STEP BY STEP BY RAWBAR KLEPTO & BECKY

Step by step is the sure way to success hence the new club banger Step-by Step by RAWBAR (Roba of Klepto fame) and a new talent on the block Becky Sangolo of The Band BeCa. This song was released recently both on audio and video. You will agree with me that it is a great song with the message on point. The track has a powerful rap flow by RAWBAR and a wonderfully done chorus by Becky that gives it an international stature. Many fans are excited and even wondering where this versatile rapper has been since being one of the Klepto trio that brought us Tuendelee au tusiendelee and Swing swing. He is back with a bang! Becky who graduated recently from Sauti Academy has done the choruses justice. She has proved that she will be a big force to recon with in the Kenyan music industry.

Becky & RawBar - the video shoot

RawBar

Becky Sangolo

Already the track has been distributed to most media houses and clubs even outside the country. We recently had a chance to communicate with a DJ in Boston who said the song was receiving good response in a club where he spins and it is very likely to spread to other clubs there. When The Kenyan Artist blog called on RAWBAR to find out when they are officially launching this tantalizing hit he said they were in the final stages of their plans to do so but Step by Step. He said they have put in place a strong and well versed marketing team working towards the success of the project.

Becky (left) & Carol of The Band BeCa

 at Godowns

Besides, Becky is still recording more songs with her friend Carol under the banner of The band BeCa. She says she has recorded songs of various genres that include reggae groove, rock, R&B and afro fusion. Together they have been doing great shows in various places among them Choices, the Park, Godowns, the Elephant Octoberfest, etc. The duo also sing with the renowned Gravitti band, Frank Koine and Bensoul among others. They are urging their fans to come over for their tantalizing shows and enjoy what other Nairobians are getting from them. Below view and e the Step by Step video in this link:

https://youtube/N6ccbh27CoE

Let's keep our eyes on this song as things unfold Step by Step. Like it on Youtube and leave your comment.

Are Kenyan DJs and presenters followers of foreign Djs?

Most of our Kenyan musicians are complaining about our own Djs who seem to be following what is trending in other countries instead of showing their counterparts what Kenya has for the world. They should be promote music and be proud of it so that they may be followed too.

Titi Solomon: Artist and crusader for Kenyan music

Kenya has great music that is not known at home because our Djs have not been keen to promote it on Radio, TV and clubs. Some radio presenters have even been competing with artists on celebrity status hence they sometimes avoid playing their music for fear that it will make them celebrities. Some presenters dedicate most of their airplay to a few production houses that are ready to part with some incentives from time to time. In such case they do rubbish any rival production houses' productions and term them as being of low quality. One thing that our presenters and Djs do not know is that the foreign artists they keep promoting here in Kenya are known internationally because they were discovered and promoted by media houses and entertainment resorts in their countries. What we forget is that there is both good and poor quality music in South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania and other foreign countries but it is just that we receive the best that has been promoted by their resourceful DJs who take their time to listen and choose the best to play. In Kenya it is the opposite. Our radio Djs don't have time to listen and research for good music but just want to know what is trending on the international entertainment circles. Some songs like DNA's Banjuka came to be hits after as a result of pushing by the Club Djs before it was embraced as a fresh hit. This is long after it had been in existence without air play.

What Kenyan artists are agitating for is a fair play and patriotism of our own Radio and TV Djs. There is a lot of good music in Kenya and all we need is promotion locally before we conquer the world.

MCSK SEEMS TO BE TAKING A NEW PATH BY DECLARING A FIGHT FOR THE ARTISTS' RIGHTS

The day is Monday on 7th of September 2015 and Nairobi Region MCSK members are gathered in an event at Nyayo stadium. The purpose of the event being to vet the members so as to route out ghost members who earn free money from the society denying the genuine members their hard earned sweat.

MCSK, PRISK and Kamp Directors at the Nyayo gymnasium hall

Inside the basket ball gymnasium are applauds from members who seem to enjoy the presentations by directors are giving on the progress and achievements that the society has made to date. This is the opposite of what has been always been witnessed during such meetings in the past. In attendance, there were other CMOs namely PRISK and Kamp who have resolved to work together with MCSK for the full benefit of the artists. From the look there are signs that artists are developing some trust in the current directors because they have promised to  fight the ills that been fleecing the poor artists to enrich a few who do not know the challenges artists face in order to make music.It is said that in the past former directors were corruptly colluding with other service providers, radio and TV stations to fleece the artists. If the current Directors walk their talk then we expect our artists to start living decent lives that match their celebrity status.

