Luo benga is a crowded scene. It is a boiling pot teeming with hundreds of artistes, both dead and alive, young and old, males and females jostling for space in this very competitive music world.We have legends like the late
George Ramogi, the late Owino Missiani (also known as DO Missiani), The late
Okatch Biggy, the late Prince July, the late Prince Kassam, the late Omondi
Tony, the late Kollela Maze, The late Kodiyo, to sample but a few. We
also have an emerging crop of young talents like Dolla Kabarry, George Dume,
Otieno Small, Kamaliza Majengo, Aluoch Jamaranda, Reggie Kabaselle (son
of the late Ochieng Kabaselleh), Aluoch Jipanoran, Ogina KoKo, Omondi Longlilo,
Jerry Jalamo Ka'John and Osito Kalle to mention but a few.
We cannot all agree who is the best and I am not going to impose my choices on you. But we can agree that from the long list of Benga artists in Luoland a few names stand out and a few songs stand out from the bunch like giraffe in heard of gazelles (well, maybe that’s a little exaggeration). We all know a good song when we hear it. No one needs an education on this. And while we admit that people's taste in almost everything differ widely, we yet know that preferences overlap. And it is where these overlap that the true genius exists.
Have a look at my top ten Benga Songs of all time and see if you don't find a song you also love:
1. Nga mahero by Emily Nyaimbo.
There may be many bees in the hive but there’s only one queen. Make no mistake about it, this is the benga song of the century, at least as far as Luo benga is concerned. Emily knows how to compose songs but in this one, she pours out her soul in the lyrics. And that voice! You have to listen again and again before you believe it’s really her voice you’re hearing. It could easily pass for an angels'
2. Anita Nyar Usonga by Omondi Long'lilo.
What a name for an artiste!? But make no mistake about it, Omondi Long'lilo is the bomb and in this song he sings like it’s his last. The guitar is some of the best you’ll hear in a benga song and the composition.... I dare not comment about that. What a song! This song is probably the best in the history of the genre. This massively underrated artiste from Bondo has done it again.
3. Diana by Aluoch Jamaranda
I dont get so hang up about love songs but this one is the shit. In this artistic masterpiece Aluoch Jamarand sings like a man possessed. The way his lines rhyme, the way he plays around with words and the way his voice rises and falls with ease like an ocean tide, makes your mind want to explode with ecstasy. Jamaranda is not vulgar or raunchy but he still describes love in such graphic detail that you can almost see it. But he doesn’t bore you with too much lyrics either. If there is such thing as Lyrical Economics, then Jamaranda is the inventor. You will fall in love with this song. If you don’t, please check your pulse coz you may be dead.
4. Adoche by Okatch Biggy
Undoubtly the biggest name in modern benga, Okatch Biggy stands out from the pack like a sore thumb. Well, almost. The most accomplished composer and singer in the genre by a long mile, there is hardly a song this benga enigma sung that’s not a hit. The late Okatch Biggy never wrote a bad song. He never knew how to do it. In fact one might argue that without Okatch Biggy there probably would be no benga music today. And this is not an overstatement. He revolutionized the genre, popularized it and owned it. When he passed on -rather untimely in 1998 - benga died with him. Benga has never truly rediscovered its allure and glamour in Luo socio-political arena to date and probably never will. Benga has since been overtaken by Ohangla as the most popular genre of music.
Talking about this song in particular, you can’t tell whether it is benga or rumba. It is a unique blend that only a genius mind can put together. He sings about friendship, love and religion seamlessly fusing the topics like a seasoned philosopher. Most of Biggy’s songs are “dirty” but that cannot be said of this masterpiece (sorry for the repetition). Slow and modest, this song can well be Okatch Biggy’s finest… had I said this already? I can go on and on talking about this song but worlds will never suffice to capture the true charm of it. You just have to take a listen.
