If you have been listening to Ohangla or Luo Benga for a while then you'll probably be familiar with the name Okoth Niang' Loth. I don't know, but his name just pops out a lot in the dedications (or what Congolese people refer to as "Kobwaka mabanga"). The Kobwaka Mabanga culture is a phenomena associated with sending dedications to often rich people - mostly patrons of the art - who in one way or another has supported an artiste's craft. Translating literally to "throwing stones" it has been a huge part of the Congolese rumba tradition. Names Like Patrique Luwowo, Tchatcho Mbala, Adam Bombole, Didi Kinuani, Kayembe Chez Temba, Jose Kongolo FBI, Tabou Fatou "Mama na Compressor", Eddy Badiata and Ahmed Bakayoko pop up a lot in the dedications. The Kobwaka Mabanga culture is a phenomena associated with sending dedications to (often) rich people  mostly patrons of the art. Well, Luo music has a version of their own. You'll hear names lik...

Well, this is rather weird. Trouble is something we all try to avoid. But for some reason, you are here. Our natural animal or human instincts abhors trouble and craves peace and pleasure. But sometimes you just want to get into some trouble, for the sake of it. It's good for your nose - sorry - your brain and then again, we'll all die some day anyway. So, trouble is not worth avoiding, if you think about it, and even more so if you don't. It will rear its beautiful head into your life regardless. Love it or hate it, believe it or not, trouble is part of life (and death). The good book says, or so I've heard, that "a man born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble ". Read that again (I know you won't, but I don't care). My guess is that you're a man and that you were brought forth by a woman and that's why you're here, trying to make your life short and full of trouble.. There are all sorts of (good) reasons why one might want to get...

When Okatch Biggy sang in his song "Nyathi Nyakach" the words, " Sianda mabeyogi nonega nono. Sianda madongogi nowita oko "(These beautiful buttocks will kill me for nothing. These big buttocks confuse me) he wasn't trying to be funny or controversial. He was simply making music. Yet these words have come to define how his life and music will forever be viewed and have gone on to inspire a generation of artistes to shake of the shackles of religious-cultural norms of modesty and decency and find the courage to spew all manners of lewd messages and insults all over their music. Not long after that he produced yet another work "Adhiambo sianda" which took lewdness to new heights. In fact this song, plus other Biggy's works have been the subject of a doctoral thesis by the renown Kenya scholar Dr. T.M. Mboya, who argues that these loose expressions and the casual manner in which the grave issues of Sex, HIV and AIDS were talked about in the entertain...

 Okay, fine they did win it, they're third on the league and are still in contention for a rare quadruple. Manchester United look like a team on a roll, and the only question is: who's gonna stop them? Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. This analysis requires some levelheadedness, something rare and very rare indeed among the United fan-base. You'll remember Liverpool were at the exact spot just 6 months ago and we all know what happened. But before we address all that, let's spare a moment to analyze the game - something the mass media and the pundits don't seem to be able to do. Jose Mourihno once opined that that the pundits analyze the result rather than the game, the outcome rather than the means. In fact, that is the same thing we've been treated to since last night. No one is talking about how brave Newcastle United fought. No one is talking about the kind of negative football Man United played just to get the result. But that has been the Man Un...

 "Freres Soki" is the eighth track on Kanda Bongoman's 1991 album tittle "Zing Zong". It is a tribute to two brothers Emile Soki Dianzenza and Soki Vangu who were the founders and band leaders in Orchestra Bella Bella Band in which Kanda had a brief stint as a vocalist. The tittle of the song "Freres Soki" is French for "Soki Brothers" in reference to the two brothers. Tragically the two brothers died within a year of each other. Dianzenza passed on in 1990 and Vangu closely followed behind in 1991. Kanda Bongpman's song is a tribute to both of them. With legendary Congolese guitarist Nene Tchakou on the lead guitar, Mimi Kazidona on rhythm guitar, Kaber Kabasele on the percussions and Kanda Bongoman on the vocals, the song is soft, smooth and melodious as you would expect of the legendary muscian. The song is sang almost entirely in Lingala language. Without much a do let's get right into the lyrics, shall we? (The translations are b...

Emily Nyaimbo - Ng'at Mahero Lyrics Translated from Luo language of Kenya (Translations are bracketed). Nyathi gi Ajuma atumo nduma   (Ajuma's sibling, I start my song) Nyaimbo akelo rumba-na mos ji-miela   (Nyaimbo I deliver my rumba slowly as people dance) Akelo wer mos, kawero wuoyini wuoyi mahero nyakwar Agunda bii inena , ( I deliver the song slowly as I sing about this man whom I love, I call him the 'grandson of Agunda' come and see me) Awach ang'o mamori herana, tiwinjo Amilo nyakwar Owili mosiepi?   (What can I say to make you happy, my friend, since you can hear me, I'm your lover, the granddaughter of Owili?) Yuora rateng' to muol   (He is black and polite) Mamoro ja-choir nayiero Odero Dier chuo te noromo    (I chose him among many men becaouse he's perfect) Atim ang'o?   (What can I do?) Tiromona wuoyi   (You're the perfect man for me) Nyiri madwari ochung' chien mondi   (All the ladies that clamor for your love can stand aside)...

There is this popular song by Emily Nyaimbo, sang mainly in Luo Language (Dholuo), which I have come to love so much. The song tittled "ng'ama ahero" or "ng'at mahero" speaks about the persona's lover who is apparently trying to leave her. The lyrics go like... Nyathi gi Ajuma Atumo nduma, Nyaimbo akelo rumba-na mos ji-miela, Akelo wer mos kawero wuoyini - wuoyi mahero nyakwar Agunda bi inena, Awach ang'o mamori herana tiwinjo Amilo nyakwar Owili mosiepi? Yuora rateng' to muol, mamoro ja-choir nayiero Odero edier chuo te noromo, Atim ang'o, tiromona wuoyi, Nyiri madwari ochung' chien mondi gikethona hera, Orudo kakethona hera none masira None Atur Margaryian gi guogine. Aweyi kamano, Topar chien kaka newachako  chakruok Hera jirwenyoga Takoni kama: Ibed motang josem aneno oluoro nge'wa jogi ketho herawa, Takone josem nilos dalani kisha kitieko loso kari ekinyalo wacho ng'ato, Ka ng'ato ohero ng'ate tuneno malit kata makosa...