Daudi Kabaka
Daudi Kabaka’s music precedes his name, even though his name might not be known by many but his music has transcended generational gaps and modern times. Daudi’s songs are classics stilled played in Kenya to date, especially the popular ones such as Harambee Harambee, African Twist, Pole Musa and Western Shilo.
“Harambee Harambee” has been used to mark the post-colonial Kenya era, the fight for freedom and the joy of freedom. For many years, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) played the song every other hour and it was the signature tune played at the end of every news broadcast.
To date the song still inspires patriotism in Kenya. All his songs tell the story of everyday life as it was in his time.
Daudi Kabaka’s HeluleHelule was such as hit that a popular boy band known as The Tremeloes in British did a rendition of the song still maintaining the song’s name ‘Heule Heule’ that topped charts.
It was his genre of music; Benga, which introduced people to a dancing style called twist, where by people twisted their waists.
Daudi released an album “Pesa Maradhi Ya Moyo” with Maroon Commandos (Kenya Army band) in 1986.
When Daudi Kabaka died in 2001 when he was just about to turn 62 years old. Kenya mourned its loss but his music remains part of Kenya’s history.
Sauti Sol
Sauti Sol has taken the African beat that the likes of Daudi Kabaka so passionately played and mixed it with a bit of modern beats to get afro-pop music. It was this unique blend that made their song ‘Lazizi’ top charts in Kenya gaining them instant fame across Kenya.
What started as three high school friend coming together to jam some music together, took them down a path that led them to a killer guitarist who became part of the group giving birth to one of the finest music group in Kenya. Sauti Sol came into existence after BienAime Baraza, Willis Chimano, Polycarp Otieno and Delvin Mudigi Savara started recording music.
Sauti Sol’s two albums, Mwanzo (2008) and Sol Filosofia (2011) have received high acclaim on Kenyan charts and gained both regional and international recognition. The band is due to release a third album this year, dubbed ‘Live and Die in Afrika’. The band has performed live in Kenya with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, some African countries, Europe and the US. They have also received various nominations and awards.
Sauti Sol launched the SOMA SOMA Initiative (2012) that seeks to develop a peer-to-peer mentorship culture amongst school-goers throughout Kenya.
Sauti Sol’s music has captured the hearts of many, some of their popular songs include:
