They Have Built Some Of The Best Music Bands In Kenya, But Beyond Their Famous Bands They Are Little Known Or Recognised (Case: H_art)- Part 3
Continued from: Part 2
Part 2 of this piece looked at ELANI, a Kenyan group of three that has continued doing what they love most with a lot of proliferation and effectiveness, bringing the right competition into the industry, competition that has encouraged many more artistes to up their game, avoid the half cooked stuff and do what their calling is all about: good music.
Part 2 also looked at how Bryan Chweya, Maureen Kunga and Wambui Ngugi have managed to build a brand band but failed to convince the fans on the individual level to dance to their tunes. The article largely blamed the fan-base for ignoring these artists on the individual level but as we dig deep into other groups/bands and their members, we realize that the singers are also to blame for the lack of recognition and appreciation.
Part 3 delves into the H_art band, a music band that was born towards the end of 2012 when three gentlemen collided in the corridors of the Kenya National Theatre as they auditioned for various fields. This is how God brings people together. Someone once said that the more you travel and talk, the more you are likely to annoy and make more people know you.
Well, this time round, Mordecai Kimeu, Kenneth Muya and Wachira Gatama did irritate each other. Instead, they immediately gelled and when they shared their ideas, they realized they could be cooked in the very same pot.
The trio realized they had talent with spoken word and poetry, loved music, comedy and fashion and almost everything they did rhymed.
That is how they met but it had to take some time before they performed together. This was until February 2013 when the name H-art was born for the very first time in the Kenyan music industry.
To date, H_art’s music is largely inspired by spoken word and poetry.
Mordecai and his fellow artists are, however, recognized, known and appreciated through their instant hit song Uliza Kiatu. This is one of the songs I must admit I listen to over and over without getting any feeling of boredom or monotony. It is an inspirational song. How you are expected to talk to a shoe is the irony behind the song. That makes it even more enthralling.
On their facebook fanpage, H-art describes themselves as “basically we do art from the heart..we have created a langauge best understood not by the mind…but by the heart.
imagine acoustics, smooth vocals,with a touch of poetry,spoken word, freestyle rap,drama, dance and fashion all blended into one thick pastry of art”.
They have a following of 12,261 likes on their facebook page. This, for an upcoming music group that their first release is a hit, is not bad a figure.
But H_art just need to up their game. We can excuse them for now because they have not been in the industry for long, and for the short time they have been here, they have promised with their Uliza Kiatu that they are capable of doing great things.
I was in a certain event where they were among the artists performing and believe it they were not just irritating but also very boring. Singing very old school and childish songs like I don’t know ‘boringo bayaya…. ‘ is an insult to the people gathered in the event.
Well, i don’t want to go that way but a piece of advice can suffice. Ask Sauti Sol. Ask Elani. Ask P-Unit. They will all tell you that this is not a battle for the faint-hearted. Hard work, exertion and dedication are important factors behind their success. Your fans also matter a lot. Give them what they want.
You must consider your fans. Or just die like Camp Muller. Amass enough support from them. Go out as individuals, entice them to follow you, help them get obsessed with your music. That way, you will be at the top. Or should I call Sauti Sol to teach you these things?
