Caroline Nyanga
Once mired in controversy, the evergreen Luhya song, Mukangala, continues to draw fans from diverse ethnic backgrounds. No wonder when Julius Itenya and his Phonotex Success Band recently took to the stage at a Nairobi restaurant during a Luhya theme night, the crowd went wild, joining in the group’s vigorous dance moves.
The band’s performances show little sign of its controversial past. After the death of veteran musician and bandleader, Jacob Luseno, three years ago, his deputy, Julius Itenya took over with the consent of Luseno’s son, Obed.
But shortly afterwards, the band split with three members — Bernard Omwaka, Naftali Shitoka and Ingosi Sammy — leaving to form their own group. Curiously, they called it Phonitix Band.
"Leadership wrangles and difference of opinion led to the split," says Itenya, who retained leadership of Phonotex.
Phonotex Success band leader, Julius Itenya |
However, Phonitix also released another version of Mukangala, with a different producer, inevitably leading to threats of legal action.
Controversy
"The original producer rightly pointed out there was copyright infringement," says Itenya, who adds that the matter was eventually solved amicably out of court.
But despite Mukangala’s immense fame, Itenya feels it is time he set the record straight. He says the original song, Mukangala I, composed by Luseno, is the story of an employee called Mukangala and his boss, Rozalina.
Mukangala, who is in charge of Rozalina’s property, has the habit of showing off, claiming he is the proprietor. On learning about his habits Rozalina sacks him without pay. But partly because of the good job he did while working for Rozalina, he becomes successful — with many convinced that, in Itenya’s words, "wealth may have followed him". On the other hand Mukangala Part II, released a few months after Luseno’s death, is aimed at advancing the tradition of the band besides maintaining Luseno’s legacy.
But unlike the two, Itenya says Phonitix’s Mukangala has controversial lyrics. It somehow disputes Luseno’s original story, implying that Mukangala was a victim of circumstances who played his role right but was treated badly.
ownership
Nonetheless, today each group plays its version of the song freely with Phonotex having their base at Kangemi Bottomline Club, and Phonitix pitching tent at Bora Bora Club Kawangware, Nairobi.
But amidst all this, Mama Gertrude Mwendo wife of the late Jacob Luseno feels there has been too much controversy in the band.
She says although she has played a great role in building the career of Phonotex, many of its remaining members hardly recognise her role preferring to see her as one of the band members.
" Let us not fight over who owns the band because one day the truth shall come out. As far as I am concerned the certificates are in my name and I also pay tax to the Kenya Revenue Authority," she says.
Itenya says the seven-member band is working on a ten-track album to be released in August.
"We haven’t decided on the album title yet but it is no doubt music with a difference," he says.
Done in the Luhya language, Itenya says it is based on the traditional Ingolo style away from the usual lipala. Other styles include Mutivo and Mabeka.
Itenya says fans should wait for a song as unique and popular as Mukangala to keep the fire burning. He also dismisses claims that the band is not doing well.
He says he is glad that despite the language barrier, their songs have made an impact on people of different backgrounds.
