5 of the best: Songs of the Poor Man

In 1989, Tanzania’s Remmy Ongala and his Orchestre Super Matimila travelled to the UK for a recording session with Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records. It was then that the album ‘Songs for the Poor Man’ was born. At the time, artists like Baaba Maal, Salif Keita and King Sunny Ade had already released several songs with Virgin Records, another UK label.  After its release, the ten-track Swahili ‘Songs for the Poor Man’ became known in Tanzania and the DRC, where Ongala was born, for its socially conscious lyrics and virtuoso playing. The album also spoke of Africa’s socio-political problems, which earned Ongala the nickname ‘The Doctor’, a title that exalted him to the rank of a traditional healer who could ameliorate the issues faced by ordinary people.  

Music In Africa caught up with veteran Kenyan music producer and the director of Ketebul Music, Tabu Osusa, who spoke about the impact Ongala had made on the East African music scene.  

“When Remmy came to Kenya in 2003 I was out of the country,” Osusa said. “I would have loved to attend his live performance because I loved his music. It had a wider reach because he also embraced the Tanzanian culture, which made him a man of the people. He was more Tanzanian than Congolese. There were many musicians from Tanzania at the time of his existence but what made him stand out was his use of percussion and traditional instruments.”

1. ‘Karola’

When it comes to percussion, as mentioned by Osusa, ‘Karola’, Swahili for Carol, has to be our first pick. In this composition, Saidi Tumba’s percussion carries the song through its parts to provide the flams that define the rumba style. Here Ongala talks to the fictitious Carol, who he warns not to trust everyone who comes her way. In life there are good and bad people, and the irony is that we cannot know our own character better than those who interact with us on a daily basis.

2. ‘Kipenda Roho’

‘Kipenda Roho’, Swahili for ‘what the heart loves’, talks about the relationships between men and women. There is no real love any more, he says, you are loved because of what you have. The song also talks about the risks of HIV and the prevalence of the disease in marriages that are defined by infidelity. But there are a few who still know the real meaning of love. Once again, the percussion makes a big appearance around the four-minute mark.

3. ‘Kifo’

‘Kifo’, Swahili for ‘death’, was played repeatedly on Kenyan radio in the aftermath of the 1998 US embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, which resulted in 224 people losing their lives. Indeed, death does not discriminate on the basis of social status. But ignore this message and enjoy the melody.

4. ‘Muziki Asili Yake Wapi’

In this song Ongala talks about the various functions of music in society and how music is played for all occasions, whether happy or sad. “At the end will all know our fate once we hear the sound of the trumpet,” he sings in reference to the last ‘occasion’ of life. Another reference to death but at least this one isn’t solely dedicated to it.

5. ‘Sauti ya Mnyonge’

Meaning “voice of an underdog” in Swahili, ‘Sauti ya Mnyonge’ is a story of the oppressed: orphans, the destitute – all who have no one to defend them. ‘Mama uko wapi mama nateseka’ (Mother, I am suffering, where are you?) is the memorable line in this song.

Ongala’s fame spread throughout East Africa thanks to his steady, melodic drive of Zairean soukous and infectious guitar licks. He is considered a national hero in Tanzania. He was once quoted saying, "I am successful in Tanzania because I write songs about serious topics. My music is known as 'ubongo beat', because in Swahili ubongo means brain and my music is heavy thinking music". In 2010 he died aged 63 in Dar es Salaam.

For Osusa, and the rest of us who never saw him play live, here’s another reminder of the musical presence that was Remmy Ongala.