Legacy: Taking up the mantle of benga maestro

By KIUNDU WAWERU

The moment Sammy Muraya Junior was called upon for a cameo performance — sing two songs — during singer DK’s 45 years in celebration, the revellers did get moved.

In fact, they continued drinking and chatting looking forward for the next performance after the youngster.

Unpertubed, Sammy Muraya Junior took the mic in his stride ready to thrill the sceptical audience. And no sooner than he opened his mouth to sing his father’s hit Mama Kiwinya, the intro caught the attention of the revellers who could only recognise his as his uncanny look to his late father. He even donned his father’s favourite ‘godfather’ hat — a red one — matching a red shirt and a pair of black jeans

Soon the groove was kicking, as he belted the rest of the song with undeniable

Sammy Muraya Jr performs at the Carnivore. [PHOTO: MBUGUA KIBERA/STA NDARD]

ease. The revellers who had be looking at him sceptically thronged the dance floor as the youngster took to masterful legwork that could only be matched to Usher or Michael Jackson as he moon-walked. Fans were all on their feet as some showered him with money.

Sammy Muraya Junior announced his arrival on the big stage — Carnivore — as older benga stars watched in awe.

The dance floor went wild; screams, shouts merged with the band music as Junior belted his fathers hit after hit. He sang Mama Kiwinya, Mary Maria Mariam, Joyce Waithera… as fans sang along.

After two songs, the MC signaled Junior to step down, wrong move! The crowd bayed for the MC’s blood.

He was nudged on and did not disappoint leaving the stage with bulging pockets and recreating his father’s rich legacy.

The minutes he wowed audience at Carnivore, fans gave him approximately Sh5,000. He did not even stop to collect his cheque. He jumped into a cab with new fans in hot pursuit. But Junior had other engagements as he has been contracted to perfom weekends at a new entertainment spot in Umoja Estate.

When the untimely hand of death took the life of benga musician, Sammy Muraya in 2005, his many fans reeled in shock. Muraya had charmed his way to music lovers hearts by his fast lyrics and contemporary messages.

But did Muraya’s death mark the demise of his era? It seems not; Muraya left a legacy, and his fans should now put on their dancing shoes, for he has reincarnated in his son, Sammy Muraya Junior. Pulsating young and energetic, Muraya junior is a star performer who is taking the entertainment scene by storm.

Sammy Muraya Junior, real name Patrick Mwangi, 22, says that it has been like this since he started performing his father’s songs in 2008.

Sammy junior has fond memories of his father who he remembers as a dedicated family man. "From a young age, my older brother, Wilfred Waire, Pius Ngure and I would dance while dad performed. He taught me to play guitar while I was in class six," he recalls.

School performances

His dad passed on while he was in Form One and he kept his memories alive by performing his songs to his colleagues in the dormitory. "A friend had sneaked in a guitar and we would use it for our dorm gigs." However, Sammy Junior concentrated on his studies out of the music highlight but after final exams in 2008, he told his classmates that he was going out there to become a big shot musician.

After only two weeks at home, Sammy Junior bumped into an old friend, Sam, also a musician who asked him to accompany him for a gig in Nyahururu. "I thought over it and agreed. I practiced my father’s hits for a week and when I hit the stage at Ark Pride, Nyahururu revellers went wild and I knew this was my calling."

Soon Queen Jane noticed him and started inviting him whenever she had a gig and soon he was traveling around the country and wherever he went, people could not get enough of him. Timona Mburu, another benga artiste also noticed him and took him under his wings.

Rush to record

So what is the secret of his quick success? "Excellence. My father taught me this. He could take a day in the studio recording one song until he got the quality he wanted."

And he is not keen to bask on his father’s glory. In two months time, he will be releasing his debut album which he says will be full of surprises. "I have realised that people rush to record their songs without much thought to quality. I am going to the studio to change this."

Sammy Junior says he will sing in vernacular that will be all encompassing, touching on social commentary. He is already recorded a ragga album with a friend which they are yet to release.

It seems Sammy Muraya left a lasting impression on his son. What a better way to thank him thank carry his torch to the next generation.