Kenyans’ homecoming

By Stevens Muendo

Five years ago, Kenyan designer Jeffrey Kimathi made a major international breakthrough after American rapper Jay-Z donned his Jamhuri Wear outfit on stage.

Jay-Z was performing his hit single Encore during the Live8 Concert to push for the cancellation of Africa’s debt. While on one hand he held a microphone; on the other he had a Jamhuri Wear T-shirt, with Nelson Mandela’s portrait on the front.

The outfit made a strong fashion statement and soon Jamhuri Wear became a big name in New York where Kimathi has been living and working for years.

Wawesh

And it is not just those, as word has it that a couple of youthful Kenyan designers, models and musicians who have been living abroad are also on their way back to invest in the local industry.

Dreams

Days are gone — or so it seems — when Pulsers and celebrities used to be excited about dream opportunities abroad. In the changing wave, everyone is coming home.

"I find more satisfaction working here than being in the United States. East or West, home is best," says Alex who is now back to the Ogopa DJs stable recording his soon to be released single Pretender.

"I know so many Kenyan celebrities who take pride for the fact that they live abroad. Some get overwhelmed with pride when they get concerts in America. But I believe it is time we developed our local industry. I want to operate from here," he added.

Alex had just returned home on holiday when the idea of settling here hit him. As we were going to press, Alex was flying to the US to go and pack.

"Many times we fail to realise that just like in America, Africa is a virgin land where showbiz can thrive. We need to pull together and help the industry grow. We can only do that from within," adds Alex.

Talking under the same breath, Attitude says that Kenya is a far better option for him as compared to life in US.

"Life here is simple. The living standards are affordable," he says. Attitude denies that the singing career of his celebrity wife Mercy Myra hit rock bottom after they relocated to the US and that her showbiz comeback would be almost impossible.

"She has been singing and recording. Musically, Mercy is doing good and things are looking up for her," reiterates Attitude, as he discloses that the afro fusion diva recently signed a one album deal with JOI Studios — a stable owned by Jagged Edge.

"We entered talks about a possible recording deal with 981 Music but the deal did not materialise. But we struck a deal with JOI, which is a leading recording stable in Atlanta where Jagged Edge and other big names like Akon, Trey Songs, Pimp C, Keisha Cole and Nas have been recording some of their songs," he said.

"Mercy and I did not quit music as critics claim. I am working on my fifth album now. I have also been working on many other projects abroad. I have made good connections abroad and that is why besides music, I plan to help revolutionalise hip-hop in Kenya," he insists.

Attitude

"I have some projects on the pipeline. By June, I might host a top American rapper in Nairobi." He says

Attitude appears to have struck all the right chords in the US.

"I have been working with leading American artistes. One of the songs features Young J, an Atlanta-based musician-cum-producer. Others are Don’t Forget Me featuring Akon and Go Jo featuring Jay-Z.

I have also recorded a lot of music with Mercy Myra and worked with US producers Mannie Fresh and Kurupt," he told Pulse.

But the question still remains as to whether Attitude has been enjoying the massive publicity in America as he claims and only time will tell after he drops his album later this year.

The return of these Kenyans is already creating ripples in the showbiz industry with a revolution, which could see a major change in the local music industry as well as the fashion world.

New wave

Wawesh, who is also a prolific producer is the brain behind the New East African Sound whose craze is sweeping through the region like bush fire.

Operating under the label Penya Africa, Wawesh has managed to popularise Afro fusion genre among urban youth, bringing a new force against the popular Genge and Kapuka beats, which have dominated the local music scene for the last 15 years.

Artistes and bands under Penya umbrella include Sauti Sol, Just A Band as well as Stan, Dela and Muthoni. The return of Wawesh is definitely reshaping the local music landscape.

"I never wanted to duplicate what others have done in the past. I want to make the industry more diverse," explains Wawesh who says he came back with a dream to create the new sound.

"Whatever we started in New York created a good base for us to market our line in the international market. I have my partners working on our Jamhuri design abroad. But I want to create a strong local base in Africa and that is why I have returned home for good," says Kimathi.

"The whole idea is timely, Kenyans and Africans in general want quality music, which they can relate with. The urban youth in Nairobi have been waiting for this moment. I have come back with a fashion solution," said Wawesh.

This too is expected to stir new wars in the showbiz fashion industry. The frontrunners like Fundi Frank and other youthful designers who have been slowly gaining ground will have to contend with competition. And with this, new standards are being set, as the stakes get high.

Likewise, the return of the versatile Mercy Myra — who used to be part of the Divas of The Nile group, that featured four Kenyan female musicians, Suzzana Owiyo, Achieng’ Abura and Princess Jully could as well spell a new dawn in the afro fusion world.

The return of Eric Musyoka the brains behind Decimal Records who had been out of the country for four years is also stirring waves among production houses.

The producer has a new state-of-the-art studio and big names like Nonini, K-Shaka, Wyre, Nanoma, Prof Jay, AY, Kleptomaniax and Nameless are already working with him.

"The opportunities are not out there as they may think. They are right here. We only need to open our eyes and think outside the box," concludes Kimathi.