Local artists who are defining the Afro Soul

 Wendy Kimani and Adeline Maranga      Photo:Courtesy

 

BY CAROLINE NYANGA

The mainstream audience in the urban parts of Kenya generally prefer something with an inspiration message, hence the popularity of reggae, or a danceable beat and rhythm, one of the reasons Naija music is so big.

Unfortunately, this need is also one of the reasons for neo-soul's niche position; the other being that some see it as a tad elitist. Here are some of the local musicians credited for keeping the neo-soul flame burning in Kenya

 Carol Atemi

Carol Atemi

Carol Atemi's been singing since the age of 10, but stepped onto the scene via an all-girl group INTU. She then became the assistant vocal harmony provider for Eric Wainaina's band, and performed with him in Zimbabwe, Ghana, Zanzibar, at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands among other places. 

Speechless is from her solo debut album Hatimaye (it means "finally"), which she released on Gatwitch Records, Emmanuel Jal's label.

Harry Kimani

His hit single ‘Haiya’ off his album ‘Unborn’  was the best indication that a new sound was brewing from not just Kenya but even from other parts of Africa. Kikuyu music has never sounded that good that most couples wedding then walked down the isle to this song. Harry has so far produced 4 albums with his last one being African Woman in 2001.

Wendy Kimani

She went professional after becoming the First runner-up at Tusker Project Fame 2, and although her recording contract with Pine Creek Records ended sometime back she launched  her debut album My Essence launched in 2013 with songs like like Hush Up, Low, Chali, Rumour, Never have to worry and Haiwi Haiwi’. The latter is a collaborative song with Sauti Sol, a track titled ‘and ‘and.

Liz Gumbo - Maro Pa More

Besides being a neo-soul artist, Liz is a fashion designer (House of Imani) and used to be a model. Her song Maro Pa More featured in her album Ken Soul , has been well received by neo soul music lovers. The  video for this single was by was shot by DYMK, a production company in Nairobi that specialises in Film, Video and TV production, Graphic design and Web design.

Dela Maranga

Singer Dela Maranga also known as "The Voice" roams beyond neo-soul into reggae, hip-hop and even disco. Although many may disagree that she qualifies as neo-soul, she is one of Kenya's finest vocalists, known to write  all her own music. One of her tracks Kama from her Paukwa album on Paukwa, another top-stuff-all-the-way album on Penya.

Stan- Wangeci

Wangeci is from Stan's (Stan M. Nganga) 2009 album Kenya Debut, one of those rare albums where the quality of the tracks remains consistently high all the way through. It took a decade for Stan to find a producer and studio on the same wavelength, but he found what he was after in Wawesh and the Eastlands based Penya label/studio. The video was directed by Jim Chuchu, director, photographer, third member of Just A Band, and co-founder of Kuweni Serious