5. Born smart by George Ramogi
The late George Ramogi was a phenomenon. To me, he’s the greatest Luo singer to have ever lived. I’m serious about this. This Legend churned out great hits one after another at such a rate it puts current artistes to shame. George Ramogi’s songs are distinctively educative and decent. But in this song, George Ramogi teaches, cries, cajoles and boy, does he nag! This song does not just stand out because of the great guitar and intricate instrumentals, no. It is the quality of its composition that makes it stand out and that’s what music is all about, right?
Are you interested in learning some popular Luo words and phrases? Find some helpful resources here. If you enjoyed reading this article please don’t forget to let us know. Your comments will be highly appreciated.
We cannot all agree who is the best and I am not going to impose my choices on you. But we can agree that from the long list of Benga artists in Luoland a few names stand out and a few songs stand out from the bunch like giraffe in heard of gazelles (well, maybe that’s a little exaggeration). We all know a good song when we hear it. No one needs an education on this. And while we admit that people's taste in almost everything differ widely, we yet know that preferences overlap. And it is where these overlap that the true genius exists.
Have a look at my top ten Benga Songs of all time and see if you don't find a song you also love:
1. Nga mahero by Emily Nyaimbo.
There may be many bees in the hive but there’s only one queen. Make no mistake about it, this is the benga song of the century, at least as far as Luo benga is concerned. Emily knows how to compose songs but in this one, she pours out her soul in the lyrics. And that voice! You have to listen again and again before you believe it’s really her voice you’re hearing. It could easily pass for an angels'
2. Anita Nyar Usonga by Omondi Long'lilo.
What a name for an artiste!? But make no mistake about it, Omondi Long'lilo is the bomb and in this song he sings like it’s his last. The guitar is some of the best you’ll hear in a benga song and the composition.... I dare not comment about that. What a song! This song is probably the best in the history of the genre. This massively underrated artiste from Bondo has done it again.
3. Diana by Aluoch Jamaranda
I dont get so hang up about love songs but this one is the shit. In this artistic masterpiece Aluoch Jamarand sings like a man possessed. The way his lines rhyme, the way he plays around with words and the way his voice rises and falls with ease like an ocean tide, makes your mind want to explode with ecstasy. Jamaranda is not vulgar or raunchy but he still describes love in such graphic detail that you can almost see it. But he doesn’t bore you with too much lyrics either. If there is such thing as Lyrical Economics, then Jamaranda is the inventor. You will fall in love with this song. If you don’t, please check your pulse coz you may be dead.
4. Adoche by Okatch Biggy
Undoubtly the biggest name in modern benga, Okatch Biggy stands out from the pack like a sore thumb. Well, almost. The most accomplished composer and singer in the genre by a long mile, there is hardly a song this benga enigma sung that’s not a hit. The late Okatch Biggy never wrote a bad song. He never knew how to do it. In fact one might argue that without Okatch Biggy there probably would be no benga music today. And this is not an overstatement. He revolutionized the genre, popularized it and owned it. When he passed on -rather untimely in 1998 - benga died with him. Benga has never truly rediscovered its allure and glamour in Luo socio-political arena to date and probably never will. Benga has since been overtaken by Ohangla as the most popular genre of music.
Talking about this song in particular, you can’t tell whether it is benga or rumba. It is a unique blend that only a genius mind can put together. He sings about friendship, love and religion seamlessly fusing the topics like a seasoned philosopher. Most of Biggy’s songs are “dirty” but that cannot be said of this masterpiece (sorry for the repetition). Slow and modest, this song can well be Okatch Biggy’s finest… had I said this already? I can go on and on talking about this song but worlds will never suffice to capture the true charm of it. You just have to take a listen.
5. Born smart by George Ramogi
The late George Ramogi was a phenomenon. To me, he’s the greatest Luo singer to have ever lived. I’m serious about this. This Legend churned out great hits one after another at such a rate it puts current artistes to shame. George Ramogi’s songs are distinctively educative and decent. But in this song, George Ramogi teaches, cries, cajoles and boy, does he nag! This song does not just stand out because of the great guitar and intricate instrumentals, no. It is the quality of its composition that makes it stand out and that’s what music is all about, right?
