The 5 Most Radical Songs Ever Done In Kenya

As with most of my writing, I have a title well before I even sit to write but then the moment I set down the first word I start second guessing myself on the title’s suitability (every writer has his/her own struggles). This time I have issue with the word radical and to clear any ambiguous issues arise, this is a list of songs which were unique at their time being something not done on such a scale and introduced shed limelight on a different form of songs. There have been many songs and I will be the first to admit that it is not exhaustive nor the law but I doubt any song here will not feature on any other list of similar ilk. On to the first one;

System Ya Majambazi- Mashifta

Remember this song? It was the Late Gwiji and Kitu Sewer at their finest. The most timeless lyrics ever written in a Kenya song about the government, church, street life and everything else about Kenyan society are here. Sure Mashifta and the larger Ukoo Flani Mau Mau have a list of hard hitting songs and pretty radical in every definition of the word, but this song made and filled the airwaves like nothing else. It was sweeping in its criticism of things still being talked about up to now. It made hardcore hip hope relevant and popular. ‘Tuliharibiwa vichwa na pombe kama bado tuko kwa mimba, generation ilipita kwa kondom zimetoboka juu ya kutotosheka….’ I dare anyone to find any more brutally honest song and lyrics than this.

We Kamu- Nonini

Before nudity became a basic part of our entertainment and before we confused video content with skimpily dressed ladies and over sexualized everything about entertainment even Playboy looks up to us, there was this song. A young and totally fresh Nonini was the artist not to be found listening to. This song made talking about sex in songs and at home not a taboo and helped establish a career, and a music label but left us with the likes of ‘Pombe Bangi’, ‘Tudinyane’ and all the rest.

Eric Wainaina-Nchi Ya Kitu Kidogo

Eric Wainaina is something of a national music treasure now but this song was banned by the government. This is how radical this song was to open point out the corruption of the then KANU led government. It definitely spurred the growth of other similar political conscious songs and still remains a a classic.

Kapuka This- K South

K South remains the one group I feel broke up a bit too soon and attempts at reuniting have not been successful. They have a number of songs that remain great but nothing defined the local music scene like Kapuka This. It was a hit song before Tuendelee was one and introduced the general public to artists’ feuds. The playful delivery is still a joy to hear.

Soobax- K-Naan

Well done if you saw this coming quit your current job and help the guys at the Meteorological department. I was in an Eastleigh mat back in 2005 I think when I first heard this song and it was years before I knew the correct name of the title or the artist who did it. It was refreshing danceable and made Eastleigh look like one big carnival place the video especially.

There you have it, have a different view, let me hear you.