It is a cool Thursday evening as I step into Skyworld Bar and Restaurant at the junction of Tom Mboya and Ronald Ngala streets. Like every other Thursday it is a full house and I’m just in time for ohangla singer Musa Jakadalla’s stage performance.
“Aah bebi... Aah Nyasiaya,” Jakadalla starts with his favourite hit, ‘Nyar Siaya’. Seems like a common one as revellers sing along easily.
‘Hera remo’
Two other songs follow in quick succession - ‘Hera Remo’ (love is thick) and ‘Nyar Ahero’ (daughter of Ahero). The two songs have made him a household ohangla name coupled with the fact that he is an energetic performer.
“I do a lot of planning and preparation before I step on stage with my band; I always want to give my fans more than they deserve,” he tells me during a break.
Jakadalla, whose real name is Moses Odhiambo Obok, says he endured seven years of nondescript performances before he finally made his breakthrough.
“I began as a lead vocalist performing with Blaze Africa Band, which was founded and headed by Agoddy Mayaka and the late Odongo Mayaka at Club Village Kayole in 2010.”
Hired equipment
In 2013, Jakadalla released his debut single, ‘Nyar Alego’, before quitting Blaze Africa and teaming up with six of his friends to form Super Latin Ohangla Guys.
The early days were tough and he recalls performing to empty seats, which meant sleeping on an empty stomach.
Their first-ever pay was Sh6,000 from which he would pay Sh2,500 for the hired equipment.
Not willing to give up on his dreams, Jakadalla and his band released their first-ever album known as ‘Nyiri Dwaro Ang’o’ (What do girls want) and followed it with ‘Nyar Siaya’ (Daughter of Siaya) - that saw their popularity rise.
“We sealed deals to perform in different clubs in Nairobi’s central business district, among them Nyanza, GEO and Skyworld. We were paid nearly triple what we earned initially. This motivated us and we decided to add four more dancers to our group.”
Since then, it appears, there is no stopping Jakadalla, who has been in high demand in the city’s night clubs. He also added Club Nectar, where he performs every Wednesday, to his list of venues.
The band has 18 members comprising Asam Salad, John Paul, Ochieng, Ayano, Ouma, Ken, Jeff, Jageyo, Obonyo, Wicky, Atis, Kawiti, Dogo B, Choco, Benga, Willy and Caleb.
He is grateful to his fans for their unwavering support that has seen his music grow from strength to strength.
cnyanga@standardmedia.co.ke
