Gospel music in Kenya is gathering
more audience with ease every new day. With its new modes of packaging and
delivery, the floor is fully packed come the weekends. It is also common to
find many people dancing their bodies out during the working days. Believe me;
we are having new genres day by day: Kapungala that Daddy Owen is taking
up with full stride every day amid other Hip hop, reggae and raggae
styles. This is a complete about turn contrary to the common beliefs
that were there before in Kenya and world wide.
For example, no one could stand a
mere youth in church, jumping up and down and claiming to rap and sing for the
lord - years ago. This was nonreligious! You would rather join the choir and do
the boring hymns.
The youth of today are making great strides; can I mention the Camp Mulla of Kenya?
The youth of today, have decided to
work against the unlimited intimidation from religious leaders, versus the competition
from the secular songs. We have the M.O.G, Lin, Haime, Willy, Hey-z, Juliani,
Kanji, Neema, The Milele, Ringtone, Roughtone, Daddy Owen and the BMF. This is
what we call revolution! But, I wonder who will accept the dynamism of the
likes of R Kelly, DMX, name them? Camp Mulla are coming up with a unique style
of their own that has won the hearts of many including those who do not love
the west genre. I mean, let us just look at it broadly. Music is an art of recording actives, events and history, take it or leave it
It is only when we learn to believe
that music is a record of events woven in a common fabric that reflects its
audience cultural practices, but not necessarily that of the artist. And, an
artist is the one who can stylistically present his or someone else image ideas
thoughtfully and visually. We then, should have spared DNG of Kenya when he
went gospel for he never stops restoring our stories. I precisely love the way
R Kelly does his thing. He sings in many genres, that to me is magnificent and
a true definition of an artist. This is where I feel that we article writers
and freelance journalists also fall in the categories of artist for
we can write on any topic provided we have resources.
Therefore, let our artists shift
gears comfortably because we "the audience" will not allow their
ideas (simply gospel) to be stashed under the rag anymore. Let us not allow
music "genres" to determine our thought process but, vice versa.
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