The hot and new bandwagons

Hitting the notes with rare ingenuity, their soulful mellow voices blends and their lyrics ooze a pure innocence of love.

Malenga wa kubadili zao nia, kama una masikio sikia, usije basi ukapuliza gunia, ?na wenye roho nyepesi watasengenya, hawatatuombea, na mi nishakupenda wee, kwa wazazi nikupeleke, na mi nishakupenda wewe... wewe…

Wambizzy, a third of the new talk-of-the-town band, Elani, introduces their Milele hit with such sheer sweet melody.

This Sol Music Entertainment produced song and its well-choreographed Enos Olik directed video is a masterpiece that can melt even the devil’s heart. You can’t help falling in love with such harmony.

Released three months ago, the sophomore release by the versatile band — comprising old college buddies Maureen, Brian and Wambui — was dropped when the band was still marvelling at the awesome success of their debut release of their new album, Jana Usiku, another story-line penned melody that was released in September last year. Unknown to many, Elani started off years ago with songs like Barua ya Dunia, which is now being re-recorded, failing to propel them to mass appeal. Back then bands such as Just-a-Band and Sauti Sol were leading the new evolution that had started with groups like Jabali Africa, Gogosimo, Kayamba and Yunasi but however not fully accepted by the youthful lot that then worshipped the western inclined swagged-up beat.

Fusing warm resonant Afro-pop with an urban touch, Sauti Sol’s mélange of energetic rhythms gave birth to a new Kenyan sound, as the group led the way to become one of East Africa’s most celebrated groups. Just like Elani, the all boy-band encompass the band’s unique mix of soulful voices with vocal harmonies, guitar riffs and drum rhythm.

It goes in history that the four members, Chimano, Polycarp, Bien and Delvin, opened a whole new chapter in Kenyan music when they released their debut single, Lazizi. They were a fresh sound, cutting their own niche with their distinct and acoustic sound won many hearts.

They too tackled everyday issues as seen in Lazizi, a song themed around a guy asking a girl, Lazizi, out and then later getting harassed by police.

This is the same direction Elani took with Milele, a rather vibrant urban feel melodious songs about real everyday matters.

In less than a year since the group got its lifeline, the three pals have been dominating concerts and airwaves, going ahead to give Sauti Sol a run for their money. And just when you thought they had given their best, about three weeks ago, they released Kookoo, an even edified smash love track that has literary become a household song and urban anthem.

As much as they may not accept, the timing of Sauti Sol’s sexy laced track Nishike (Touch Me) barely a week after Elani released the killer hit was seen by critics as a strong counter to Elani’s rising appeal and prominence that no doubt touches on Sauti Sol’s following.

Ironically, the two groups have lately been working together in what seems yet another calculated move to popularise the new sound, which they now term as the real East African sound.

“We have been working closely with Sarabi and Elani and ours is not competition as much as every group has to keep its head up, individually,” Anyiko Owoko, Sauti Sol’s publicity manager told Pulse.

“We have been consistent in our effort to create the new East African sound that will have a mass appeal across the region and we are happy that Elani and Sarabi are now well accepted. We are well behind their success,” Anyiko added.

“Knowing where Sauti Sol has come from and what bands are now up to, I would say the future belongs to bands. We interact a lot with other groups and knowing how much time and seriousness all these bands invest together making music, I would warn that this in not a hobby. We are not a passing cloud,” compliments Wambui.

Unlike solo artistes, bands are quickly becoming accepted in corporate and social circles due to their ability to appeal to the general masses as many a times, the lyrics of their songs cut across all ages.

The melody in their songs and the catchy lyrics almost similar to the love ballads the Bongo Flava genre has enjoyed over the years also seems to be a winning formula that has the entire region accepting the bands evolution.

Unlike hip hop, kapuka and genge, genres that only appeal to a particular age, bands are providing whole family entertainment and therefore getting accepted even at the pulpit.

In fact, fun lovers attending events are now demanding live music as opposed to playbacks therefore giving bands an edge against solo artistes.

According to Elani, real life challenges have been an integral aspect in creating their catchy lyrics. Full family entertainment being their focus, the group says the age has come in the local entertainment scene for fans to get quality music and value for their money, a fact that sees them devote many hours planning their projects and practicing together.

“It takes a lot of patience, dedication and team work for a band to excel. We have been together for over six years now and all along this is the time fruits have begun to show,” Elani tells Pulse.

“It has been a challenging process but worth the while. Competition has been stiff but everyone has his or her time to bloom. We would like to show people that one can actually live out of music,” the band member adds.

“When it comes to bands, presentation becomes more versatile. The different music aspects and perspectives come to live when you are a band. Everyone in a band has their strength and that gives more power to bands. Its team production,” Elani notes.

Not so long ago, the band performed at Mavuno Church, this raised eyebrows of course because they clearly are not a gospel group.

“We might not be outright gospel but that does not mean we are not believers. After all, our songs are about experiences that everyone goes through. Unless there is an argument out there that Christians do not fall in love, we fit well in singing in church,” they explain.

 “We admire the bold steps that the church make. Our music is made for all generations and that is what church is all about,” Elani adds.

Besides Elani, Sauti Sol, Sarabi and Adawnage, many other youthful bands are joining the bandwagon. Their names may not be out there yet but they are gradually growing. Bands like Dexterity Music, Le Band, Ricky Na Marafiki, H_Art, The Band, Le Tortue, Gravity Band and Threat the Band are making good music and performing in different events.

Sarabi, for example is becoming popular. It comprises eight members, a predominantly male band with only one lady singer.

 “We were discovered by George and he has been our mentor since then and is now our mentor, he showed all of us where our strengths are in music and got us started in the industry,” says Nelson Mandela, lead singer of the Sarabi Band.

The band members explain that they make music to document their life experiences and the culture of Kenyans.

“We want the generation that comes after us to get a point of reference on how things used to be done in our times, for them to understand their culture,” says Sarabi. With a collabo with Juliani and a video to their single Sio Lazima, Sarabi are out to make themselves a household name too.

 “We are currently working with Electra Afric Deejays and this single will show just how diverse we are,” they remark.

Adawnage, a gospel band that comprises of 14 members, has been in the scene since 2008 and is also experiencing a quick rise with singles like Safari, Naomba and Uwezo enjoying high rotation.

 “It is amazing to see people write to us or call us saying that they owe their conversion to us. That means we are making a positive impact in the society,” says the group.

Just like most of the other bands, the compliment what other groups have been doing in changing the local music landscape.

“We love Elani, their vocals are amazing. They have the potential to become Kenyan’s biggest band,” they confess.