Which radio partnership have been the most entertaining to listen to? Which two radio presenters have had you tuned into their show and probably even their station jjsut so you can listen to the pair?
#10. Raptcha and King Kafulicious
I never understand half of what these guys said and my mummy never let me listen in long enough in the morning to this show but they little i got was hilarious. I still don’t know from whence they got their names: Raptcha the Sayantist and King Kafu but they were funny. I don’t know why Raptcha was let loose but what i do know is that given time these lads would have created a brand that would have rivalled Maina and King’angi’s all things ceteris peribus. And by that i mean if they could contain themselves and control their natures.
#9. Tina Kagia and Marcus Olang’ (Breakfast with Tina and Marcus)
I loved these guys. They didn’t resort to buffoonery even once or ethnic laced jokes. Just good smart humour. They had a chemistry that had me believing they were old friends and though they often took contrary positions in debates and discussions, they did so as old friends would -without giving a hairy rodent’s posterior. They went in on any and every subject! Good stuff!
#8. Marcus and Leo
These guys were hilarious. The fact that one is Ugandan not withstanding. I have to admit that i struggle to get Ugandan humour just as much as i struggle to understand what in God’s good name “Mi-ji-ng-o” is. But Marcus was a godsend. He often had me roaring with laughter. The two always had an extra quip to add to a joke to stoke the fires of laughter just when it threatened to die down. Goodstuff.
And this collaboration was so huge that when they left Capital, that time slot reeled for quite abit before finally finding it’s footing. That is testament enough to what the chemistry Marcus shared with Leo wrought.
#7. Caroline and Jalang’o
Again, after baiting us then sending our teeth a-quavering with an unnecessary sucker punch, Caroline Mutoko makes another appearance on Ghafla. I remember listening to Caroline in the morning as my mummy drove me to school and not feeling an ounce of excitement build up. But then again, that was just me. There had to be a reason why my mummy found her interesting. But a couple of years later, she teamed up with Jalang’o and Larry Asego. Finally i had something to smile about as i got dropped to school. Then Larry got rotated to another segment and it was just Caroline and Jalas. And i have to admit that they have kindled a spark of chemistry between them. And all this was managed without diluting Caroline’s nature. Goodstuff Jalang’o!
#6. Ciku Muiruri and Nick Odhiambo (Evening Drive)
These guys are funny but unfortunately, I feel Ciku’s busted eclipses Nick. Nick is a boisterous chap and listening to him I often find meself visualizing a bull in a china shop when he’s with Ciku immediately after her “Busted segment”. She needs to find a way to incorporate him whether or not the skit is her brain-child.
I say this because when the show starts off, they are quite the pair. But when busted is about to air, he has to become a passenger. i rate this partnership very highly (I think it should have been number 2 but this fact cut off so many dede Chim marks!
#5. Maqbul and Cess Mutungi (The Jam)
These by far are my favourite. They are rambunctious, effervescent and damn funny! They don’t resort to buffoonery to be funny but rely solely on their wit and sarcasm to accomplish this. They are also my kind of people: funny, loud and unfettered to silly notions of social decency. They talk freely but without crossing the very faint line so many often do. They have fun doing what they do and their peels of laughter often rent the air and are as genuine as my dental formula.
#4. Eve d’Souza and DJ Styles
These guys had radio chemistry long before it was a word familiar to any other radio personality. They were friends who shared the same taste in music and a deep understanding of each other. Style is arrogant -and not the endearing brand of arrogance found in Uncle Chim Tuna but an off-putting arrogance and Eve knew this. Eve was a people person loved by all.
When Styles went on one of his condescending and patronizing monologues, Eve used her charm. And when Eve was getting heavy with her charm (yes, at times this is a bad thing) styles would step in to create equilibrium with his douchebagery. *sniff sniff* Do you smell that? It’s the scent of perfect harmony.
#3. Shaffie Weru and Kalekye (The Drive)
Although we’ve had our run in with Kalekye Mumo which saw her take to air and call us cabbages (how is calling me food -a necessity for existence and sustenance an insult anyway?!) I shan’t begrudge her the fact that her partner has made the chemistry they share work. Shaffie teamed up with Kalekye and everything since has been history. They are funny and their comebacks witty and they rib each other like old friends would. They don’t pull their punches when they go in at each other but it’s always lighthearted.
#2. Mbusi and Bonoko (Air Goteana)
These guys have proved just how wide their reach is. And their influence over sheng and urban inner-city culture is shocking. They dream up words and they become official words. And matatus are always locked on to their shows. few if any tune into their competitors shows.
#1. Maina And King’ang’i (Maina and King’ang’i in the morning)
What can i say about these guys! Their combination defines radio chemistry! You can tell that they are friends from their banter and that makes the chemistry real. They rib each other about things only friends would dare and sometimes even complete each other’s sentences like an old married couple would.
Whoever dreamt up this pair and saw it to fruition should be commended and possibly given a chopper because of how brilliant the idea is.
