Post by Admin on Dec 27, 2011 1:04:04 GMT -5
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Published on 16/12/2011
By Caroline Nyanga
An opportunity to perform before a global audience –preferably outside one’s country – is many an artistes’ dream.
Popular Luo benga music group, Kenge Kenge, is among the few Kenyan music groups that have had that rare opportunity.
In July, the band represented Kenya in one of the world’s biggest music festivals dubbed Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia. The event lasted for one week.
"It was a great achievement and a privilege for us to perform before an audience comprising diverse communities in the city of Ku Ching, Malaysia, where each country had a representative. It was also a chance to gauge where Kenyan music stands
internationally," says George Achieng’, the group band leader and lead vocalist.
Kenge Kenge also prides itself as the first Kenyan music group to perform at Israeli Spring Festival, as well as World of Music Arts and Dance (Womad) festivals in Spain and the World Music Expo (Womex) festivals in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009.
Womex is an international World Music Expo held annually in different countries in Europe and integrates trade fair, showcases, conferences, film market and wards. Suzzana Owiyo is the only other Kenyan to have performed at the Womex festivals. Achieng says although 750 artistes across the globe applied to participate in the 2009 Music Expo, only 30 were selected.
Toured US
Last year, Kenge Kenge also toured the US and staged shows in 20 states, including Chicago, California, Washington DC and New York. "Unlike most artistes who go to the US to perform in clubs, we held road shows and concerts in schools, theatres and took part in workshops," says Achieng’. Despite the group’s immense success, there have been rumours that it had split. But George is quick to dismiss the claims.
"We have never quit music. The fact that we do most of our shows abroad and only a few in Kenya doesn’t mean we are out of the game," says Achieng’. He says apart from performing in corporate and private functions, the group has been busy staging shows in various parts of the world.
At the moment, the group is a resident band at Black Parrot Club, situated within Hurligham shopping centre, where they perform every Friday. "We are still very much intact as a team, except for one of our members Samwel Opere, who opted to retire. Nevertheless, he still remains part of us," he says. Achieng’ says the rumours the band has broken up have also been triggered by the fact some of the band’s members occasionally feature in other groups.
The band has just finished recording its third 10-track album, Opogore, which is due for release in January. Sang in Swahili and Dholuo, the album features tantalising orutu and benga beats and also incorporates three gospel tracks. "We are planning to give our Kenyan fans, including those living abroad, fresh music. We believe thenew album will boost the image of the local music industry internationally," says Achieng’, who describes the album as unique. Kenge Kenge’s other albums include Introducing Kenge Kenge, released in 2004, and Wacho Gi Timo that hit music stores in 2007.
Kenge Kenge has also shared the stage with African music icons such as Senegal’s Youssou N’dour and Baaba Maal. Their benga beats so enthralled Maal that he invited some of the group’s singers to perform alongside him during a concert. The group has, however, had to weather many storms to get to where it is today. "Just like any newmusic outfit, concerts were hard to come by when we started out," he says. He recalls the many times the band was invited to perform in live concerts only for the shows to be cancelled at the last minute. "As a result we would end up walking back home most times," Achieng’ says.
Published on 16/12/2011
By Caroline Nyanga
An opportunity to perform before a global audience –preferably outside one’s country – is many an artistes’ dream.
Popular Luo benga music group, Kenge Kenge, is among the few Kenyan music groups that have had that rare opportunity.
In July, the band represented Kenya in one of the world’s biggest music festivals dubbed Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia. The event lasted for one week.
"It was a great achievement and a privilege for us to perform before an audience comprising diverse communities in the city of Ku Ching, Malaysia, where each country had a representative. It was also a chance to gauge where Kenyan music stands
internationally," says George Achieng’, the group band leader and lead vocalist.
Kenge Kenge also prides itself as the first Kenyan music group to perform at Israeli Spring Festival, as well as World of Music Arts and Dance (Womad) festivals in Spain and the World Music Expo (Womex) festivals in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009.
Womex is an international World Music Expo held annually in different countries in Europe and integrates trade fair, showcases, conferences, film market and wards. Suzzana Owiyo is the only other Kenyan to have performed at the Womex festivals. Achieng says although 750 artistes across the globe applied to participate in the 2009 Music Expo, only 30 were selected.
Toured US
Last year, Kenge Kenge also toured the US and staged shows in 20 states, including Chicago, California, Washington DC and New York. "Unlike most artistes who go to the US to perform in clubs, we held road shows and concerts in schools, theatres and took part in workshops," says Achieng’. Despite the group’s immense success, there have been rumours that it had split. But George is quick to dismiss the claims.
"We have never quit music. The fact that we do most of our shows abroad and only a few in Kenya doesn’t mean we are out of the game," says Achieng’. He says apart from performing in corporate and private functions, the group has been busy staging shows in various parts of the world.
At the moment, the group is a resident band at Black Parrot Club, situated within Hurligham shopping centre, where they perform every Friday. "We are still very much intact as a team, except for one of our members Samwel Opere, who opted to retire. Nevertheless, he still remains part of us," he says. Achieng’ says the rumours the band has broken up have also been triggered by the fact some of the band’s members occasionally feature in other groups.
The band has just finished recording its third 10-track album, Opogore, which is due for release in January. Sang in Swahili and Dholuo, the album features tantalising orutu and benga beats and also incorporates three gospel tracks. "We are planning to give our Kenyan fans, including those living abroad, fresh music. We believe thenew album will boost the image of the local music industry internationally," says Achieng’, who describes the album as unique. Kenge Kenge’s other albums include Introducing Kenge Kenge, released in 2004, and Wacho Gi Timo that hit music stores in 2007.
Kenge Kenge has also shared the stage with African music icons such as Senegal’s Youssou N’dour and Baaba Maal. Their benga beats so enthralled Maal that he invited some of the group’s singers to perform alongside him during a concert. The group has, however, had to weather many storms to get to where it is today. "Just like any newmusic outfit, concerts were hard to come by when we started out," he says. He recalls the many times the band was invited to perform in live concerts only for the shows to be cancelled at the last minute. "As a result we would end up walking back home most times," Achieng’ says.
