from Kenya, Uganda and Morocco.

There are many theories as to why more musicians are going down this route.

Music has become increasingly diverse and accessible. From streaming services to the emergence of alternative genres, music has seen a massive transformation over the last. This has been highly beneficial to the industry, leading to an increase in revenue and a larger fan base with a wider range of tastes and preferences.

Artists have also been pushed to explore new sounds and experiment with their artistry in order to stay relevant, which has resulted in a mixture of genres coming together and creating new styles.

As a result, modern music has been infused with traditional sounds and rhythms, creating an eclectic mix of styles that are unique to the country. This is an exciting development that has generated great interest among fans.

With the increased use of technology, new artistes are able to reach a wider audience and share their music with people around the world. This presents a unique opportunity for rising musical artists to gain exposure and garner a greater following in ways that were not previously possible.

With this newfound ability to reach a wider audience and share their music, the music industry is sure to be filled with talented & entertaining new artists in the years to come.

Kenyan music looks bright, as there are many talented musicians emerging from the country. These musicians are embracing their vernacular diversity, and drawing from it to create unique and captivating sounds with traditional instruments and modern production techniques. This is allowing for the development of soundscapes which capture the essence of Kenya, and its vibrant heritage.

The future is Kenyan

Additionally, an increasing number of Kenyan record labels and production companies have been established in recent years, providing more avenues for aspiring singers and songwriters to be heard.

This has resulted in a wider range of music being produced in Kenya, from traditional African songs to modern-day hip-hop and pop. The emergence of these production houses has further strengthened the presence of Kenyan music and artists on the international stage, with many Kenyan musicians now achieving global recognition for their work.

As such, it is likely that we will see an even greater diversity of sounds coming out of Kenya in the coming years, making its musical landscape one that is exciting and vibrant and it is likely that we will see an even greater diversity of sounds emerging from Kenya in the coming years.