The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
19 years ago, the Kenyan music scene lost one of its most priced assets. On that fateful day, Issah Mmari aka E-Sir, died in a tragic accident along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway on his way back to Nairobi from a concert at Afraha Stadium.
At only 21, E-Sir had made such a huge impact on the showbiz industry and his songs are still popular to date.
Taking to social media today, celebrities including Nameless, Wahu, BigPin Jatelo among others poured their tributes in remembrance of the fallen hero.
Nameless and Wahu paid tribute to the late rapper while celebrating some of his favourite works.
“19 years since you left us, 16 March 2003. Love and Miss you bro! You still inspiring the new generation with your awesomeness! Fam, what’s your favourite Esir Jam…mine was “MossMoss”, “Leo ni leo” and of course “Boomba” he posted.
Nameless has time and again intimated that E-Sir saved his life as they were in the same car and the deceased swapped seats with him.
"We performed the night before, and we were all rested. We departed from Nakuru at around 11am and got distracted by the view of Lake Elementaita for a quick second. That was the last conversation we had. The car had started to veer off the road, and when the driver tried to get back to the road, he lost control, and we rolled a couple of times. Apparently, E-Sir did not have his safety belt on at the time.
"On this day, a dark cloud covered our skies as we lost one of Kenya's finest and most gifted musicians to ever hold the microphone. His lyrical delivery and command of the Swahili flow was unmatched. Even long after his death, his music and legacy still lives on and on in our hearts. We miss you bro, till we meet again," said Nameless while eulogizing him last year.
Earlier this year, Nameless partnered with Nelly the Goon, Habib, Dmore and Trio Mio in an urban pop cross-generational collaboration in ‘Bandana ya Esir’ that aimed at remembering the star by introducing his legacy to the younger generation.
“Bandana ya Esir is set to celebrate a Kenyan Icon and with the need to introduce his legacy to younger the younger generation. The song comes from the younger inspired generation guided by the veterans who knew him. It comes at a symbolic time that Esir would be turning 40,” said Nelly the Goon.
Also read: Kenyan artistes unite to celebrate E-Sir
In another post on the same subject, BigPin Jatelo poured his heart out. “19 years ago we lost a talented musician (E-Sir) who had brought the music industry to new heights with his album (Nimefika). His name still lives on. Promised to keep the fire burning,” he wrote.
"We should put E-Sir's portrait on the Sh 2,000 Shilling note, rename South C to E-Sir and erect his statue on top of KICC," wrote Silas Gisiora Nyanchwani.
