greamhouze

Moving Places

2008-06-12T10:01:00.003+03:00

Sup all.

Its been a while since I did anything positive or even thought provoking on this blog. When I started out, it was going to be mainly on Kenyan Hip Hop. But of late, I havent been feeling anything on the local scene. I guess my lack of radio time or even tv time has something to do with it.

At first I never thought that putting a quality post was going to be challenging. Well, I got to admit it is especially when its on a specific topic. But lets head here, new home. I feel rejuvenated

Wacha Moto Uwake - Kalamashaka

2008-01-29T15:15:00.000+03:00

This aint a post as such but I just thought I should share it.

I was listening to my green tape (Kshaka's Album- Ni Wakati). I call it green tape because its green in color and they never released it on CD just the tape. I heard this song 'Ni Wakati' and noticed how it fits well into the political or civil situation we are in now. I wont break it down, just listen to to the song and feel the fire.

To make an omelet, you must be prepared to break the egg. - Johnie-Kshaka.

Wish you guys a safe environment.

The Hood Attachment, The Feel Alone, The Music, The Chaos, The Politician & The Hood Detachment (Painting GRIM)

2008-01-12T15:07:00.000+03:00

I never moved out of my hood.

I always contemplated it but certain things keep me here.

Whenever there is a gunshot, I can tell you the bullet, hit the wall, hit some wood, it hit mabati, or even worse, it hit someone.

Thats how accustomed I've become to the sounds.

I bet you, in my hood, a five year old cant tell a cock crow, but can accurately estimate the distance from where the shot was fired.

My boss always asked me to move, he now prays that something nasty happens to me and I will afford a place on Riara Road. A 15k room in Nairobi West, now easily affordable, used to sound expensive.

I aint had a girlfriend because I dont want her to come to my hood.

She wont relax to Maxwell, Corrine Bailey Rae, Thelonious Monk, Teddy Pendergrass, The Delfonics, Yanni classicals, Gladys Knight, because gunshots rent the air and are louder than my boom twaf equipment (Thanx Archer, I had to borrow that)

"Why Didnt you get a local for a mama?", You ask me, Look at my taste, not in my hood, fool.

Bunny Wailer, Mutabaruka, Luciano rule the rewind button of CD players. Not my shimmy shimmy yah, not my Strange Fruit or even my 1-A-Hewa Classics, Not my 'Ni Wakati' tape.

A commotion ensued, as he was sworn in. "Ni Kii?", a mum with a kid on her back asked her mates on the roof top of the 'Gorofa Saba Flat'.

"She is one of them!" Exclaimed one of the youths. I watched her hit the ground together with her kid. Bones crushed followed by

Silence, deathly silence, loud silence hit those us who saw it. She didnt scream, neither did the kid.

The 'statemen & women', gleed as we sang them James & Bobby Purify's hit, we are their Puppets. Well, not romantically, but in the chaos they've hidden from, when the gas hits the blind eyes.

Where is your daughter? I didn't see your son throw a brick! I saw you run into Serena when hell broke loose!"

I hug Calm. "Where've you been?" She looks at me and says, "I wont be long, not until you all agree that you must cease to be their puppets.

I aint getting rocked, not tonite, may be next month, when calm brings me frog's croaks and the ear piercing cricket sounds, how do I know them? Thank you National Geographic, thank you New Hood.

GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION

2007-08-28T16:08:00.000+03:00

Got this video by Cham "Hip Hop Police", it’s been out for a while, but its one my favorites this year. The song is produced by Jonathan Rotem, he is done a number of trax for big heads. The best part about him is, he is South African! (Pull ya right sleeve up!). If you've been following rap from waaaay back then you must know one of the best story tellers that ever did it. Slick Rick. He is featured on the trak but I felt he wasnt given enough room. The video starts with a humorous skit that goes like

Police: There is alot metal on your neck boy!

Look like u looking for trouble

Cham: No I kna' nobody named trouble mayne

Police: dont try to smart talk me boy, I aint ya mama,

N U, shut up! n pull them pants up! (To Chams colleague)

Hey, aintchu that Chamillion that guy?

Aint he Chamillion that guy? (To his partner)

Cham: In the flesh mayne!

Police: I know U, U been makin them police songs,

am not a fan, last song was pretty big.

Howz this one gon b?

Cham: Bigger!

Police: You just called me a nigger!?

Cham: What! nah mayne u trippin I said bigger mayne. This dude's trippin mayne

Police: U just called me nigger boy

Cham: BIGGER! BIGGER!

The song is basically about people who love to talk shit about Hip Hop. If you are in anyway associated with Hip Hop then you are guilty of “murder”. . Murder in this instance was used as a metaphor like Common did with "I Used to love her" He used this to fight the stereotype that rap is about crime and being G. See the evidence collected?

“In the car we confiscated The Chronic and The Clipse
Diary that you had and all your Blueprints
On the Death Row booklet”

The chronic here being Dre's albums, the Clipse Idont have to explain. The Blueprints offcourse referring to KRS' and JayZ'. Do I have to tell you Death Row? In the skit above you can also note the heavy hypocrisy of the police. "Last song was big, howz this one gon b?" Thats the definition of .......

Another thing about this video is that guy reading the news. He’s an obvious parody of Bill O'Reilly one of the best known hip hop police. I just wish that Kenyan Videos would be creative to that level. I however love the concept of Ukoo Flani Mau Mau’s 'All over the world'.

Hip Hop in Kenya has its police too. The other day I saw some guyz on TV calling on the Government to ban the genre alongside Reggae. How are you going to ban a culture? How myopic can you be? They should know Hip Hop is bigger than they can imagine. Imagine there was no Def Jam? to quote Dre. Then you yakety yak about baning something u ain't got a clue about apart from 50's 'lollipop'

On the post below, "Questions to Mwaf..." I never got a reply but he's been making some noise somewhere on 'Nyese' in The Red Light District. Pulse also had an interview with him and had some of my questions in it. I got a problem with them though, they didnt give credit where due. The interview was conducted by a two people that I dont recall n ---g.r.e.a.m---'s name wasn't any of the two interviewers! Last year I did the piece on hip hop anniversary and it was their story!

