Dancing akorino gospel artiste like no other

By Kiundu Waweru

Local music videos are known for the contemporary dance styles. Lately, gospel artistes have slowly adopted the style amid some reluctance from conservative Christians and today, the gospel artistes has fully adopted the phenomenon. They dress and perform like secular artistes and they gyrate and gesticulate in lyrics laced with pious rhyme.

Spanking new on the list is a man who surprised many with his hit single, Wimutheru (You are holy).

Chartbuster

The song was an immediate success, topping top ten TV charts within the first two weeks. The song stayed number one for two weeks straight at Crossover 101 TV show.

This was perhaps due to the ironic imagery it showcased. The song is of akorino genre and danced by turbaned dancers.

Now the akorino, a turbaned Christian faith, is known for its conservativeness and singing that is accompanied by drums and jumping. And in this video, the dancers do not disappoint, they shake a leg that you would be forgiven to think the turban is a new fashion trend. The singer, Allan Aaron, says that the dance style is known as Gurly creeper. "This is a contemporary youth dance style that I modified to go with the reggae beats in the song. Also, if you listen keenly to the song, you will realise that it is laced with the akorino style."

In the video, Allan and his dancers surprise the audience with their mastery of the dancing style. They entertain and keep one glued to the TV screen.

Allan says he recorded the song alongside six others in 2007. Njugush of K-Krew, who was then a radio presenter at the Hope FM, introduced the song, together with another, Wiyohanie to the radio station and it went on to command the radio waves. Two months ago, Allan’s maiden video album, with six songs was out. Wimutheru became a hit and it is the best seller in the gospel category, and it has sold over 3,000 copies. Going down River Road and its environs, almost every music shop will be playing his song.

Youth Forum

Allan says he attends youth forums and that is where he has learnt about the dancing gigs.

"I wanted to come up with a video that people will identify with, a video that is unique and creative. I am grateful that people, old and young, all accepted it. (laughs) even my akorino faith has taken it well."

He adds that he is working on another hit single that will feature another contemporary and popular genre, crunk. He has recorded another song that is commanding the radio waves, Kiriro is a collabo with Daddy Owen and Kirah. He says its video will be out before the end of the year.

Born 25 years ago as Harun Mwangi, Allan knew from a young age what he would become. The singing bug hit him in 1993 when his dad, Simon Mwangi, started singing.

"He recorded two albums in 1995 and later, another Akorino gospel artiste, Heze Ndung’u, sealed my dream. He revolutionised the industry and I felt that I too, when my time came, I would come up with something revolutionising."

Road to the top

Allan’s problem was that he did not know what the revolutionizing style would be. From an early age, he tried different styles from reggae to bongo to hip hop, R&B and rap.

He says: "I became quite good in rap that I won all the talents show in high school. While in Form One, I remixed 50 Cent’s In Da Club to gospel. It went like, "go, go, go church now… u gonna go to da church now…is your time now… nataka kuwa church karibu na pastor…"

He remembers how producer Bunyan of Alter studios in Nakuru came to Elburgon, Allan’s home place while he was in Form Two.

" I won a recording deal for a single track. I recorded Vipi ni Vipi, a bongo, but its quality was not good. Later, I recorded another single that became a hit, Ghetto that was a prophecy reggae song. Ghetto played in a Nakuru radio station, Touch FM, that made me something of a celebrity," he says smiling.

After Fourth Form in 2006, Allan underwent a lot of stress and he wanted to hit the professional music stage but he did not know how. Around this time he got saved — he was born in the Akorino faith, the African Holy Ghost Church which he still belongs — and started preaching in different churches as he sold boiled eggs for sustenance.

After undergoing many tribulations, his break came when he met Njuguna Waigoro of K-Krew. Today, his church in Huruma is organising for his tour to America. He has graced many TV talk shows and he is undoubtedly an upcoming gospel artiste with a difference.