By Caroline Nyanga
The days when Genge music was characterised with dirty lyrics seems to have come to an end. After almost a decade musicians who hit the scene with vulgar lyrics that elicited uproar among public and embraced by pulsers and pulsaters have sobered up.
Back then baby-faced Nonini put Genge on map with a Manzi Wa Nairobi. The track became so popular that Nonini went back to the studio and released the lewd Wee Kamu, which became an instant hit. Pulsers sang along as parents went ballistic over the song’s sexual undertones.
Parents pointed accusing fingers at the musicians for misleading their children. But Nonini brushed aside parents anger as just a storm in a teacup and added that he was just being realistic. "Mine is to relay what goes on within the society. Things that happen behind closed doors that we are aware but are afraid to talk about," he said during an earlier interview.
Strange phone calls
On the other hand, Circute and Jo-el’s Manyake received numerous threats from a church leader. They often got strange phone calls warning them to desist from misleading the youth.
However, Genge musicians continued with the controversial content. Jimw@t hit the scene with Unda 18. A song that talked about mistakenly buying alcohol for and sleeping with an underage girl.
But it seems that the Calif and Genge artistes have come of age. No more lyrics like Kuta Vitu.
The shift was pioneered by Nonini who featured P-Unit in chartbusting single, Si Lazima. But critics feel the change has come to win over radio stations. Others have even suggested that Genge is trying to copy Tanzania’s Bongo Flava in terms of its content and flow. Clement Rapudo (Clemo) refutes the claims. "It has nothing to do with public criticism nor winning over radio stations. I believe we have matured musically," he says.
He explains that despite the criticism Genge has always been accorded immense airplay on various FM stations since its inception.
Genge music has come of age in terms of content. Now most musicians under Calif recording stable seem to be recording music that relays serious issues that affect society attracting listener’s attention. The release of songs like Karatasi, Narudi Ocha and Sitoi Kitu Kidogo are social commentary with deep messages. Clemo says that during the initial stages Calif recording stable produced music with messages including a number of gospel tracks but they were not well received.
Back to drawing table
"The controversial songs won the hearts of many local music fans forcing some of the artistes to go back to the drawing table". He also points out that it was one of the reasons Jua Cali’s debut album took more than five years to be released.
"Although the album was complete, we had to re-do most of the songs after watching the changing music trends and the mood of the people," says Jua Cali.
He adds that although Genge artistes have worked with several Bongo musicians they are different in terms of lyrics, beats and presentation.
"There is not a single day when Genge and Bongo will be the same, and neither are we trying to copy anybody. Genge is music for the masses," explains Jua Cali.
Nonini has also matured musically since the release of Wee Kamu while Jua Cali released Kiasi followed by Bidii Yangu and Kwaheri.
Calif’s new kid on the block, Mejja, says he is comfortable towing the same line. But unlike most artistes he says his way of presentation is different.
"Although I relay serious messages in my music, I still include a sense of humour in it to capture the public’s attention and make them be part of the song," he says.
He says artistes should aim at balancing good music with content to enable it have an element of entertainment.
Jimw@t, while admitting they have matured musically, says Genge music encompasses a wide concept.
" Being music for the masses we are able to music that targets different age groups. Like the saying goes; one mans meat is another’s poison."
So what does Clemo think?
"I strongly believe Genge is irresistible both locally and abroad. We don’t force fans to love our music, they do it out of their own will because they can’t help but ‘eat’, ‘sleep’ and ‘drink’ Genge," he concludes.