On some other fronts, the dumbest thing I've heard lately was blubbered by one Esther Kahumbi a reporter with KTN doing a story about a fire in some slum somewhere in Lunga Lunga. Here is what she said "An electric fault was ruled out as the cause of the fire as the area is not connected with power!"

Questions to Mwafrika: Do You have answers?

2007-08-07T18:00:00.000+03:00

Am a big fan of real hip hop and I really felt it when you left YFM. Since then hip hop has kind of been dead, few people know whats happening out there.

What happened to hiphop nites? I know its expensive to run it but the fans were willing to support it. I remember meeting guyz from as far as El-d, Embu on those nights.

You at one time had big planz to have Talib, Mos Def, Immortal Technique come to Kenya. Why did you kill this dream? coz to your fans, the dream is kinda dead? Do you still have contact with Knaan and should we expect you to have a collabo with him and when will this be?

There is SHIKA DVD II, I have searched fro this DD in most stores in town and I cant find it. Where can I get a copy and how come you never publicized the SHIKA DVDs. Why didnt try to have in Nu-Metro or any other shop?

I have been very worried by your silence I have been expecting to hear something from you. I have your entire mixtape with Muki and I really enjoy it. I'd like to know what you've been up to.

I'd also love to hear your comments on eclipsing of Kshaka by Wenyeji as the lead group. I am worried about them not having an album in years or even a hit single. Though I have some reliable news that their album is in the works.
Why do you think Johnie of Kshaka likes to remain eerie avoiding press and videos from the MAU MAU camp and why do you think Kshaka (all three) didnt have a single in the album Dandora Burning? I have a feeling there is some infighting among themselves. Kamaa, what are your thought on him? Whats does it mean about him featuring in most of Mau Mau trax than any other member of Kshaka?

What are your thoughts on Wenyeji's & Mashiftaz new albums?

I know you have a feeling Doobeez lost it but to me I think he is the local equivalent of ODB or Redman. Comment.

Chiwawa is also said to be doing an album, are you going to eat a humble pie and guest star if he invited you?

Black Duo, do you think they'll ever wake up again? Were these guyz real they appeared to be?

STL, L-Ness, Nazizi which of this ladies would be willing to work with and why or why not?

Wakamba Wawili, I feel them, we feel them, do you think they are worth the salt?

What new local hard hitters, undergrounds, are out there that we don't know about?

If you are doing an album which local rappers would you like to have in it?

Most of us rely on Pulse and Buzz to get the latest on any artist, whats hot, whats new on local hip hop. Do you think they are doing a good job? If not, what should we do about it?

Whats your favorite radio show at the moment? Are you still a fan of Eve-D Souza's Hits not Homework and do you think its still the show it was years ago?

Internationally, which are your most anticipated albums this year? Personally I am waiting eagerly for 8 Diagrams, I read an interview about it do you think this will put Wu back on the map? The title is very well thought what do you think?

You have good judgment and you know much about hip hop, I'd like to hear your insight on all this.

Prison Thriller Dance

2007-08-04T10:40:00.000+03:00

I was looking around in youtube and got this video that I thought was nice and very positive. Its about prisoners in a Philippines' correctional facility. Its not only funny but it had me feeling that this was not just a jail, its really a correctional facility. The perfection is also amazing! This one is a remake of Micheal Jackson's thriller. They have also done Sister Act, Black Eyed Peas among others. I wonder if we should wait for Sarafina! I just hope they dont watch prison Break they could perfect it to. I couldn't embed it so follow the links.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o

I was thinking, shouldn't the warden of this prison get an award of some kind?

If Wayne & Ja Were Put in The Same Cell

2007-07-26T13:24:00.001+03:00

I dont like Wayne but he does have some good lines in his rhymes at times. Pictures this one from the song 'Neck of The Wood'. "Your face gets buttoned up and you look like a Jay Z shirt" Now For those of you not inclined to the hiphop matrix, let me break it down for you. "Face gets buttoned up" is when you get shot in the head. "You look like a Jay Z shirt" is even a deeper line. Remember when Jay used to put on those colored Hawaii shirts? well, when you get shot, and blood spatters, you get colored like that Jay Z shirt. Get it? Any one including KRS and Nas will tell you that was smart.

With Ja, he to is smart with the lines but I hate the way he changed his subject matter. Those of who got a copy and listened to Venni Vetti Vecci will tell you Ja got it wrong when he started doing rap with babes and doing the singing.

Now if Ja was put in the same Cell as Wayne this is what would get down.

Lil Wayne: What's your name?
Ja Rule: Jeffrey.
Lil Wayne: You lookin' kinda sweet there.
Ja Rule: Don't talk to me, bitch.
Lil Wayne: I think you're hot.
Ja Rule: That better be my career you are talking about.
Lil Wayne: Let me kiss you.
Ja Rule: What are you, some kind of fag?
Lil Wayne: HELL YEAH
Ja Rule: OFFICERS! GET ME THE FUCK OUTTA HERE, PLEASE! I have a wife to come home to.
Lil Wayne: But you are my type, you're all man.
Ja Rule: Officers, I will snitch on whatever you want, just get me away from this bitch!
Officers: All right, come with us.
Lil Wayne: See you soon, honey(smooches)!
Ja Rule: Go fuck yourself.

I think that was funny..........

GUESS WHOZ BIZACK

2007-07-26T11:57:00.000+03:00

It feels like.......I dont even know how to put it! I have been busy, I have been money hungry (that contributed big time to my being away), I have been lazy, but definitely not out of touch with how things are. I really want to come back but I need some anti-lazy pills.

Has anyone listened to Siku Njema or the lyrical mashifta's Mashifta Volume II? Those are classics I guarantee. Full review will come shortly need to oil my writing. Its abit rusty. or more like a car that hasnt been started in 5 months! Get the welcome back committee ready.

It feels sooooo goooooood 2 be back!

IN THE ELEVATOR

2007-04-12T17:43:00.000+03:00

Here are some things you can do in a lift (as we call it here).