Are you interested in learning some popular Luo words and phrases? Find some helpful resources here. If you enjoyed reading this article please don’t forget to let us know. Your comments will be highly appreciated.
Ezali malamu mingi
ReplyDeleteMerci mingi ndeko na ngai
DeleteI doubt. Seems like no one has listened to songs like; Apidi nyar John or Hera gima rumo. What of Joice Akinyi nyar Gem, and Okello Jabondo? And Asembo piny maber? Jagedo ma Janguono by brother Charlly, Helen Kájos by Baba Jossy? Hully Aoko? Safari ya Musoma - D.O Misiani? Marcelina - MJ? Fatuma by Omoya Sherry? I could type the whole night!
ReplyDeleteThank you brother for your thoughts but this list is by no means exhaustive. There are some great Luo Benga songs out there some of which I have not even listened to, and of course we cannot certainly agree on everything but If I went mostly with the current crop.... I'll draw a better list someday..
ReplyDeleteOmera we want whatsapp group for lingala language asap
ReplyDeleteIndeed
DeleteThe list isn't complete without Aluoch Pamba nyar Alego
ReplyDeleteWithout Osito kale, the list isn't complete.
ReplyDeleteWithout prince Kassam, the list is incomplete
ReplyDeleteGentlemen and ladies of Kenya, you seem not to reaaly know best benga songs very much. I am a Zimbabwean who had his youth in the late 1970s when Benga was at its peak. Have you ever played songs: Nelly Akoth, Daniel Wandago, Monica Akech, Bethwel Odinya, all by Richard Odongo Guya of the Gem Lucky Band fame? If not, then you are still to be initiated into Benga music, I tell you. Play them and you will know how the lead guitar and rithym guitar of benga can mesmerise you into oblivion. Then come Shirati Jazz band with songs: Samson Muko, Siri Kobanda, Kiseru, Jakonya, Hotel Inspector, and I tell you it makes forget that you will one day die. Jane Macyline by Daniel Kamau was like a war theme song as we fought a guerrila war for our liberation here Zimbabwe. And there are many, Theresa Tosometi by Keumbu, Liza Oloo by Victoric Kings, Selina Achieng by John Achieng, Onyango Suli, Ben Onyango Jegendia by Kendu Jazz. benga music provided morale as fought fierce battles with the colonialists. I have all these songs in soft copy for those who are true Benga music fans. But there are others I cannot find anymore. And in Zimbabwe Benga shaped our music style, but the tempo and dexterity involved in the rithym guitar and the lead can never be equal to the original benga beat of Kenya musicians I have mentioned above. It was great. It is still great. Here in Zimbabwe the music records were brought by Olouch Kanindo. And every year we commemorate our Heroes Day by playing Benga music of the 1970s. We madly dance to the rithym, as we claps our hands to a stick, symbolisng the gun, pensive in reverie, eyes gazxed in the sky, as if trying to spot enemy aircraft so as to fire a rocket ranza to it. Such deep is the influence of Benga music to our country. Do you have a Benga club there in Kenya, for your music, or even a whatsapp group?? Please include me so we can share the sweet melodies of Benga music by the sons of the soil of Kenya. God bless Kenya and Benga music. Kenya - the oasis of beautiful rithym of Benga music of the 1970s. Ngoni Chizhe +263778252560 and you can whatsapp. My war name wa Danai Pazvagozha Magorira ( translated as: Fellow Guerrilas, trust and call upon me when the war battle gets tough) +263778252560
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten another Benga gem record I cannot find anymore anywhere under Heaven. Its called Francis Omolo, and was under Sungura label. I cannot remember the band, but the song was heavenly sweet to dance of even to listen although we did not understand Luo. Language was never 'the' problem as we would imptovise by putting our own rhyming venecular words to the beat of Benga, much to our excitement and enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteLingala is fire
ReplyDeleteThis writer seems to know nothing about Luo Benga
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, particularly because he doesn't include any of Dr Collela's hits.
Deletewhere is Musa Juma Mumbo
ReplyDeleteAsking the same
Delete