 At the moment there are measures that have been put in place to streamline and improve monitoring of airplay, collections and also accountability. A new monitoring system called VERICAST that was adopted by MCSK will ensure that the artist is in a position to monitor whenever and wherever his/her music is being played. The income derived out of the airplay will be seen trickling hence accountability.

Further to this there are artists who have come together under a union called KENUM that is now championing the rights of artists.The purpose of KENUM is to put ensure that the Government, MCSK and other stakeholders bring favourable changes in the industry so that artists can reap from their sweat.The union has urged more artists to enroll with it so as for them to speak together as one strong voice.

Below see more photos taken during the event;

Titi Solomon

MCSK Chairman Mr Mukaisi with CEO Mr. Maurice Okoth

Chairman Kamp

Mr. Mabele, GM  Kamp

CEO  Okoth introducing a service provider Mr Ben

Members following the proceedings

From left Bwire, Bandasson & Abedi

Abedi & Titi solomon

One of the artists entertaining the members

ROBA KLEPTO IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH A SONGTRESS, BECKY

Roba Klepto is one of the three founder members of the Kleptomaniax a pop group from Nairobi, Kenya that rocked Kenya a few years ago. Formed in 1999 the group that consisted of Roba (Robert Manyasa),

Roba Klepto

Collo (Collins Majale) and Nyashinski (Nyamari Ongegu) all in Nairobi School then.
 The group looked for a producer Ogopa Dj's who did their first single there style being hip hop and kapuka. Some of their songs are Maniax Anthem, Freak it, Tuendelee, Swing Swing and Pyscho among others. 
In the year 2005 the group received a MTV Europe Music Awards nomination for the Best African Act. In 2007 Kleptomaniax toured the USA and later had a break for members to try solo projects.
Roba who has been doing solo projects is now back to the studio at Music Plant where he is now teaming up with an upcoming star known as Becky. They have a hot one coming and Roba says he will leave it to the fans and sceptics to judge. ''It is time to be back on the music scene and I am unveiling Becky as the new voice in the kenyan Music industry. I believe she is one of the latest talents that may rock the industry. She is skillful, professional and swift in doing her stuff thanks to the good training she got from Sauti Acadmy" says Roba.

Becky

On her part Becky says she has been doing music but has not been keen on promotion of the same. She says she was concentrating on her training at the Sauti Academy and her University studies. "I graduated recently from a music academy and now want to entertain my fans starting now" Becky quips. Becky has been working with Carol her bosom friend and former college-mate from Sauti Academy. They have done several gigs under their banner The Band Beca and the response from fans has been so encouraging.

SWEET NEWS FOR LOCAL ARTISTS

M.i.e.n - Producer and artist. also decrying the airplay status

It is wonderful to hear news on the new law on airplay. For sure it is a very welcome idea to have Kenyan music get 60% airplay. Some of our Kenyan artists have had a rough time with our local radio and TV presenters who overlook our own music and prefer to play foreign music. They only play a few from those that part with some tokens and purport that our music is not quality. These people keep on lamenting about the quality of our local artists whereas artists from neighbouring countries come to do their recording here. Artists like Chameleon and Bebe Cool to name but a few, started from Kenyan production houses and they have been rocking Africa. Daddy Owen,Nameless and Wahu have won continental awards before with hit songs from the local studios. Let nobody lie about quality of music. In Kenya it is not about quality of music because there are many nice songs that have never come to light because the poor artists can't part with some token.

Shaddyyokko - Has two albums but airplay has been a tall order

I have said it here before that Kenyan presenters are unlike those in other countries who go searching for new vibes and bringing them to the fore. A new artist will part with money to have his/her music played on air. This will only play once or twice and then disappear as the presenter waits for the next dose of money. In this case the presenter does not upload the music in the circulation such that if fans request for the songs they can not be accessed by other presenters/Djs.

