By Bobastles Nondi
Published April 8, 2009
Born in 1930s, Ogoya Nengo, the priced gem of original dodo music in Kenya, appears to have gone full circle. After more than half a century on stage, Nengo appears to be just starting her career; singing her way into the hearts of many in the villages and in grand [...]
By Ogova Ondego
Published March 27, 2009
As South Africa prepares for the 10th Cape Town International Jazz Festival on April 3-4, 2009, it appears the festival mood is coming earlier than expected with Australia’s platinum-selling singing sensation, The Ten Tenors, set to wow both the Mother City and the City of Gold with their latest show, [...]
Article by Ogova Ondego
Published January 12, 2009
Florence Matshediso Mholo, popularly known to her fans as ‘Tshedi’ is a songwriter, composer, singer, producer and actress with a passion for stage plays. She composed and recorded a ‘prophesy-fulfilling’ song about the US-elect president, Barack Obama, in 2007. The song has since been released internationally. But Tshedi, lead [...]
By Ogova Ondego
Published January 5, 2009
The 10th Cape Town International Jazz Festival, that takes place April 3-4, 2009, has released its preliminary line up of musicians. Among those to perform are South Africans Emily Bruce, Freshlyground , Hugh Masekela, Jonathan Rubain, Ringo Madlingozi, Maurice Gawronsky, Loading Zone, and Rus Nerwich’s collective imagination, Americans Al Foster [...]
By Birgit Quade, Lydia Martin and Ogova Ondego
Revised and Republished December 22, 2008
There is no denying that hip-hop in African languages is breaking down socio-cultural barriers and uniting East Africans from its Tanzanian base, Birgit Quade and Lydia Martin—with additional information from Ogova Ondego—write.
Bongo Flava, the music that combines rap, hip-hop, R&B and traditional Tanzanian [...]
By Ogova Ondego
Published December 5, 2008
It is shortly before 4 pm when the master of ceremonies announces a break for prayer from the music performance that has been going on over the past hour. Although the performers get off the stage, music lovers remain standing or sitting in their respective positions, awaiting the prayer break [...]
Article by Ogova Ondego
Re-published November 26, 2008
Modern Taarab music is being blamed for breeding social discord, embarrassing society through vulgarity, vilification of women and also for abandoning convention of the music that was—till recently—considered a unifying force of the Swahili coast, at the altar of money. OGOVA ONDEGO reports.
It is a lovely evening and armies [...]
By Fred Mbogo
Published November 19, 2008
Love and politics are two words that ordinarily wouldn’t walk together. But throw in persuasion and the two might just get cemented. An example of this marriage of love and politics is best presented when one considers what in the history of Kenya is termed the Nyayo Era (1978-2002). This [...]
Tribute by Ogova Ondego
Published November 11, 2008
In 2006, I watched Miriam Makeba perform in Nigeria’s oil-rich but volatile Niger Delta during the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Her voice was enticing and stage presence strong. However, she was thanking and bidding her Nigerian fans good bye. This was part of her world farewell tour with concerts [...]
Article by Isaac Miriri
Published October 29, 2008
Obama be thy Name, a music video urging Americans to vote for US Democratic Party presidential candidate, Barack Obama, has been launched in Nairobi, Kenya.
The 5:32 minute music video produced, directed and edited by German Katrin Ender, features Ohanglaman ‘Makadem’ as he introduces his reggae-styled musical contribution to the [...]
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