East African songs that made it to film

‘Koth Biro’ by Ayub Ogada (Kenya)

Ogada is calling out to his mother to bring the cattle back home because there are signs that it is going to rain. Oh mother, if you can hear me the rain is coming, bring the cattle home.

This song has been featured in Movies like I Dreamed of Africa (2000), The Constant Gardener (2005), Samsara (2011) and The Good Life (2014). It has also been used as sound track for BBC series Long Way Round Long Way Down and an action drama series by NBC The Philanthropist.

‘Okuzaala Kujagaana’ by Irene Namatovu (Uganda)

Have you ever wondered how a traditional wedding in Uganda looks like? Namatovu tells the story of two love birds preparing to get married. From the video you can see how a man and a woman dress during their traditional wedding day.

This song has been featured in the movie Queen of Katwe. A movie about living in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda. The audience are taken through the struggle of a ten year old girl whose luck changes after she meets a missionary who teaches children how to play chess.

‘Set it off’ by Stella Mwangi (STL) (Kenya)

The song is off her Hollywood EP album called Stella Mwangi. If you are looking for a party song to lift up your spirit then this is the perfect song for you. STL’s single has been featured as soundtrack on the third episode of BET Africa’s show, Being Mary Jane Season 4 and Bad Moms Christmas movie due to be released in December 2017.

‘Maria Salome’ by Saida Karoli (Tanzania)

This song can only make sense to you if you've bought peanuts from a roadside market and had to sort out the good from the rotten. Karoli is in love, she is telling her parents of how her lover chose her out of so many women. She goes ahead to say wenye wivu wajinyonge (anyone who does not wish her well should go ahead and commit suicide).

This song featured in the Tyler Perry produced movie Peeples. In 2016 she was paid royalties by Diamond Platinumz for redoing the song as ‘Salome’.

‘Black Star’ by Henry Ohanga (Kenya)

Mexican-Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o said “for every little child, no matter where you are from, your dreams are valid”. Ohanga delivers the same message through the song accompanied by his daughter Tracy. His is a success story, he grew up in Kibera, the largest slum in East Africa, and today he is among the richest Kenyan musicians.

This song was featured as soundtrack on the 2016 film documentary Giants of Africa. The documentary captures Toronto Raptors GM, Masai Ujiri’s journey of philanthropy and inspiration, as he uses basketball to educate and enrich the lives of underprivileged African youth.