Tag: Kenyan Music

Kenyan rapper King Kaka, born Kennedy Ombima, has officially launched his new Extended Play (EP) dubbed ‘Happy Hour’ after months of suffering a health scare.

The EP was launched in an invite-only event that took place in Kilimani on Tuesday night.

King Kaka was accompanied by his wife Nana Owiti and in attendance was his Kaka Empire signee Femi One as well as fellow artistes Jua Kali, Jaguar, among other notable household names.

“It is a big day for me. Today we are celebrating my second birthday. My birthday is on May 7th but today I am dropping my first EP in 13 years, it’s titled ‘Happy Hour,” said a joyous King Kaka.

The ‘Wajinga Nyinyi’ hitmaker said he wanted to do something to celebrate the gift of life following his health scare.

“Having gone through one of the toughest times in my life when I was ailing, I wanted to do something to celebrate life and all the goodness it has to offer.”

The EP features his wife Nana Owiti, a famed TV presenter, as the face of the official cover.

“We had already done the cover photoshoot before. We did some design but it wasn’t working because I was very thin and sick. So at the time, I decided to display my wife as the cover because she has played a very important role,” explained King Kaka.

‘Happy Hour’ features Tanzanian singer Rich Mavoko, Ugandan Ykee Benda, and other notable Kenyan artists such as Amos and Josh, Wakadinali, Kristoff, Okello Max, and Ndume.

King Kaka informed that he worked on the project a while back but its release was hindered by his ailment.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW7s9tHNRWI/?utm_source=ig_embed

“The initial release date for the EP was October 1 but after I got sick, we had to reschedule it further to date. So, the songs were already recorded,” he said.

During the launch event, King Kaka could barely hide his exhilaration as he shared the good progress of his current state following a misdiagnosis that led to him losing 33 kilograms in the process.

“Right now I am doing fine. I cannot believe it. I was initially 85kgs and dropped to 62kgs. But we now thank God for the gift of life. I could hardly eat and walk, but now I can. There is no better feeling,” he stated.

Content courtesy of Kaka Empire & Nairobi Fashion Hub Digital Team

Kenyan heavyweight hip hop recording artist and award winner, Brian Robert Ouko popularly known as Khaligraph Jones is back with a brand new banger titled Khali Cartel 4.

On Monday, Papa Jones took to social media to announce the official release of Khali Cartel 4, a project he has featured top 6 finalists of the Odinare Challenge. The top 6 finalists on the rap cipher are; Katapilla, Shekina Karen, Murasta, Achicho, Elisha Elai, and Ben-c.

After 2 Years, We are Back Again, #Khalicartel4 #Kc4, gotta be the best one so far 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Now on Youtube https://t.co/Pm4uwzBnPC pic.twitter.com/A2aTFFiKGh

— Khaligraph Jones (@KHALIGRAPH) November 22, 2021

The new tune has been released exactly two years after the unveiling of Khali Cartel 3 that featured; Bey T, Breeder Lw, Silverstone Barz, Rekles, and Chiwawa.

The Khali Cartel 4 Instrumental was created by Aress 66, Vinc on The beat, Papa Jones himself, and its visuals were arranged by Omoke.

Minutes after being released Khali Cartel 4 took over Twitter and YouTube trends and so far it has garnered over 161K views in just 11 hours.

The cipher which features Khaligraph and the top six finalists of the Odinare rap Challenge was a project that saw Blue Inc. studios partner with betting firm Odibets under their Odimtaani initiative.

Speaking to journalists after the release of the cipher, Khaligraph said that Khali Cartel 4 was a one-of-a-kind music project to celebrate his fans for their support.

“I decided to release Khali Cartel 4 this year in a bid to give back to my fans who have been with me through thick and thin, after bringing the Odinare challenge to the rap scene courtesy of Odibets. I released Khali Cartel 4 with the six rap challenge finalists who had proved beyond all reasonable doubt that they were the next stars in the hip hop scene,” said the award-winning rapper.

The Khali cartel 4 cipher video which has been termed by rap fanatics as a “movie” was shot on a bank robbery set up that sees Khaligraph question the various rappers on different issues as they rhyme to the beat of the cipher.

A few months back, Rapper Khaligraph Jones unveiled the winner of the ‘Odinare’ Rap Challenge.

Kibera-born-rapper Katapila won the Odinare Rap Challenge walking away with the grand prize of Sh1 million.

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BenC and Real Elai, came in second and third walking away with Sh500,000 and Sh300,000 respectively.

Blu Ink and Odibets present KC4 featuring The top 6 finalists from the Odinare Challenge spearheaded by Khaligraph Jones.

The project was handled by Blu Ink Corp, Instrumental created by Aress 66, Vinc on The beat & OG.

Content courtesy of Blu Ink Corp and Nairobi Fashion Hub Digital Team 

These songs all have a message, Although The King was so ill, he came back with a message to all his fans that he was here to stay and would continue giving good music.

Already trending on Twitter and causing major conversation, the song is an absolute club banger and sees King Kaka steadily make his return to the scene after his recent health woes. Pull Up is a clique-friendly track, the kind that you and your crew of friends are likely to jam to in the club, bottoms up and all.

“Naeza-pull up na  kirende, naeza-pull up!” goes the resounding hook against a producer Ricco Beatz’s heavy bass synth. Wakadinali and King Kaka prove a potent combination and ooze chemistry throughout the video.

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Beats, check! Lyrics, check! Video, check! Pull up is one of the best rap collaborations to come of the music scene thus far, Pull Up is the first single off of King Kaka’s upcoming EP, Happy Hour.