Stand silently and motionless in the corner facing the wall. Don't get off at any floor.
Greet everyone getting on the elevator with a warm handshake and ask them to call you Admiral.
Stare and grin at another passenger for a while. Finally announce, "I've got new socks on!"
Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce "You're one of them!" and move to the far corner of the elevator.
Say "I wonder what all these do", and push all the buttons. Don't forget to push the "Emergency Stop" button
Congratulate all for being in the same lift with you.
Shave
When arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, then act embarrassed when they open by themselves
On the highest floor, hold the door open and demand that it stay open until you hear the penny you dropped down the shaft go "plink" at the bottom
Bet the other passengers you can fit a shilling in your nose
Walk on with a cooler that says "human head" on the side
Burp, and then say "mmmm...tasty!"
Listen to the elevator walls with a stethoscope
Bring a chair along
Hum the old KBC news tune
Pull your gum out of your mouth in long strings.
Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button
Stare at your thumb and say "I think it's getting larger.
Scratch yourself excessively saying "fucking head lice. They're all over me.
Let out a loud fart, point to the dude next to you and exclaim 'You are the one!"
Start to talk about your sex life. Tell them that all of your three children were conceived in this very lift. And point and say "it was up against that wall"
Hand out leaflets - "what to do when the lift cable breaks. The ten tips that will keep your body in one piece (although these tips will not save your life, it will make the rescue a bit cleaner, and we wont have to spend ages cleaning the blood of the walls) Hope you will live to do it again!"
Act surprised when it starts to move and say "THE GROUND IS FALLING!"
Fake an orgasm when the lift starts to move. Announce that it was your best ever
Walk in to the lift with a clear bottle of apple juice. Start drinking and say "ah, theres nothing like your own urine to quench your first. Does anyone want some?"
Say "this new g-string is really starting to hurt." Then attempt to adjust it
Walk into the lift and say "this reminds me of being buried alive. Ah those were the days"
On entering, ask the passengers "Will you be my friend?". Burst into tears if they say no.
Get back to nature - go in naked
Pretend to be the pilot of the lift, speech into a headset "this is lift number 1, ready for decent to 1st floor. Waiting for permission to depart, over"
Serve tea and coffee
As you are coming to the end of the journey, get emotional and have a group hug. Tell them that you will never forget them.
Bring out a magnifying glass, closely inspect the other passengers skin and say "ooh, look at your pores"
Bring out a fake toy gun and shout to the person next to you "you lookin' at me?"
Challenge the guy stood next to you to a "thumb war".
While the doors are opening, hurriedly whisper, "Hide it...quick!" then whistle innocently
Explain to the passengers that this lift looks the same as the ones on all the other floors.
Release cockroaches and rats or doves.
Start a sing-along
Say I wonder what all these do and push the red buttons
Blow spit bubbles
When there is only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn't you.
Push a button, pretend it gave you a shock. Smile and go back for more
Drop a pen, wait for someone to pick it up and then yell, "That's mine!"

IT'S A CLASSIC

2007-03-08T16:41:00.000+03:00

Was up lovers of hip hop. I know I haven't written something interesting in a long time but its like locally, there ain't a thing to talk about. Top 9 @ 9 has nothing worth mentioning. I heard a song that I ain't feeling (This is why am hot) and it was very easy to tell who has been voting. Who can tell me what radio to listen to coz I cant find any!

Here is a video that I came across and I just think those who did this have been holding it down for hip hop. Lots of people don't like the fact that Kanye was there. My suggestion for a replacement would be Guru. Enjoy.

Do you agree with what they saying?

RESURRECTING THE ART

2007-02-11T12:33:00.000+03:00

This is a short video on hip hop. Shows those who have kept its real in hip hop.

This is a video by one of my favourite rapper of all times. The world just decided to shun the genius in this guy. Thanx to the net, I know alot about him and I dont need the radio to hear him.

Here is another video by Canibus. The video is of poor quality but listen to the stuff this guy spits. The concept of the song was something no one had tried before.

This other video is also by Canibus the song is called I honor you. Listen to the words, to the story, and tell me if hip hop wasnt blessed to have Canibus.

Don’t Sleep-Hip Hop is Alive and Well in East Africa

2007-02-08T17:25:00.000+03:00

By Davey D

I actually got this post from msaani_Xl and thought the message was too good to not to share. Listen to the interview I really felt inspired. I like Zakah he is a rare breed among rappers. I like the way he talks about diseases in his verses. Like in DC na sisi he says like "......kuhara, gonorrhea .....". Get Wenyeji's new album, Dandora Burning and other mixtapes to see what I mean. So here we go....

If you don’t believe rap music has the power to influence and shape opinions on a political tip, you may wanna sit down and talk with Kenyan rap stars Kama of the East African pioneering group Kalamashaka, MC Kah of the 24 man Wu-Tang like supergroup Ukoo Flani Mau Mau and Rhymeson aka Ra of the Tanzanian pioneering group Kwanza Unit. On a recent trip to Nairobi we sat down with these local artists and discovered that there were some interesting parallels between themselves and popular political rap groups here in the US like Public Enemy and Dead prez.

MC Kah explained that many of Kenya’s early rappers who first emerged in the early 90s, started off being political. Part of it was due to the influence of their American counterparts like KRS-One and Public Enemy, but an even more telling influence is the fact that many are the grandchildren of the revolutionary freedom fighters the Mau Mau which fought against British colonialist and helped secure Kenya’s independence. Kah noted that the revolutionary spirit of the Mau Mau has been passed down and that they are a continuum of that legacy of fighting oppression.

‘Our harsh living conditions and government oppression’ made us be political with our raps’, explained Kama. He elaborated by explaining that a trip through any of Nairobi sprawling slums like Kibera, Korogocho or Dandora would make it difficult for one to rap about anything other then social or political issues. ‘Dandora Burning’ the classic album put out my Ukoo Flani Mau Mau is a strong testament to that. It is considered by many to be the East Afrrican equivalent to Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’.

