- Title: KENYA: Popular Kenyan artist Kainjii Mbugua launches first solo album
- Date: 10th December 2008
- Summary: KANJII PERFORMING AUDIENCE MORE OF KANJII SINGING
- Embargoed: 25th December 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVA6SI11OABOS1P6M1B9Q0SG3V47
- Story Text: It's less than three hours to the launch of his first solo album, so popular Kenyan musician and producer Kanjii Mbugua is putting in a few more minutes of practice before the gates open.
His music is a blend of rhythms from across the continent with traces of American pop, hip-hop and R&B.
Kanjii has been in the industry for over a decade, as the fourth member of US-based gospel group Milele. He then moved on to produce and perform on numerous projects and performances with well-known artists like Kora Award winner Eric Wainana.
The popular entertainer is also behind the "Mavuno Worship Project", East Africa's first-ever live concert DVD.
Kanjii's debut effort "Stories", is a collection of songs discussing social injustice, relationships, politics and a variety of other issues affecting African youth.
"You know, I'm always telling stories, you know this happened to a friend of mine, or this happened to me, or I heard this happened or stuff like that, and also based on my observing of life and being able to see things that happen and write stories based on what I see. You know I kind of synthesise what's happening around me into a story that now people can be able to listen to, enjoy and learn something from. So that's the whole idea behind (the album) Stories," Kanjii told Reuters shortly before his debut concert on Sunday (December 7).
Kanjii says the "Stories" launch is merely the tip of the iceberg.
Through the record label and studio he has started called "Kijiji", which means "the village" in Kiswahili, Kanji hopes to further inspire budding artists and their listeners to responsibly address social issues rather than just emulate western musical trends.
"I think it was a wonderful show man, you know, people showed up.
I think the biggest take out for me is that people had fun, but then also left with something. I hope the transformational message of this young generation of Africans, who can be the change Africa needs to see, it's been carried forth by the people who came, and I hope that that message goes out,"
Kanjii said after the show.
An estimated 2000 people attended the concert, which organisers say is impressive, given the "socially conscious" nature of the majority of Kanjii's songs -- as opposed to the club anthems that dominate Nairobi's airwaves.
"Too many of us Kenyans are still afraid to take action. We are afraid to take responsibility into our own hands and we'd rather sit back and wait for someone else to come do it. So by Kanjii actually starting out and saying people, we can do this, like the last song 'Stand Up, Young Man' putting it back to us and telling us, you know what, its responsibility is in our hands, we are not going to wait for someone else to come do it, we have to start," said audience member George Mimano.
African artists usually struggle to overcome piracy and the economic constraints facing their potential customers, but Kainjii's fans are confident that he will be able to build a successful solo career.
"First, he has a great voice and his messages are quite, can I say appealing. Yeah, they capture people, let's just say he's gifted, in a way, I think God will use him to reach many people," added Chebet Kownyike, who was also at the show.
Given the favourable reception from fans at the album launch, songs from "Stories" are likely to feature prominently when Kijiji takes its monthly "Live at the Village" shows to neighbouring Uganda's capital Kampala, next year. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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