Top Kenyan Rapper Addresses Incoming President.

Not many hiphop heads recognize the name Joseph Wambua but drop the name Jemedari, and recognition quickly permeates their faces.

That is the kind of subtle influence this conscious rapper wields, reflected aptly in his new no holds barred offering ‘Letter to the president’. It’s his third video after competition, produced by Voodoo and whose video was directed by Keith Oleng of AF Presents, and uliza uambiwe. The song’s first and second verse are in lilting coastal swahili, and the third verse is delivered in English.

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The first time I heard ‘barua kwa rais’ at a rehearsal, it dispelled the rumour among singers that most rappers can’t carry a tune to save their lives. Jemedari can sing and he laments about “police killings, murders and drug dealings, IDPs living in rooms with no ceilings, mps rolling in millis with no feelings… teachers, doctors striking for more pay, yet money gets wasted everyday, these things happen as you get your way…excuse me I’m talking to you mr president”
The catchy yet poignant chorus reflects the demoralizing reality that a lot of Kenyans face.

The video is simple, black and white and whose plot shows Jemedari as a revolutionary of sorts, a prophet of his people. Point blank Evumbi characterizes the powers that be. Another interesting part of the cast is Zosi, a singer in her own right who doubles as Jemedari’s background vocalist in many of his shows.
Jemedari describes his style as fusion hiphop, as he has increasingly performed with a live band bringing vibrancy to a genre that is laden with playback performances. Jemedari, visionary and genuine to the core, began music by taking part in several rap battles both in Nairobi and Nakuru where he hails from.
His end game is to start a mentorship program, through which talented youth with no avenue can make their talent work for them. This is through guidance by those who have already carved a niche for themselves in the entertainment industry.

He recently launched his mixtape, read about it here. Check out his pages ‘Letters to the president’ and ‘Jemedari Flows’ to connect with this game changer. Something you may not be aware of about this talented fella, he successfully juggles music, web production and online reputation management for several companies including MediaMax Networks and until recently, Martha Karua.