Celebrities unveil their hoods

                     Refigah and Kidis              Photo: Courtesy

 

Now, if you thought all celebrities live in the leafy suburbs of Nairobi, you are mistaken. In this light read, Pulse unveils the hoods where your favorite stars live

Ongata Rongai

Ridiculed for its distance and for that case nicknamed 'the Diaspora', this place also popularly known as Rongaa, has a number of celebrities among its 40,000 population. Those who have presently built a nest here are rappers Xtatic and Chiwawa, Didge, Hapa Kule show comedian Fred Omondi, Ayeiyaa Poa Poa and film director Bob Nyanja. A little while back, Bob’s house was burnt to ash after fire broke up. The thespian, however,has no intention of living anywhere else as the house has been rebuilt from the ground up and is now almost complete. Eric Omondi is laying a stone for his home here too.

South B

At the top of South B’s head lies a crown due to its army of personalities. Avril, Kenzo, Fred Omondi, Redsan, Trapee, DJ Bash, Homeboyz Radio presenter Rachel Muthoni, comedians Jalang’o and Owago Nyiro, Gabu of P-Unit, Gor Mahia players Patrick Uboya and Kevin Omondi, Paul Were of AFC Leopards, and a painter Adam Masava.  Several Production houses Main Switch, Ogopa Deejays, Boomba Video, Ketebul music and Ulopa are here too. Yes, it was just recently when Nameless and Wahu as well as Pierra, Amani, Chantelle, Sarah Hassan, Sishiki Simu singer Marya, Boomba video's director Thomas Mboss aka Thome and Kendi among others moved from South B. It is also the home of most celebrated TV hosts like KTN’s Ahmed Darwesh among others.

Kasarani

You can feel hip-hop is alive the moment you enter this place. And it has to be with artistes like Zakah, Shiko Femi 1, and Vic from Walanguzi . Mostly are underground rappers like Roba, Kiz (who featured Walanguzi in the song Yule Boy Mbad), Razini, Ghetto Scholar, Energy, Pato, Tende Kali Crew, Jagas and Samantha. Music producer Reez of Timam Records and Lamba Tumbukiza of Music Empire Records are the top stables that signs artistes in that region.

Roba, who recently released a song Tunaifanya na Passion with Zakah, informs us that the place inspires his artistry.

“Many youths around this place associate themselves with hip-hop more than any other genre. For me, what goes on here and the everyday happenings are reflected in my music,” he reveals.

Donholm

The Eastern suburb has estates such as Jacaranda, Sunrise, Savannah, and Greenfields where Ala C lives. Kunguru, Nasty Thomas, Kanda King, Hussein Machozi, Kelma, Pili Pili, Moustapha and Anto Neo Soul, among others, are from this place too. The Fundamentals singer Ken wa Maria, has his name at his gate, visible for everyone’s eyes.

Kariobangi South

Taking up the name K-South, these hood claims hip-hop league artistes Abbas, KC and Bamboo. Also growing up from this place are the pair, XYZee, made up of the short-locked singers Alex and Santoz who used to rock the entertainment scene with songs like Tafuta and Kinyama. A fraction of the Sauti Sol, Polycarp, and gospel songstress Size 8 also grew up in this neighbourhood. Polycarp now stays in the leafy suburbs Kileleshwa while Size 8 was in South B a while back before she moved with celebrity husband DJ Mo to Ridgeways.

Kibera

The celebrated rapper Octopizzo derived his name from the hood he sings praises to for making him the kind of a man he is through the struggles he experienced growing up. In his free time, the rapper is probably chilling with Mike Sonko in Runda.

Grandpa Records founder Refigah, has also been staying in Kibera before he moved out recently. Other celebrities brought up here are Larry Asego, Kris Darling, Kavyo Kforce, and YGB members. Rapper Chiwawa also lives these sides while gospel girl Dee lives around Valley Arcade same as the Real Solo.

Carlifornia

It has gave birth to renowned artistes from Calif Records studios such as the self-proclaimed King of Genge, Jua Cali, the God Father Nonini, Clemo, Pilipili, the late Lady S, Mejja, Mahatma, Flexx, Circuite and Joel.

Buruburu

A part of the Eastlands in Nairobi, Buruburu boasts of celebs such as Daddy Owen, Nonini, Daniel Peter who plays Arthur in the TV series Mali, Daniel Weke, Delvin of Sauti Sol. FBI dancers and Al Qaeda dancers.

Mathare

The Gospel hit maker Bahati has roots in this place, and he is still here. Others who bear a special place in their heart for this place are Eko Dydda, Willy Paul, Mr Seed and the Gospel group BMF.

Athi River

Situated along Mombasa Road, this place hosts among them Kendi, Mdomo Baggy, Philo of Main Switch, and Banda of Ogopa studios. Jaguar also moved those sides recently.

Dandora

Popularised as a Hip-hop area by the Kalamashaka singers, Oteraw, Kama and Johny, this place has also gave birth to Wakamba Wawili duo, Zakah and Kah, Black duo, Mashifta (Kitu Sewer and G-wiji), L-Ness, Gidi Gidi, and Maji Maji.

Githurai

It hatched Mr Googz, Vinnie Banton, and Mr. Lenny close to ten years ago and later relocated to different places. The celebs currently behind the throne here are Masha, a Calif Record artiste, Gazza of Ukoo Fulani, James Karanja, a gospel musician, and a couple of underground artistes.

South C

The feted, the late E-Sir, his brother Habib, Manga, Big Pin, the Longombas, Wyre, Baby One, Robatta and the late K-Rupt of the Tukawake fame and who was shot dead in 2003 all hail from South C.

Along Thika Road

Jua Cali, who has been a vibrant resident of Cali, moved to Kahawa Sukari estate along Thika Road, and so did Clemo. Olympia and the Kamua Leo singer Kidis too stay here. The Thika Super Highway makes it easy for access to the CBD.