Makadem

BIO

Makadem (born Charles Odero Ademson) is a multi-genre artist from Nairobi, Kenya. Makadem uses humorous and witty lyrics to address socio-economic struggles in modern-day Kenya.

His career began after meeting veteran producer Tabu Osusa of Ketebul Music. Their collaboration inspired him to sing a benga and ohangla- based style music. He released his debut album ‘Ohanglaman’ in 2007.

He has widely toured Europe and has performed at Sauti za Busara Fest (Zanzibar), Bayimba Festival (Uganda) and FestHorn (Djibouti). He has shared the stage with top international artists such as Gregory Isaacs, Mighty Culture, Glen Washington, Baaba Maal, Mahotella Queens and Lokua Kanza. His European tours were organised by One World.

Makadem has participated at a three-month music residency at the Cite International des Arts in Paris courtesy of the Institut Francais in 2012. While in Paris, he worked on improving his kalimba-playing skills as an understudy of Angolan maestro Lolendo Mvulu. He also sharpened his guitar-playing under the tutelage of the legendary Syrian Mbenza.

Some of his career highlights include: performing at the opening of the Cannes Film Festival in 2012, opening for Seun Kuti in Copenhagen-Denmark and performing at Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington in 2014. He has also collaborated with South African producer Behr to create a bubbling hybrid of Afro-electronic music.