Having visited both Kibera which houses more than one million people and Korogocho, Kama’s words ring true. Kibera was by far more poverty stricken, downtrodden and disparaging then any American ghetto. Words simply cannot describe what I saw, but to put it simply it was disturbing to the point of tears. People living on top of one another on top of garbage dumps surrounded by human waste, is what I bore witness. It was paralyzing as I am still trying to process everything I saw.

Kah explained that one of the biggest challenges he and Ukoo Flani Mau Mau face is the Kenyan government putting pressure on local radio stations to refrain from playing any of their political songs. The group’s commitment has been to use Hip Hop specifically to deliver messages to the people and expose government corruption. He noted that over the past few years the airwaves have been flooded with styles of music called genge and kapuka which contain mindless raunchy lyrics.

There has also been an increase in American jiggy bling bling style raps. Kah went into more detail by explaining how America’s materialistic bling bling raps which have been highlighted by multi-national media corporations were being used as a weapon of sorts designed to distract the masses and undermine political thought. One of those expensive diamonds found in the mouths of popular American artists or a just a few of the many bills they are so fond of throwing at video camera could take care of several families in Kibera or Korogocho for years.

Kama noted that they have attempted to counter the crackdowns by strategically putting a stigma on anyone who mimics American rap stars. If you show up trying to be the next 50 Cent or P-Diddy, then you’re likely to be branded a sellout or a capitalist rich boy who can afford to fly off to New York and come back and be like the oppressor. It is with this thought in mind that many of the Kenyan artists have made a strong push for artists to stop rapping in English and start flowing in Swahilli or other native languages.

Both Kah and Kama noted that the crackdown on political Hip Hop in Kenya is no different then the crackdown on message raps that took place in the early 90s when groups like Public Enemy and X-Clan found themselves being replaced by gangster rap. Kama said it is no coincident that what took place in the US follow suit in Kenya just a few years later. He saw the move to silence political voices as a way for those in power to remain in control. He noted that cultural expression is one of the most powerful ways to deliver a message.

Tanzanian pioneer Rhymeson noted that Cointel-Pro and the Illuminated are hard at work in both the US and in Africa and hence he was not surprised about the parallel situations. He went into detail and broke down the political history of East Africa and its connection and influence to the Black Power movements in the US. He noted that the Mau Mau Rebellion influenced the Black Panthers and that in later years more than 300 Panthers came to Tanzania to seek asylum. He went into detail about how the CIA worked to set many of them up by sending them guns and other weapons so that they would be deported. However, many of them stayed and set of up hugh Cultural center. Among those still living in Tanzania is former political prisoner and 2Pac’s Godfather Geronimo ‘JiJaga’ Pratt.

Kama noted that he and many of the rappers from Ukoo Flani Mau Mau got to spend time with Pratt and the other Panthers in Tanzania at the center and wewre greatly influenced by them and their courage. Kama said meeting 2Pac’s Godfather was a dream come true and it touched him greatly. He along with Rhymeson underscored the rich relationship between the freedom struggles in the US and East Africa and how important it is for more African Americans to ignore the negative stigma attached to Africa and come back home where they will be welcome.

Kah pointed out some ongoing developments that will hopefully change the tide of the Government crackdown on political music.. For starters, residents in the slum of Korogocho demonstrated and eventually won a license to start their own community oriented radio station called Koch FM. During last weeks World Social Forum in Nairobi a number of popular Hip Hop artists from Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa, The UK Senegal, Canada and Kenya came together and formed a collective called the Ndugu International Committee. They held a press conference where they read off a number of pledges including their plan to bring forth Afrikan Centered conscious Hip Hop to the forefront as a way to aid the ongoing liberation struggle. Hip Hop being used as a tool for social change is in full gear in east Africa

Here is an interview conducted by Davey. You will also get to listen to some trax from Dandora Burning. I was so elated to hear this coz a buddie stole my copy of the album. Gettin another one soon tho'

powered by ODEO

Click here Before you talk 'ish' about the Beautiful Art that is Hip Hop, Hip Hop was discused during the World Social Forum. Dead Prezz were to showup dont know what happened.

Hip Hop & G.R.E.A.M's Death

2007-01-19T14:07:00.000+03:00

People, wasup! I have been away for too long. Just been underground and I hope the story down here can explain things. I know this should be about hip hop but it is also about that good stuff.

Have you been feeling HIP HOP IS DEAD? I know what most people will say. 'The beat is wack" "He doesnt sound like 50 Cent", "I cant snap to it", "I cant lean with it". If you find yourself saying that shit. Then know you the reason HIP HOP IS DEAD. The media just played like 3 to 2 songs from the album. Get the whole album you will resurrect this beautiful art. Then, have you wondered why only people from the South got sour grapes about the title of the album?

George Bush goes to a primary school to talk to the kids to get a little
PR.After his talk he offers question time.

One little boy puts up his hand and George asks him his name. “Stanley,”
responds the little boy.

“And what is your question, Stanley?”

“I have 4 questions:

First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN?

Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes?

Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?”

Fourth, why are we so worried about gay-marriage when 1/2 of all Americans
don’t have health insurance?

Just then, the bell rings for recess. George Bush informs the kiddies that
they will continue after recess.

When they resume George says, “OK, where were we?

Oh, that’s right, question time. Who has a question?”

Another little boy puts up his hand. George points him out and asks him his
name.

“Frank,” he responds. “And what is your question, Frank?”

“Actually, I have 6 questions.

First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN?

Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes?

Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?

Fourth, why are we so worried about gay marriage when 1/2 of all Americans don’t have health insurance?

Fifth, why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early?

And sixth, what the hell happened to Stanley?”

"And if you dont know, now you know .........right?"

PRESS FREEDOM: THE -G.R.E.A.M--- SPEAKS OUT

2006-11-16T16:46:00.000+03:00

I got this from a blog called 'gukira' it read like

"Dear President Kibaki:

On March 2, 2006 government forces raided the headquarters and printing plant of the Standard Group. In addition to destroying equipment and newspapers, they shut down the KTN news station.

This latest attack follows the jailing of three journalists from Standard Newspaper, attacks on Citizen Weekly, and ongoing harassment of journalists by government-sponsored forces.

I urge you to condemn these attacks and to support freedom of the press."

I mainly write about Hip Hop and entertainment but this one cuaght my eye and I had to comment. Not that I suck this government's dick and not that I do not advocate for press freedom. Its because I love journalism.

First, the raiding was in bad taste and the day will always be remembered as a dark one in the history of press in Kenya and world over. It was like a bad dream to me when I woke up to the news of the raid. The governemnt erred in this one and I condemn the attack in the storngest of terms.

Secondly, I do not think the arrest of Swaleh Mdoe was to curtail freedom of the press otherwise the same would have happened to the likes of Muraya Kariuki, Jaidi Kisero, Philip Mwaniki or any other journalist. That is where the Standard Group went wrong when they accused the governemnt of harrasing the press coz one of their own had been arrested on suspicion of not being Kenyan. Remember what happened to Nation media Group journalist that were sent packing for working in Tanzania? Was that abuse of press freedom or would you call it protocal? I urge Standard Group to SHUN sensationalism and work towards responsible journalism.

Look at newspaper like Citizen Weekly or whatever they call it. The government still allows it to run even when they come up with maligning articles on Politician, Businessmen, Entertainment Celebrities and other well to do Kenyans. I remember one Headline that read "WANGARI MATHAAI MARRIES MUSICIAN ERIC WAINAINA" Others have read "HALF OF KENYAN MPS ARE HIV POSITIVE" This are just afew headlines that have graced the paper over the years and there are many others the list is just endless. This is irreponsible journalism and I dont think the President should be blackmailed into supporting bad or gutter press.

The Press and the Governemt should come together and come up with laws that will be acceptable to all. Meanwhile the Press should learn to regulate itself. They should learn from that Nation Media advert "The Dog ate my homewrok!"

On the other hand the goverment should never at any one time repeat the March attacks and should allow everyone to work in peace.be it a journalist, a garbage collector, a CEO or a hawker.

THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIP HOP

2006-11-11T16:19:00.000+03:00

The month of November marks the Anniversary of Hip Hop. The Anniversary hosts a positive Hip Hop community coming together from all walks of life to celebrate the true essence and excitement of what Hip Hop was meant to be.

Due to their lack of knowledge about the whole of Hip Hop culture, many of our world’s youth are mistaken in thinking that activities such as: smoking, drinking, wearing oversized designer label, bling bling plastered across their chest, grillz, gun carrying and getting shot nine times or whatever, or going to strip clubs, are “Hip Hop”. Hip Hop is being portrayed negatively by today’s artists who work in the element of Rap (emceeing), exploiting the culture at the expense of the youth’s state of mind and morality. The culture has become get rich stop trying.

Zulu Nation urges us to let Hip Hop be about Peace, Unity, Love, Having Fun, Positivism, Creativity, Tolerance, Respect, Party and Participating, Going Back to the Essence, Being Open Minded, and Devolution: Each One Teach One, consciousness and the up-liftment of all people.

This year, this month, all Hip Hoppers to work towards eliminating the negative stereotypes in Hip-Hop's public image and promote the elements of Hip-Hop culture so that we may all unite in the common spirit of the culture. Let’s guide Hip-hop Culture toward freedom from violence, and establishes advice and protection for the existence and development of the international Hip hop community.

Next year will mark ten years since the birth of local hip hop and it would be good for all hip hoppers to gather and pay tribute and respect to the legends of this culture to pay to our local equivalents of Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Herc, NWA, Krs One, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Roxane Shante and Wu Tang like Hardstone, Kshaka, late Poxi Presha, KSouth, Mashifta, Mwafrika, Nazizi and others who have done local hip hop proud.

Lastly there is African Hip Hop Awards. The Awards are aimed at saluting Africans that have contributed to the establishment of Hip Hop culture in countries throughout Africa. This year they were held in South Africa on 27th of August. Coming year we should see as many Kenyans registering for the event if our Hip Hop is to get recognized by the world. The media should try and publicize such an event so that our artists can benefit just as they have been doing with MTV awards.

Meanwhile Anga Banga, Dandora Burning, Mwafrika Presents: The Muki Garang Mixtape, Shika DVD, Mashifta’s Classics album, Kenyan: The First Chapter, Nairobbery and Wenyeji’s DC, among others should take you to the roots, and to the basics of emceeing.

Ntimama & Sukunli: Who is the smarter one?

2006-10-09T15:39:00.000+03:00

Age and experience do have their advantages as u will discover with this little tale..........

Ntimama, Sunkuli, Debra Senaipei and Wangari Maathai are sitting in a train. The train suddenly goes thru a tunnel and it gets completely dark. Suddenly there is a kissing sound and then a slap!

The train comes out of the tunnel. The women and Ntimama are sitting there looking perplexed. Sunkuli is bent over holding his face, which is sore from an apparent slap. All of them remain diplomatic and nobody says anything.

Maathai is thinking:

"This Sunkuli is crazy after Debra. He must have tried to kiss her in the tunnel. Very proper that she slapped him."

Debra is thinking:

"Sunkuli must have moved to kiss me, and kissed Maathai instead and got slapped."

Sunkuli is thinking:

"Damn it, Ntimama must have tried to kiss Maathai, she thought it was me and slapped me."

Ntimama is thinking:

"If this train goes through another tunnel, I could make another kissing sound and slap Sunkuli again....

MATATU: OUR MODERN DAY CAVE

2006-10-05T18:50:00.000+03:00

Since the dawn of man, public wall have been used as a prime surface for the creation and communication of ideas. Artistic symbols like hieroglyphics and other cave writings have been used by groups to identify, exemplify and edify philosophy for an eon years.

The ban on Matatu grafitti is a sad one for me and I call it "The Murder of art". I thank a matatu poster for what I know about Che Guevara. The visual image on him on a route 58 matatu was an amalgam that evoked immediate response in me (of wanting to know who the hell he was). With matatu, came a phenomenon in grafitt, a visual expression. Grafitti artists yell out, not as immature youths, but rather as mature modern thinkers during a period of history when artistic dissent and creativity is stifled by an art world filled with dogmatic tradition and a media culture pathetically addicted to the consumption of messages and images designed to propagate the sales of consumer products. The ban comes at a time when the graffitists have come up with what is called "The Piece", a composed stick-up depicting words, background, characters, quotes and messages (like route 9's The Game).

