Kenya: Juliani gig to honour hip hop pioneers Kalamashaka

Bursting onto the music scene with songs such as 'Fanya Mambo’ and ‘Tafsiri Hii’, Kalamashaka revolutionised Kenya’s hip hop industry.

Juliani, a former member of Uko Flani Mau, has invited fellow hip hop artists such as Wenyeji and Mashifta to headline the concert. He’s also targeting sponsors whom he hopes will come on board for the Dandora Hip Hop City project.

Kalamashaka were game changers in their heyday. Their socially conscious songs such as ‘Tafsiri Hii’ talk of escaping poverty and living a better life. Their music mainstreamed Sheng. Fundi Frank, who dressed the group, gained visibility and became the country’s first celebrity designer.

Sadly, the group, made up of Roba, Johnny Vigeti and Kama, fizzled out after a decade in the industry. Going their separate ways, Roba developed an addiction to alcohol. Kama moved to the US, Vigetti had run-ins with the law and did a few stints in rehab. His self-titled album, Vigetti, which he released in 2016, unfortunately never became a hit.

Other than the concert, Juliani hopes to buy the group’s songs and repackage them. Even though he’s yet to confirm the date, he promises that the event’s theme will all be about Kalamshaka.