The Music of The Moi Years

A THREAD

(I will smudge the chronological order in order to fit more big hits.)

#ItsArap

1978 KE scene is just coming off of the Daudi Kabaka's African Twist. But we must start with that style

1979 Nico Mbarga has taken over Africa with Sweet Mother. Locally Slim Ali and The Hodi Boys Band are all the rave.

1980 Fadhili Williams re releases Malaika

1981 Maroon Commandos Charonyi Ni Wasi

1982 there's a coup. So musiciansw are under pressure to release unity and praise songs. The biggest comes from @themmushrooms (this is what was stolen by Disney BTW)

1983 Safari Sounds Band releases are record that's certified Gold. In there there are many hits. Among the biggest is this one.

1984 - Moi has banned Congolese music. So the Congolese do the damn thing to change his mind.

1985 - the Nairobi live scene has suffered abit after the coup and Moi's informal censorship (topic for another day).

Sal Davis and The Establishment leading the rebuild

1986 - The detentions have also killed vernacular live scene. Joseph Kamaru leading the little uprising

1987 - DO Misiani releases some seditious tracks. Buuut leets go with this one

1988 - Mombasa Roots Band arrive on the scene with Disco Chakacha - originally released in 1986- ( the effect of this on the KE Music till today is grossly understated by the way)

1989 - 10 years after it was founded Muungano Choir finally creates a pop smash hit Safari Ya Bamba. Hat tip Arthur Kemoli and Boniface Mghanga

Side Note. The following year they release Missa Luba (recorded in Germany) which I understand may have been mentioned at the Grammy's. Dunno if true.

1990 - Les Wanyika release an earthshaking album. One of The biggest hits was this one

1991 - Albert Gacheru comes through with Kikuyu Pop music. His biggest hit.

1992 JB Maina releases Mwanake. And Japheth Kassanga, Mary Wambui, Helen Akoth and Mary Atieno are redefining gospel music with the shows Joy Bringers and Sing and Shine.

But Freshley Mwamburi

1993 - Pressmen Band. Mombasa Once again

1993 also big big diversification happening in the KE industry. Sheila Tett, Musically Speaking and later Zanaziki and a boy band called 5 Alive. Anyway here's @gachukias
With Zanaziki

I have not mentioned Okatch Biggy. But now let me mention Princess Julie who created the soundtrack to the Moi government response to HIV in Kenya

Next Up the enigmatic Bosco Mulwa

Mid 90s. Urban Music is now bigger than was event expected. Here's another boy band Swahili Nation

And then Ted Josiah brings out a guy called Hardstone.

Then @JimmiGathu and others organise for a musician called @EricWainaina to do the first version of a new national anthem.

Meanwhile Shadez O Black are challenging Hardstone for the artiste of the year award with this smash hit : Serengeti Groove



Hat tip @njukey for the YT vid.

And then there's a cultural earthquake!! A grade 5 tropical storm called Kalamashaka

And the GOAT pop rap song surely 4 in one by Ndarlin P

Tupac Masaaakuuu

Anyway ... Special mention @EricWainaina with the song that Moi's government truly hated

Enter the 2000s. The music scene is ungovernable. Ogopa Deejays have arrived. But the biggest song of those first two years , the soundtrack to the Exit if Moi. All the way from Okok Primary school
@GidiOgidi @MajimajiKenya

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEJHEWhQ0B6nVQ6exvkrMpi5ry9fXfo_c