Tag: Kleptomaniax news

Former Kleptomaniax member Collo hints at the possibility of Nyashinski joining the gospel industry

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Back in the day Kleptomaniax was the it pop group. I mean, they not only came through with the baggy drip; but also with good music that has kept the Kenyan music industry afloat.

Tbt:Pop group, Kleptomaniax

I understand the group, Kleptomaniax was formed back in 1999 but was dissolved around 2007; due to unknown reasons but since then, the group members moved on and became husbands and dads.

One in particular is Collo who is currently using his talent; to spread the gospel now that he is a changed man. In 2016, Collo announced to have quit the secular music industry as he was now a saved man. For a minute – some fans felt this was a joke until Collins Majale dropped drinking and partying like before.

Kleptomaniax

Nyashinski following into Collo’s footsteps

Thanks to a new interview Collo recently held with Mseto East Africa’s Willy M Tuva – we have reason to believe that his brothers (Kleptomaniax) could be following into his footsteps.

This is after Collo hinted that there is a high possibility of Nyanshinski getting saved; or rather, the Mungu Pekee hit maker already got saved but opted not to mention it to the public.

Nyashinki

Speaking to Mzazi Willy M Tuva, Collo weighed in on the possibility of Nyashinski’s following into his footsteps saying;

According to Collo, the Christian religion is not a new thing to Nyanshinki; who turns out to be a preachers son.

Nyashinski knows cause he is a preachers son of course an acknowledge Christ is lord; na perphaps ameokoka ni vile hajacome public

Justifying his prediction about Nyashinski’s Faith, the fella said;

Remember niliokoka 2014 towards the end but nilicome public in 2016

Well, if this is true – then I guess fans should be looking forward to seeing more gospel songs from Nyashinski; but until then – we are open to any new music from Nyashinski. It’s been a minute, right?

Collo makes comeback with touching gospel tune ‘Conqueror’ (Video)

Posted on by David Kingsley

Rapper Collins Majale, popularly known as Collo and formerly of Kleptomaniax rap group alongside Nyashinski and Roba, has released another gospel jam and it’s totally worth your time.

Also read: Kenyan gospel artists must wake up

The track titled Conqueror talk about the power that God has given us to overcome all the trials and temptations that we might face in our lives.

Collo

In the song, Collo says that when God is on your side no one can be against you, adding that believers must be strong so that they are not deceived easily.

I totally love this jam. Other than the powerful message that it carries, after listening to it, I know you will agree with me that it is well-arranged.

Collo’s flow is still dope. You;ll be so hooked to his wordplay that you might not even notice that this jam neither has a hook nor a chorus yet it still flows.

Of course my favourite line was where said, “Kwa sanaa me ni GOAT though kondoo in christ” I loved the line where he says, “Born sinner, born again winner.” This jam is just bars after bars.

Collo

I loved that the beat and instrumentation on this jam are subtle because they allow you to enjoy his flow and scratch your head as you try to make sense of it all. Notably, the video was also simple but on point.

Watch Conqueror below and tell here what you think.

Nameless Vs Jua Cali: Who made our childhood memorable?

Posted on by David Kingsley

If you are in your 20s or older then I’m sure you have nostalgia when you remember the kind of songs that rules the airwaves in the early 2000s.

Longombas
Longombas

Genge music had just emerged and almost every artist was releasing a song that was inclined towards the genre.

However, others decided to steer their own paths and their songs were received well by fans nevertheless.

Put simply, it was a beautiful time for Kenyan music. It’s almost similar to the music revolution that is being witnessed in the country at the moment.

Among the male artists that were such a big deal at the time were; Pilipili, Flexx, E-Sir, Jimwat, Nonini, Klepto, Czars, Longombas, Redsan, Deux Vultures, Historians, Prezzo, Wyre, Mr. Lenny, Jua Cali and Nameless.

Prezzo
Prezzo

Today, we will focus on the last two names i.e Nameless and Jua Cali simply because they are big deal up to this very day, aren’t they though?

We want to find out who between the two made your childhood memorable and the song that brings back the good old memories.

Admittedly, both artists are talented. They’ve both played a crucial role in shaping the Kenyan sound.

Jua Cali
Jua Cali

However, if you had to choose one of them, who would you settle on and why? Tell us below.

Nyashinski walks us down the road of his music journey since his heydays

Posted on by Gloria Katunge

The popular ¨Free¨ hitmaker desired to be a doctor as a youngster but his teenage brain got a little preoccupied with music that saw him quit school for Kleptomaniax.

Nyashinski would scribble lyrics on little pieces of paper as well as listen to as much American music as possible, even dared to grow his hair.

The rapper´s ancestry all traces way back, one that saw him and friends, Munkiri and Collo, form Kleptomaniax group.

This came at a time when they world perform during Nairobi School hype and to him:

…especially so when the girls would scream out at us after performing for Insyder.

That was good enough. The passion was everything.