Four major values of grafitti culture in matatus are fame (expressed by poster of the famous from Tupac to Mahatma Gandhi), artistic expression, power and rebellion. The poster art on matatus is one powerful forms of communication. Our public transport gives thousands of artists a cherished oppourtunity to proclaim ourselves to the world. Its an annoucement of our indentity and a testimony of its existence. The matatu grafitti artists have a voice which sings freedom, rebellion and original thought. They are the last breed of artist, the one that has made the full cyclical return to what was the advent of visual creation, the cave artist. Art, any art . . . is a difficult and sometimes lonely road to travel. It does take hard work, patience, and perseverance to see your creation come to life and this is what the government is killing, the dreams, the talent, the jobs of thousands of matatu graffitists.

I am still afraid of seeing my favourite mats "Casino aka Thuggish(had graphix of hiphop heavy weights RZA, Krs One....)" and "The Game" of route 9 and one which I dont know the name plies route 23 with a huge Tupac graphic at the back. There is also a route 42 called B.I.G. A route 111 called Nasty with a DJ John image at the back. Ours is a style that you will never find in any part of the world. Why do we have to kill this culture???????

THE USE OF SHENG & HIP HOP

2006-10-05T13:03:00.000+03:00

I have read several article on use of Sheng in the dailies of late with utter dismay on sheer arogance displayed by those opposed to the language. I agree with most of the issues raised like the language being very different from one hood to another. But insulting it is out of context. I particulary found this quote from one writer very perturbing "Let Sheng be left to matatu touts, drug pushers, hopeless hip-hop musicians and school dropouts."

Creativity makes us (Youth) take existing words and transform them to Sheng to fit and describe our consiouness. Through Sheng we accurately express our thoughts and ideas.The conception that the youth must speak in English or pure Swahili to get anywhere is colonial/political old guard inherent aptitude. Its true Kenyan youths do not read and if we are to adopt a reading culture through Sheng, so be it. Write about Che Guevara to the youth in sheng and there will be more of his T-shirts in the streets. My point is, knowledge gained in whatever language is not inferior. I regulary use sheng and am not a drug pusher, a tout, a school drop out or a hip hop musician and am not lazy (as one writer claimed that the users of the language are lazy).

Hip Hop Musicians are not hopeless otherwise Krs-One and other artists would never have lectured Havard, Oxford or Yale. Tupac music would never be studied in Literature like it is in the States. Hip hop is a culture that is very misunderstood by many. To them hip hop is about guns, naked women/Bitches, clubing, drooping trousers and 50 Cent. Those that have this misconception are victims of media hog wash on Hip Hop. Hip Hop encompass not just rap music, but an entire lifestyle that consistently incorporates diverse elements of ethnicity, technology, art and urban life, a celebration of life and struggle. Lecturing those who are brain washed about this culture is equivalent to catching a leprechaun.

DEFINING HOT

2006-09-26T12:33:00.000+03:00

The Defination! Who will be standing when the smoke clears?

( Local Cats, Where do You place Ya'self?)

They not HOT, all they do is talk a lot,
That's not HOT, where's your respect on the block?
That's HOT, not cause you're friends with the media cops
That's not HOT, a real MC you're not

You got these kids gased up like you own the inventory
Fake muthafuckas ain't tellin the whole story
Tell em how you borrow from everyone you knew
And now that you're on top, they can't borrow from you
That's not hot, tell em how you love bein pop
Cause you was so broke before, sleepin cold on a cot
You don't rock, you talk gibber

It's about to get ugly,
They don't even go to these bullshit kiddie-ass clubs
Who really got these streets on lock?
Whose name really holds high respect on the block?
Who opened up these local hiphop and taught you how to rap?
They don't even sound like the rest of you kiddies
They study the ways of God, you studyin titties
And ass, I pity your class
Cause you come out with a blast
But you're trash, so you really don't last

A real MC you're not
This is hotter than heat, too deep,
They on top of the streets
You weak, you ain't really rockin their beats
But you're a slave, and yo, you can't come up in a heat tank
G-o-d they thank, they watch what they sell
You better hope these Christians are wrong cause you goin to hell
Think about that when you're spittin your raps

Lines from The Great Teacher

OPEN MIC: WHEN OBAMA BEKEME A SENETA

2006-09-07T17:33:00.001+03:00

When Obama bekem Seneta,
Gidi Gidi Maji Maji bekem 50 Sent.

When Obama bekem Seneta,
Mercy Myra bekem Jennifer Lopez.

When Obama bekem Seneta,
Achieng Abura bekem Queen Latifah.

When Obama bekem Seneta,
Suzzana Owiyo bekem Whitney Houston

When Obama bekem Seneta,
Dennis Oliech bekem Thierry henry.

When Obama bekem Seneta,
Louis Otieno bekem Larry King.

When Obama bekems Precident,
Kisum Siti will bekem State.

But do we Say... YAWAA*

Is Nas the axis of evil?

2006-08-27T13:32:00.000+03:00

Wasup guyz just been listening to Nas' mixtape called 'Death of Escobar' . I just like this guy he is ill with the lyrics. He is so good that a certain guy has started a capaign to prove that Nas is the axis of evil (666). The facts are really well researched. Whoever wrote it is well read and a tight hiphop listener so a kapukerian he may sound convincing or even doze to the explanation coz none of the trax quoted are mainstream. If u need the url to where you can get the article hit me up.

Am I alone in this or r u also smiling that Mahatma of Calif has finaly awoken from his slumber? I expect alot from him coz I always think of him as one of the consious after '...Shida zake millioni..' and 'mtu saba'.

Then there is this time i was riding in a matatu which was tuned to Kiss FM and I heard Angelah ...(whoever) say "...coming up next is, a song by a chic who is datin notorious rapper, one of the most notorious but consious rapper Nas........(and lots of other gibberish)". I was like "damn!!! Where does this presenter get her info from?" Its damn shame. Well for those of you who dont know why, U cant call Nas 'notorious'. The consious part sounded very blonde and Nas aint datin (her), he is married to her.

