Tag: Motif on The Beat news

Motif Di Don talks about his journey to success, working with Khaligraph and sampling beats (Interview)

Posted on by David Kingsley

Morris Kobia, better known as Motif Di Don, needs no introduction. If you like Kenyan music, chances are high that  you’ve listened to a song that he has produced.

Also read: Gengetone is still alive, kind of

We called him up a few days ago because wanted to know about his journey to success, thoughts on Gengetone, how he started working with Khaligraph Jones, future plans and whatnot.

Motif Di Don and Khaligraph Jones
Motif Di Don and Khaligraph Jones

Motif explained that he was just making beats and giving them to his friends when it hit him that he should send one to Khaligraph because he was really popping at the time.

The Juu Ya Ngori hitmaker really liked the beat and they ended up being friends and that explains why he has been producing his songs since 2015.

Motif did not go to school to learn how to make beats. He told Ghafla that he learnt most of the things that he knows on YouTube.

Asked whether he can sustain himself whether the can sustain himself with the money that he gets from producing songs, he answered in the affirmative and explained that it was hard when he was starting but things got better.

Motif Di Don with Ethic's Mtoto wa Eunice
Motif Di Don with Ethic’s Mtoto wa Eunice

He also shared his thoughts on Gengetone and explained that most Kenyans are vulgar and that is the main reason why genre went viral.

I also asked him about sampling jams seeing as he was in the center of the drama that led to Figa by Ethic being and he explained that the group’s management could not reach an agreement with the owners on how to split revenues.

Lastly, I’m sure all the ladies who are reading this article are wondering whether he has a partner and apparently he does. Sorry I had to be the bearer of this news.

Listen to the full interview below.

Magix Enga Vs Motif Di Don: Who is the baddest producer?

Posted on by David Kingsley

These days, almost every song begins with the words, “Motif Di Don” or “Magix Enga on the beat”. You would be tempted to think that the two are the only music producers in the country which is not the case.

Also read: Magix Enga has taken Kenyan music to the international stage

While the are are countless music producers in Kenya, the work of Magix Enga and Motif Di Don really stands out. They have a distinct approach and this explains why they are a cut above the rest and the most-sought after beat makers.

Motif Di Don
Motif Di Don

Each of them has worked with the biggest names in the entertainment industry and in a way they have helped propel the new Kenyan sound that made many people realize that they can actually enjoy local music.

Magix Enga has worked with the likes of Otile Brown, Timmy Tdat, Arrow Bwoy, KRG The Don, P-Unit, Zzero Sufuri, Ethic, Alvindo, King Kaka, Kristoff, Khaligraph Jones, Prezzo, Naiboi, Mejja, Rankaddah. The list is endless.

On the other hand, Motif Di Don has produced songs for Masauti, Ethic, Otile Brown, Khaligraph Jones, Masterpiece, Nadia Mukami, Qritical, Pro & Lava Lava and Rayvanny who are both Tanzanian singers.

If you are a fan of Kenyan music, like yours truly, then I’m sure you’ve seen your favourite local musician in the aforementioned names. What’s even more is that most of them are big acts which also means that Magix Enga and Motif Di Don are the baddest producers around.

Magix Enga
Magix Enga

In as much as they are both incredible and doing their very best to grow the local industry, at the end of the day, one of them has to be better than the other and that’s what I want to find out from you. I’d like to know your perspective of them.

So tell me, who do you think is the baddest producers between Magix Enga and Motif Di Don? Leave a comment below.

Khaligraph has taken Kenyan music international with his latest release dubbed ‘Superman’ (Video)

Posted on by David Kingsley

Kenyan music is now international thanks to rapper alias Khaligraph Jones. Anyway, let’s be honest, Kenyan music crossed Africa’s borders a long time ago. All I mean is that his latest is release is a gamechanger. That’s all.

Papa Jones has been on a roll since the year began. If you are keen, you’ll notice that he has a new single, including songs in which he is featured, almost every three weeks.

Nameless recently featured him on the remix of Megarider. The song, which was released roughly three few weeks ago, has been getting massive airplay on local TV and radio stations.

Even before the dust settles, Khaligraph is back with yet another single. And no, we are not complaining. In fact, we couldn’t be any happier.

Khaligraph

Yesterday, Khaligraph dropped his latest single dubbed Superman and belive you me, it’s a work of art. Just like wine, this 28-year-old rapper keeps getting better with time.

In the song, Khaligraph talks about his musical journey and how he became one of the biggest rappers in the game because of his sheer determination.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwrqpEuhdi9/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=8kakeqq06nwz

As expected, his rap flow was on point in the song. His lyrics were mostly in English so much so that if don’t know who Papa Jones is you would mistake it for a foreign song. Okay, I’m pushing it.

My favourite line in the song is “My passion for music drove me to the studio not of the money and hype, was dedicated and committed I made the microphone my honey and wife…”

The video which was directed by Jeff Adair was also on point. As it begins, there’s a flicker which hits the ground before Khaligraph emerges from a bush. Perhaps, this is meant to reinforce the fact that he’s a superman.

The beat, which was produced by Motif, was also superb.

Watch Superman below and tell us what you think.

NTV’s The Beat to stop airing on NTV after a clean 14 years 

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

After 14 years of playing local music on Nation Media’s NTV, music show The Beat is finally coming to and end.

The show, which was started by veteran DJ Pinye, took to social media to share that it has terminated it’s contract with the station and might be getting a new home.

“To everyone who has watched us over the last 14 years, supported us, criticized us, sent a shout out, we are happy to have been in this long journey together. The show comes to an end on NTV and we moving to shape the Kenyan music industry keep it locked on our new YouTube channel and social media handles for updates”, read the post.

Poached?

It’s not clear where Pinye might be taking the show next. Many however, believe he might be headed to Citizen TV, which lately has poached a huge number of Nation’s employees.

Meet Motif on The Beat, arguably the most trusted producer in Kenyan showbiz

Posted on by Martin Oduor

Morris Kobia, better known as Motif on the beat in the entertainment circles, is a Kenyan music producer based in Nairobi. He honed his skills as a producer by creating beats and selling them to upcoming artists in Kenya.

Having been blessed with an exemplary skill to offer high quality production to projects, Motif has been able to work on a number of certified hits by various famous artists in Kenya and Africa at large.

Khaligraph Jones is among music heavyweights who have worked with motif. The rapper has recorded and released countless chart topping songs with Motif, the songs include; Yego, Wanjiru and Akinyi, Ting Badi Mallo, M-besha, Songea and I am King featuring the award winning DJ Crème Dela crème.

Motif on the Beat
Motif on the Beat

5 songs in Khaligraph’s new album ‘Testimony 1990’ are credited to Motif’s production. Motif has also had the privilege to work with International acts on 1990 album Including Nigeria’s Mr.Eazi, Ycee and South African based rapper K.O. on songs; Blessings, Gwalla ft Ycee, Superwoman Ft Eazi, Don’t know ft KO and Complicated ft RIA.

Motif has also worked with Qritiqal, a chocolate city new signing and produced ‘Won’t Tell’, that proved the producers versatility on the Afro beats scene.

Bongo artists

2017 was a year of big success to Motiff after he got the privilege to work on an exclusive project featuring Wasafi Record’s Rayvanny on a track titled ‘Chali Ya Ghetto’.

Early this year, Motif produced singer Masauti on the songs ‘Nairobi Lover’ and ‘NuruLain’ track, a track that was very well received in Tanzania and Africa in general.

Currently, Motif is closely working with Tanzania’s songbird Ray C on a couple of projects to be released soon, and more international collaborations yet to be announced.