Way to fame

As a teenager, he did rub shoulders with the dad who would not approve his decision to drop school for some funny music:

Dad didn’t approve, thought it was a waste of time.

But over time, he has become a great fan of my work.

So much so that he brought me a musical instrument that I will soon learn to play. Watch this space.

Nyamari Ongegu got admitted to KU to study Environmental Planning and Management where he hoped to join UNEP.

He however dropped out in the 3rd year since Kleptomaniax had already risen to fame and was the talk of the town.

We had started getting paid some good money [KSh 30,000 a gig for the singing group of three] and I was ready to see where music would take me.

US relocation

Unfortunately, just as his teenage music career had become promising, the family had to relocate to USA, though still excited:

It was probably the best thing that could have happened to me.

Growing up with that attention from my music may have stunted me somewhat.

I was happy to leave Kenya.

I had started getting tired of keeping up with the momentum of releasing good music.

Plus the allure of the US we saw in movies was enticing.

For the Kenyan rapper, he loved the anonymity there, all excited about new discoveries.

However, his parents´ move was that their last kid actually resumes studies and take them seriously but 21 year old Nyashinski felt it was a waste of resources.

I didn’t want to waste my dad’s money on school fees and student loans because I knew that it wasn’t for me.

Now in America, I just wanted to look for work and start making money.

Career journey

He kick started his career by delivering slips from institutions to banks, and get paid $900 weekly which well, didn´t let him starve.

The Kenyan artist however sought to move his money-making ways to greater heights therefore had to undertake a truck-driving course.

This move saw him get into the trucking business that earned him more and with greater benefits, although his dad wasn´t convinced yet.

Just like any other hype that cools off once you´re in, the truck business wore him off and kept his parents worried for his safety.

While on the road, Nyamari would still compose lyrics in his head, lost in his thoughts because music was Bae.

Fortunate enough, he realized his long-lost  dream someday when a friend invited him over informing him of a friend who owned a studio, he would check it out.

There was no pressure on me to record anything.

It was all in good fun, and that’s why I went.

Just for fun, he did his music until the day he did some songwriting and recording.

But then he played a beat… A few weeks later, he invited me back and I went, and we went to a different studio and I sat down, wrote some lyrics and recorded a song.

Comeback

Since then, he never looked back, spending close to 10 hours at a studio in Chicago, away from work.

It gave me morale, a zest for life.

Then I recorded a song, and sent it to Collo back in Kenya.

I asked him to release it. He did. On SoundCloud.

I don’t think it did very well but he started sending me beats and I would send him voice notes.

Then other singers started reaching out to me and I would help them with the writing too.

¨Letting Go¨ jam that featured Nyashinski and Nameless was in a bid to see the Kenyan rapper, return home and build his music career.

I didn’t like how I looked in the video.

I was a tad bit overweight, and so I decided to shape up.

And the idea to come back to Kenya was gaining traction so I changed my diet and worked out

The two linked up in the US.

I thought about coming back home real hard.

I knew that music was my talent and at the end of the day, I would have to answer to God if I didn’t use it.

So again, I went back to my parents and told them that it was time I went home.

They wanted to know if I knew what I was doing. I wanted their blessings.

Blessings he did receive but his pockets did not allow therefore moved into Nairobi West in 2016, aged 31.

That is when the popular rapper made his music comeback in the Kenyan industry, producing hit after another.

Mungu Pekee, Hayawani, Malaika and Free are just but a few of his music collection since 2016 with Marathon Runner being the new jam in the market.

He however adds that his spiritual life plays the center role in his journey and career.

Don’t rule out Kleptomaniax just yet! Nyashinski speaks on reunion with Collo and Roba

Posted on by Martin Oduor

For those who were born in early 2000s, Nyashinski and fellow rappers Collo and Roba were one time the most sought-after hip hop group in Kenya.

The trio, who were known by their stage name ‘Kleptomaniax’, ruled the airwaves with hits such as ‘Haree’, ‘Swing Swing’, ‘Tuendelee’ among other songs.

Kleptomaniax split and Nyashinski relocated to the US while Collo pushed on solo. Collo got saved in 2016 and starting dropping gospel songs.

Kleptomaniax
Kleptomaniax
Reunion

Nyashinski spoke on a possible reunion with former colleagues Collo and Roba during an interview with Mzazi Willy M Tuva on Mseto East Africa.

The rapper said that Kleptomaniax could be revived since they were still friends. He further revealed that the defunct hip hop group had already recorded songs together which are yet to be released.

“Tunaweza fanya song kwa sababu bado sisi ni marafiki, hio si issue at all. Tumerecord, tuko na kazi Lakini hatujafika point tunafeel hii project tumefanya ni worth sisi kurelease, bado ni process. Personally sipendi kutoa tu song kwa sababu nimeirecord lazima nifike standard ile nafeel nimefanya my best,” said Nyashinski.