The evolution of Luo music continues. In comes synthesizers, auto-tune, modern studio production equipment and video production with lots of glitz and glamour. Gone are the days when videos were shot at middle-class clubs with poor lighting and little to no professionalism. All the videos looked the same: same dancers, same dance moves and almost similar attire. All these are forever gone. There is a new wave catching on and the Luo music fans can look to a great future.
The past decade beginning 2010 has seen proliferation of Luo Rhumba and Ohangla artists jostling to make names for themselves. Benga as a genre has been on the wane but still maintains its presence like a bad smell that just wont go away. There are probably thousands of Luo musicians in the world today but for the purpose of this article I'll consider only those who have made a mark in the past decade, in no particular order. This list, however, is by no means exhaustive.
1. John Junior - John Junior has ruled the local airwaves for what looks like an eternity. Starting his solo career in his early twenties, many people tipped him to be the next big thing in Kenyan rhumba scene. And he got off to such a good start. His first album got people comparing him to Musa Juma. And if his first album was good then the second was even better. He constantly outdid himself and in 2014 released what is perhaps his best album to date. Titled "Nyoremo" the album boasts of five tracks that have endeared John Juniour to Luo rhumba lovers as the best composer and singer alive.
2. Eng. Woud Fibi - Also "Le Grand Presidente" is a mega producer, composer, singer and performing artist who has almost single-handedly revolutionized Ohangla as a genre. His famed Barikiwa Studio based in Lucky Summer has been in the forefront in changing the face of Luo music, churning out quality records year in and year out. He isn't afraid to try new things either incorporating electro-sounds and synthesizers. He has produced for almost all the A-listers of Luo music today including Igwe Bandason, Onyango Mayienga, Musa Jakadalla, Emma Jalamo and his nemesis Koffi MacAdory and Madanji Perimeter. He remains the producer to watch out for in this decade and the next.
3. Koffi MacAdory - Eric Onyango Otieno is his real name but it's his stage name that many recognize. When the likes of Tony Nyadundo and Onyi Papa Jey got everyone stuck on "traditional look" performing predominantly in funerals and Makuti clubs, clad in traditional attire (fly-whisks, animal skins and bird-feather head gear) it was Koffi MacAdory that broke the mould and started dressing and shooting videos in more modern outfit. People say he copies Diamond Platinumz's dressing but that not withstanding he has cut out a niche for himself that keeps him ahead of the chasing pack of modern Ohangla musicians like a hare in tortoise's race. And he doesn't have a knack for cheap things. He invest so much in his music videos, you'd think he's outright crazy. His rivalry with Emma Jalamo has worked out for him contrary to what people thought. It was Emma Jalamo who seemed to be winning the duel with MacAdory, the latter never replying to the former's verbal 'smackdown' on him but who's smiling now?
4. Musa Jakadalla - Musa Jakadalla of Hera Remo fame remains one of the most popular Ohangla musicians today. He's one of the few ohangla musicians that have kept pace with the changing tastes and trends and is making it big in the game. Make no mistake, this guy is not going anywhere. He is talented, and unlike most Ohangla musicians looks so smart and well reasoned.
5. John K - So much for Ohangla genre. If you're talking about modern Luo rhumba you're just as likely to mention his name - John K of SoutiRhumba - as you are to mention Musa Juma's or John Junior. He is quietly making it big. Unlike most Luo rhumba artists, he sings fluent Lingala, Swahili and Dholuo. The Kenyan or Luo music scene has not seen anything like him since the days of Ochieng Kabaselleh and Musa Juma. He sings with so much ease and flaboyance, he could well pass for Madilu System. His song "Nyakisumu" which you can watch on you tune is particularly well composed. Luo Rhumba has been crying out for a successor to Kabaselleh and Juma; John K might just be the answer.
Epilogue
Make sure to read Part 2 of this article in our next post.We have more surprise artists on the list coming up. Please feel free to suggest articles you'd like to read on this blog. Till next, goodbye.
The past decade beginning 2010 has seen proliferation of Luo Rhumba and Ohangla artists jostling to make names for themselves. Benga as a genre has been on the wane but still maintains its presence like a bad smell that just wont go away. There are probably thousands of Luo musicians in the world today but for the purpose of this article I'll consider only those who have made a mark in the past decade, in no particular order. This list, however, is by no means exhaustive.
1. John Junior - John Junior has ruled the local airwaves for what looks like an eternity. Starting his solo career in his early twenties, many people tipped him to be the next big thing in Kenyan rhumba scene. And he got off to such a good start. His first album got people comparing him to Musa Juma. And if his first album was good then the second was even better. He constantly outdid himself and in 2014 released what is perhaps his best album to date. Titled "Nyoremo" the album boasts of five tracks that have endeared John Juniour to Luo rhumba lovers as the best composer and singer alive.
2. Eng. Woud Fibi - Also "Le Grand Presidente" is a mega producer, composer, singer and performing artist who has almost single-handedly revolutionized Ohangla as a genre. His famed Barikiwa Studio based in Lucky Summer has been in the forefront in changing the face of Luo music, churning out quality records year in and year out. He isn't afraid to try new things either incorporating electro-sounds and synthesizers. He has produced for almost all the A-listers of Luo music today including Igwe Bandason, Onyango Mayienga, Musa Jakadalla, Emma Jalamo and his nemesis Koffi MacAdory and Madanji Perimeter. He remains the producer to watch out for in this decade and the next.
3. Koffi MacAdory - Eric Onyango Otieno is his real name but it's his stage name that many recognize. When the likes of Tony Nyadundo and Onyi Papa Jey got everyone stuck on "traditional look" performing predominantly in funerals and Makuti clubs, clad in traditional attire (fly-whisks, animal skins and bird-feather head gear) it was Koffi MacAdory that broke the mould and started dressing and shooting videos in more modern outfit. People say he copies Diamond Platinumz's dressing but that not withstanding he has cut out a niche for himself that keeps him ahead of the chasing pack of modern Ohangla musicians like a hare in tortoise's race. And he doesn't have a knack for cheap things. He invest so much in his music videos, you'd think he's outright crazy. His rivalry with Emma Jalamo has worked out for him contrary to what people thought. It was Emma Jalamo who seemed to be winning the duel with MacAdory, the latter never replying to the former's verbal 'smackdown' on him but who's smiling now?
4. Musa Jakadalla - Musa Jakadalla of Hera Remo fame remains one of the most popular Ohangla musicians today. He's one of the few ohangla musicians that have kept pace with the changing tastes and trends and is making it big in the game. Make no mistake, this guy is not going anywhere. He is talented, and unlike most Ohangla musicians looks so smart and well reasoned.
5. John K - So much for Ohangla genre. If you're talking about modern Luo rhumba you're just as likely to mention his name - John K of SoutiRhumba - as you are to mention Musa Juma's or John Junior. He is quietly making it big. Unlike most Luo rhumba artists, he sings fluent Lingala, Swahili and Dholuo. The Kenyan or Luo music scene has not seen anything like him since the days of Ochieng Kabaselleh and Musa Juma. He sings with so much ease and flaboyance, he could well pass for Madilu System. His song "Nyakisumu" which you can watch on you tune is particularly well composed. Luo Rhumba has been crying out for a successor to Kabaselleh and Juma; John K might just be the answer.
Epilogue
Make sure to read Part 2 of this article in our next post.We have more surprise artists on the list coming up. Please feel free to suggest articles you'd like to read on this blog. Till next, goodbye.
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