WHOZ MWAFRIKA: DEBATE THAT WAS IN THE PAPERS THIS WAS MY SAY

2006-08-04T14:13:00.000+03:00

Early this year there was a debate on who Mwaf was I sent this to Buzz but it was neva published coz the same day it was to appear they had an Interview with Mwaf.

I have been following the debate from readers on Mwafrika. The very first time i saw a letter from a reader asking whether Mwafrika was a celeb or not, i was like "do i write back or not?" Then i thought it wasnt worth it but subsequent letters on the same have made me change my mind.

First I'd like to define who a celebrity is. I would define a celeb as a person who is widely known, a state of being widely acclaimed or simply a famous person. Be it a sports, music, art, media, politics or any other field. You can also be famous because of your looks or behaviour. Rasta, Wacucu, Wanugu were also celebs if we go by that defination.

To tackle the issue at hand, I'll say who Mwafrika is and then what underground hip hop is so that we can understand why he is a celebrity.I have never been upclose with Mwafrika but I know him for the last three years for killing mics while freestyling at 98.4 blowing up live freestyle battles by ripping wack rappers, knocking out a plethora of independent releases in acapella creating a wave of respect and intergrity withing the local rap circles. Through his show 'The Joint' he has built a vast nationalwide loyal fun base.He rocks the mic with an array of witty punchlines and rhymes that are finished like furniture enamel.Most memorable mcees posses wisdom, skill, mystique, style, tight flow, great timing, rhythmic delivery, dope voice, exceptional inflection, perfect clarity and believe me Mwaf is all that if u have seen/heard him battle.

Underground rap is a postmodern style of music borne of the impoverished neighborhoods and wallows in depth perception and substance with little or no regard for the mainstream. It also tends to keep away from major labels and its artists are mainly idependent. It can also be said its not so radio friendly despite it being popular in 'streets'.

Mwafrika can be categorised into underground rap coz he can never work with a label like Blu Zebra, Ogopa and does not rap about alcohol, clubing and women as other musician have choosen. One of the reasons why is he called the lord of the underground is because he is one of the best that the genre has locally having won numerous battles. Another reason is because in his show, most of the music he plays is hardcore and gangsta which are core to the underground rather than mainstream rap.

Being an underground artists does not mean that you are underground as a person. For example, Mashifta, Kshaka etc are very much known but their music can be classified as underground.

Those who say Mwaf is not known can be called 'general rap consumer' who defined as one who happens not to be very good at playing catch up. as in they do not see metaphors, skill, messages, sylabels, intlectual phrases, articulation so on and so on......mostly what is visible to them is cheap rhymes. To a general rap consumer, Nameless, Prezzo, The Vultures, Logombas are the local equivalents of NWA, Tribe Called Quest, Tupac, Biggie, Nas, Common, Canibus and to them, 50 Cent is the best thing since the invetion of the wheel.

Hate it or love it Mwaf is here to stay and is very famous to genuine hip hop funs.

MY REVIEW ON THE SONG 'NAJIDAI' BY NAMELESS FEAT NYASH

2006-08-04T14:08:00.000+03:00

I have been listening to radio and I have heard Nameless' new trak that features Nyash of Kleopto. As an ardent hip hoper, the song 'Jidai' caught my attention coz it was a rebuttal for FBI's war songs. So I conluded it is a battle rap.

Battle raps come in two basic forms. One is a live battle where rappers face off in person. The second is a record battle where its done in studio on song. True rap battle involves no physical fighting. Its a test of skill. A test of how well one has mastered bewildering array of lyricall display characterised by a synthesis of well crafted rhymes, elaborate metaphors, intellectual phrases, messages, improvisation, multi syllables and importantly one's articulate and effortless delivery.

Back to Nameless trak, its a poor show from a man his age. There is a line where he brags how much money he has earned and the loads of girls he has. I dont dispute all that but battle rap aint about money or girls but a show of skill. I should hear something intelligent from Nameless than crap considering he just got married and being one of the few local artist with degrees. He may possess glamorous image and magnificiency but he lacks 'micnificiency' in that song. Its like Michael Jackson doing rap. He claims that he has been in music for long of which I concur but it aint reflected in his lyrics. It does not redeem his image as a rapper to those who knew him when he used to 'take a Megaride' or 'converse' with 'majitu' . Nyash is a prodigy in terms of smooth flow but he still needs a workout in formulating his own style. I believe Nyash will never spit harder (prove me wrong Nyash) than he did on 'tuendelee' which was a perfect showmanship of skill. I however think it had a nice hook and a line i liked where he says something like 'mkifanya show mbele ya kioo......" that was a good line.

Examples of real battle emcee are Canibus, Nas, Ras Kass, our very own Mwafrika, Chiwawa, L-Ness, among others. Nameless should borrow a leaf from them and especially from the song Dc na Sisi from Mau Mau which though not aimed at anyone was a classic battle rap.

So long as rap remains, emcee battles will never end. So long as nobody is hurt or killed (physically), its natural to destroy and rebuild which to an extent spurs creativity as it was witnessed with Kleopto.

Death of Rap and Lingala: Appeared in Buzz(Sunday Nation) on 7th August 2005

2006-08-04T13:43:00.000+03:00

Back in the days when there were two FM stations, Metro FM used to be everyones favourite. They captured every age and almost everyone coz they played almost every music genre.

My favourite shows were the "metro love zone' and 'the afternoon switch'. Everyone got to admit Metro's love zone was the best late night show we had. Kool R&B used to sooth our tired souls leaving us smitten. Another show that rocked was the afternoon switch. This is the show that introduced Kshaka, N.N, GidiMaji, Majizee, Ksouth, Hardstone among other hiphop pioneers to us. The show played underground local/International hiphop to the delight of real rap funs. I was one of those who never missed the show if I wanted to know a new local artist. They played the kind of rap you will never hear in any other station with the exception of Da Joint (Y fm) and Eve D Souza's 'Hits not Home Work'

Now that the station has decided to go Reggae 24/7, I think its a big blow to the slowly dying R&B and of course a another nail in the coffin for local and international underground hiphop.he impact of this will be felt by people who love hardcore rap that got consious lyrics. Ask most the underground cats and you will hear their musical careers have come down with it. There will be no more Muki Garang, most of Ukoo Flani Maumau music, and most of Ksouth oldies among others.

