13 years of Pulse: When Kenyan artists were paid with ugali, sukuma wiki and soda for shows

By Caroline Nyanga | 7yrs ago | 4 min read

A joke is often made of how Longombas, one of the biggest Kenyan music groups of the last decade could once not afford to open a bank account.

Then signed to Ogopa Deejays, the artistes are said to have been earning so little from their concerts that all they earned could only be kept under a pillow.

At the time, the likes of Chameleone and Bebe Cool, some of East Africa music bigwigs were so broke that at one point Chameleone used to sleep in a servant’s quarter in South B, a small room Ogopa Deejays had gotten him.

This is how far back Pulse magazine has seen the showbiz generation come.

“I recall earning the paltry sum of Sh5,000 in my biggest shows,” recalls Chris Kantai rapper who later got so depressed about the meaningless gains he was making from so much hard work that he slipped into alcoholism.

“Most times we were forced to do shows for free and would only end up being given a plate of ugali, meat, vegetables and if lucky a soda in exchange for our efforts,” recalls Delicious.

Kenyan top rapper King Kaka aka Rabbit, a relative newbie, observes that Pulse has created an enormous platform for the local entertainment industry.

“The Pulse team is doing an incredible job owing to the fact that, since then, it has remained the strongest entertainment platform we have in Kenya.

It has been the biggest platform through which artistes’ voices and works can be showcased,” King Kaka says.

“Pulse has consistently ensured that news pertaining to local entertainment and that of its neighbouring countries Tanzania and Uganda are well covered besides keeping musicians on their toes.

I also salute the idea of the Pulse Music Video Awards that has gone way beyond in appreciating and supporting Kenyan music,” says Refigah, The creative director at Grandpa Records.

Nonini, who is also among the pioneers in the local industry- and featured in the magazine’s pin-up on its first issue- feels that the entertainment outfit has done a great job in terms of local music coverage.

“The new Pulse Music Video Awards is just another grand step in making sure that the team stays ahead as far as matters of local entertainment are involved. We are indeed proud of their work,” he notes.

Pioneer female rapper Nazizi, who rocked the local music scene alongside Bamzigi and Wyre as award-winning group Necessary Noize back then, visions the Pulse as an excellent entertainment platform that has managed to sustain the future of the local entertainment industry besides giving hope to upcoming new artists.

“This is one team that has always ensured that more than 90 per cent of local content is covered in an entertaining and informative way.”

Khaligraph Jones sees the Pulse as a good podium considering that there is lots of local potential out there that needs support.

“I can only encourage the Pulse team to continue with the spirit of rallying behind local talent. Unlike many other local media platforms where most of the content is borrowed from outside sources, Pulse highlights Kenyan celebrities and their works and this has helped to create an emerging entertainment powerhouse,” he remarks.

Local femcee Femi One famed for the single Pilau Njeri too congratulates Pulse for being an industry leader and for assisting artistes realise their dreams.

“It is an amazing how this team has always accorded the much needed publicity, which culminates to free promotion and support for local talent,” she says.

Another leading female star Akothee applauds Pulse for highlighting local talent and supporting the industry to grow even when many critics wrote off the youthful Kenyan music industry.

“Pulse has no doubt created and supported an entertainment industry that never used to exist before. The brand has stood the test of time and helped many hundreds of artistes make a living out of their talent,” attributes gospel beauty Size 8.

“It takes wisdom and creativity to give your audience what they want and that is the one thing Pulse magazine has been able to do for over a decade,” says celebrated radio host Jalang’o.

Singer Gin Ideal hails Pulse as being consistent and in touch with what the industry is all about. She says it takes hard work to remain a leader and, more so, relevant for so long.

“Since I was young and in school, I have made it a tradition to read Pulse. It is the one entertainment news source that everyone believes.

It is also true that most of the other entertainment outfits borrow a lot from Pulse. The magazine is also bold,” says the sassy singer.