King Kaka Teams Up with Wakadinali on ‘Pull Up’
Produced by RiccoBeatz Mr 808.
Directed By Steve Mugo.
Mixed & Mastered by ABH Sound.
Audio Available On Boomplay.
A Kaka Empire Presentation 2021.

Content courtesy of Nairobi Fashion Hub Digital Team

On the new single, ‘Tanga’ Nonini teams up with Tanzanian recording artist, Chege Chigunda who did justice to the song. Chege Chigunda as usual offered the new song that Bongo Fleva vibes accompanied with the lyrical flows from Nonini ‘Tanga’ is a song to vibe to for the week.

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Nonini (born Hubert Nakitare) is a Kenyan hip-hop recording artist, entertainer, and businessman, as of 2018, he was signed to Homeboyz Productions. His debut single ‘Nonini ni Nani?’ earned him a spot in the music scene. His album ‘Mwisho Ya Mawazo’ (2007) featured musicians such as Nyota Ndogo, Mercy Myra, Professor Jay, and Q-Chief.

He is the founder of P-Unit, a music outfit comprising rappers Bonnie, Frasha, and Gabu. In 2009 he was named International Lifestyle Ambassador by the Limkokwing University in Malaysia, Nonini also runs a video production company named Pro Habo.

He ventured into the fashion industry after launching his own shoe brand titled Mgenge 2ru Kicks, the collection ranges from sneakers for kids and adults.

“I have always been a fashion guy and I prefer promoting Kenyan brands. This started way back in the year 2000 when I released the song “Weh Kamu”. I used to go to Gikomba market to get white plain t-shirts and print them,” the singer recalled.

“I even designed the logo for Calif records. So over the years, I’ve just reinvented what I’ve been doing and right now focusing on fashion and taking it seriously as my career. Mgenge 2ru is an apparel brand. We have clothes that include hoodies, jumpers, bomber jackets, and watches,” he added.

The shoes, he says, are made in Italy while the clothesline is made in Kenya.

His journey in music is what inspired him to his new enterprise and Nonini says he’s not about to call it quits.

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“My brand has always been Mgenge 2ru, which for me is a lifestyle. My journey has been from grass to grace. When you wear those shoes it means you are a guy who has hustled and wants to better themselves. That is the inspiration behind the brand.”

Christened the godfather of Genge music, Nonini shot to the limelight in early 2000 after the release of his song “Manze wa Nairobi” which he followed up with a single “Weh Kamu”.

The songs made part of his first album titled “Hanyanring Game” which was released in 2004. He later released two other albums titled “Mwisho wa Mawazo” and “Godfather” in 2007 and 2009 respectively.

Content courtesy of Nairobi Fashion Hub Digital Team 

Young and beautiful Kalenjin Rapper, dancer, entertainer, and Kenyan Badgirl, Chepkosgei today released his new song called Okas iit, while working closely with a Kenyan rapper known as Khaligraph Jones, and the producer of this song being Vinc On The Beat

No words can tell greatness if you see one, meet the fast-rising Kenyan female rapper Chepkosgei, She is widely renowned for the lyrical prowess, versatility, and authenticity of her bars which is what always makes her stand out in the stiff competitive music industry.

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In the shortest time period ever, Chepkosgei has risen up to become one of the best rap prospects in Kenya today after releasing his sophomore single with Khaligraph Jones after his debut single dubbed ‘Itabidi mkubali’ a few months ago as she made an entrance into the mainstream music scene.

This song comes out barely a month after her previous release that stirred buzz and left fans debating on her taking over the best femcee crown in Africa at large.

Content courtesy of NFH Digital Team 

In 2021 King Kaka was misdiagnosed which led to a serious body reaction. His health deteriorated & eventually, he was admitted. He is now on the road to recovery and decided to give a summary of his testimony through this song.

Rapper King Kaka has been giving partial details about his illness that saw him lose massive weight after being hospitalized for two months, taking to social media earlier today, King Kaka shared about his mysterious sickness with his photos on a hospital bed just two days after admission, He further lauded his wife Nana Owiti for sticking beside him as well as his other family members terming them as a blessing.

That’s me, still can’t believe it. 2days after I was admitted and they had just finished drilling on my hip bone for a bone marrow sample. I was in between worlds fighting to see my family once more. I would force my last smile when Nana & Moms visited but the truth is the nights got darker and I would be back in the ring with life.
It’s a feeling and place you can’t put in words
Nights when the devil threw in a few suggestions but the light got stronger for me to listen.
Not yet out of the woods but I’ve just realized that waking up is a Blessing, are you able to eat? that’s a blessing. Do you have a support system? That’s a blessing.
Very thankful to Dr. Adil, Dr. Stanley & Dr. Aggrey.
Very thankful to the amazing nurses Wanjiku, Vio, Chacha, Peter, and the rest.
Moms Asante, Nana you are a gem, Deno, Kenny, and my close friends. My bros and everyone who came to visit. All the fans who don’t know me personally but said a prayer.
One day I will tell the full story but as of now, I have summarized it in a song. I know we have different struggles, I hope that this song revamps the little hope and light left in you. You have a destiny and God has a plan for you.
Link On Bio

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Song Features Nviirii The Storyteller.
Produced by Wuod Omollo.
Directed By Steve Mugo.
Additional footage by Nana Owiti (She always takes family video journals)
Guitars By Aine.
Additional Vocals by Wuod Omollo & Aine. A Kaka Empire/ Sol Generation.

Content courtesy of King Kaka Empire