Its also the last nail on the coffin for the long dead lingala, and Caribbean music that the station played. Reggae is rising at a high rate because most kenyans are tired with local and international kapuka which is played over and over in major fm stations. However I got a problem with reggae coz of how local funs are violent during their shows. Y fm ofcourse now inherits most of the metro fm funs who loved the afternoon switch.

SUPREME_GREAM DEFINES GENGE ON WIKIPEDIA

2006-07-26T10:31:00.000+03:00

I love writing and I thought I should join www.wikipedia.com and put my writings there to. My very first wiriting was to define GENGE subsequent writers have edited it. I then added some other writings like on what they had about Kalamashaka. I was to add KAPUKA (Kenya Music genre) but they already had something on KAPUKA which is very different from a music point of view. I am yet to know how I should sneek in my KAPUKA. Meanwhile to those who love KAPUKA should thank God that I havent written a thing coz I HATE the genre and I do not support any of its artists.

MWAFRIKA PRESENTS: 'MUKI GARANG THE MIXTAPE'

2006-07-23T11:47:00.000+03:00

Guyz I dont know what local music we listen to. If a man would sing to his gal how he goes to sleep (With boredom) on thinkin about her while ingratiating how he loves her, and then go ahead win an award for it, I think we doomed. Then a respected paper pulls out a two page defense of the same! The media has unremittingly given lyrically lame artists a chance ahead of of those who can display skill in a mystifying manner. This mixtape is about writing skills of Muki and Mwaf.

Outside Dandora Burning, this mixtape is the best thing I've heard in a long time. I love the heavy satire applied by Muki and Mwaf to create one of the best underground collaboz I have heard since Kshaka, Mashifta & Naz did Mangirima. I think its a kind of a positive thing that Mwaf left Y FM coz he has suddenly grown into a lyrical god with this Mixtape. Trax to look out for in this are 'Upuzi', 'Spontaneous Combustion', 'How we Do', the sacarstic 'Drop It Like it Hot' ......get the mixtape guyz I found all the trax to be hot. There is some Neo-Soul in it to and damn I love it, I love it, I love it. There is some good humour in it (sapmple this line: "........ kwa microphone rhyme zangu hazina kipimo, mimi wakalee huwanga waniita Keino, wewe wasepere ndio wanaitanga keino"). They sampled some of Kibaki's speeches and it comes out nicely in the trak 'Upuzi'.

Themes covered range from crime, politics, diseases, exploitation, unemployment, arbotion, poverty, civil unrest by arrogant university students, lack of hiphop airplay in the mainstream media, the demise of writing skills among most of our musicians and lots of other issues. A tribute to heros like Garang. Styles used, rhyme, satire, 'rhetory' (rhetoric), and lots of metaphors. There is also an element of story telling in some of Muki's lines. Get a copy now u will not be disappointed.

For all bullimics for kapuka wipe your smiles.

That Delamare Son

2006-05-11T20:01:00.000+03:00

This is different from what this blog should be about but Iam very mad at some white man.

It has been in the news all day that ugly (yeah I said it. someone had to say it) Delamare son with an unpronoucable first name shot another kenyan. What the fuck is wrong with this arsehole? The first time we were mad at him, then he was acquited of it n we got even madder. Slowly we forgot about it with all the anglo leasin dramaz and media gaggin soaps. He looks at the situation and thinks he has been out of the limelight and decides its time he made it in the front pages and gets all of mad. Coz after all, what the fuck can u do about it? Wako will dismiss murder charges against him.

Fuck him n his huge land I dont see what he is doing here when thousands of Kenyans r bila land. What percentage does he contribute to Kenya's economy so that his arse can be spared? Swear if I ever become president of this Country I will kick him out n anyother foreigner who treats Kenyans like some dirt or some dog. Kamaa of Kalamashaka just said in Dandora Burning Album that "Tutakushow vile huyu Delamare atakaa missing". Its time he stayed missing in Kenya. I wish Kibaki had nerve like Uncle Mugabe.

What do u think guyz it a rant n rave forumn u welkamed to vent your anger.

Dandora Burning & SHIKA DVD

2006-05-08T20:35:00.000+03:00

Wadup

I've been known to tear fake mcs with my blogs and writings to either buzz or pulse. example of my writing is one that i analysed Nameless single titled "Najidai" which featured Nyash of Kleopto. I love hiphop like sikui nini nothing kams b4 it. If you google UkooFlani Maumau you will probably get a link to a blog I've written especially in www.lifeinred.com

Kilio Cha Haki was to me the best album 2004/2005 and lover of concious rap should get one. However I think there is a better CD than that. Dandora Burning. I just purchased one and am at the moment listenin to a trak called 'Mazishi' there other hot traks like 'Piga Bao', 'Constantly', 'Chunguzia'. I bought it on May's Hiphop nite at Kshs 500.00. Its the best thing I've ever owned locally. There is this other DVD compilation called SHIKA. Yaani Street Happen In Kenya & AFrica. It has freestyles from underground MCs like Dream whom I've known through Hiphop Nites. There other established rappers like Doobezz, Mwafrika, Wawesh and Big Mike. get a copy its going for like Kshs 400.00. The nite was kul no attitude from the clan members they mingled freely with the funs signin autoz and chapaing freestyles.

Jua Cali has good lyrics and is one who keeps it real in Calif. I also like Mahatma but he seems lazy coz since he tokead in 2003 Dec he's done two singles. He is very lyrical and probaly should be a member of Maumau Ukooflani. Muki Garang is also cool. Walanguzi to r off the hook.Did u know UKOO FLANI is a acronym. it meansUpendo Kote Olewenyu Ombeni Funzo La Aliyetuumba; Njia IwepoLove Everywhere all who believe teachings of the creator there is a way.I think thats very bright. Keep it real guyz am tooo excited about owning an autographed dandora Burning