Music by artists like Abbi Nyinza, Achieng Abura, Makadem etc are respected abroad but how many times do we hear about them on local radio/TV? Some of us in Kenya don't even know about them yet they rock outside Kenya. Haven't our presenters heard about them too? Why are they not playing their music and preferring to play West African music many times a day?


 

I say Hurray......for the Kenyan creative artists who have always been sidelined by our own.

BECKY DOING BEYONCE'S COVER VERSION - DRUNK IN LOVE

Today we have Becky Sangolo doing a cover version of Beyonce's song Drunk in Love. She is gifted in this genre among others.
 
https://www.facebook.com/esther.mwanyange/videos/440698079451088/

BECKY AND CAROL GRADUATE FROM SAUTI ACADEMY WITH POMP

The two divas that formed The Band BeCa are hitting the road running after recently graduating from Sauti Academy -Penya Africa. There tantalizing performance during the graduation ceremony dubbed Sound Splash at the Alliance Francaise Auditorium at on 11th July 2015 spoke for itself. They left the audience amazed by their matured vocals courtesy of the good training at the Sauti Academy institute. Judge Ian was one of the guests who seemed to enjoy every moment of the well attended show. They did both cover songs and their own compositions that moved the excited fans. Other artists that graduated included Swiga, Raaay, Zeshari, Lexxy and the amazing Phy who was backed by Rabbit in one of her performances.

Becky and Carol have already started having shows and have various events lined up. "We are witnessing good demand from promising promoters who are keen to work with us due to our nice mastery in both our own compositions and cover songs. Most people enjoy live band music and that is what we are good at", says Becky Sangolo. "People should attend our shows and see the impact of Sauti Academy in our music, she adds.

We at the Kenyan Artist blog are eager to see what is next on their schedule and how fans will receive the new outfit. We wish them all the best in their endeavors because we believe they can fly.

Below see some of the pictures taken during the show;

Becky Sangolo on stage

Becky & Carol  of The band Beca

Carol on stage

Becky on stage

Thrilled fans

Judge Ian

Phy on stage with Rabbit

Part of the fans

Happy fans during the event

The graduands

Swiga on stage

What is your take our reader?

Becky - Alieso

Becky - Alieso

View and support this girl - Becky Sangolo - Alieso

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S2_ZbsjMgk

Alieso is a song written and presented by becky Sangolo who is currently at Sauti academy finalizing her training in music performance. She is also doing a degree at Karatina University College. Becky is appealing to his fans and friends to vote for her by viewing, sharing and striking the 'like' button so that she may gather 6000 views that will enable her get a recording deal.

WHY DO OUR MEDIA HOUSES PROMOTE FOREIGN AND NOT LOCAL MUSIC?

Any one who has visited other countries in Africa must have noticed that media houses promote their local artists more than the foreign ones. Their governments have created and enforced laws that ensure their local talent is given more time on radio and TV. That is why their artists become popular at home before thriving in other countries like Kenya.

Shaddyyoko, Kenyan Artist

In Kenya things are different because the Media houses here promote foreign as the locals play second fiddle. Our presenters and Djays believe in foreign stuff hence obvious bias. The same trend was there in the early 90s until some few presenters believed in our own. Things improved to an extent that our local artists became popular in East Africa and even started doing shows abroad. We now see the tide changing as our Radio and TV stations are now leaning towards Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa among others. It is even forcing Kenyan artists to keep aping Nigeria in every new release in order to catch the Djay's ear. This is not fair to artists who would have wanted to try their creativity and do stuff that is authentically Kenyan. Instead of our DJs, VDJs and presenters researching to get the new hit songs from all over the country they have decided to use airplay as a tool of making money. You can do very quality music but when you take it to the media houses they don't play. They only play when they are given some bribe and only for a short period hence the promotion ends up not effective. They will sit on the CD or DVD so that it is not downloaded in the system for circulation. By doing so no any other presenter can access the music. They are the only ones who can play when they are given some token.

It is sad that our music industry has been negatively affected by the very people who are supposed to have promoted it to prosperity. The government has to come in and protect our artists like it is done in other countries. Some quota rules on  airplay should be implemented so that more airtime is given to local artists unlike it is today. Artists should come together and have a strong group that will lobby for local artists' rights.