Tag: Ochunglo Family News

Ochunglo Family will outlive all the new-age musicians, here’s why

Posted on by David Kingsley

I’m a huge fan of Ochunglo Family. I not only like their music but also how they carry themselves. At this point, I can confidently say that they will last longer in this industry than all the other new-age groups or solo artists.

Also read: New-age  musicians are giving established artists nightmares!

If you look at their music approach i.e. the songs that they have release and the collabos that they have done you’ll realise that Nelly The Goon, Benzema and Dmore are actually brilliant people and this reaffirms my line of thought.

If you remember well, we came to know about the group when Nelly teamed up with Dmore on Krimino. Incase you don’t know the background story, it was about an MCA who was complaining after being pepper sprayed in the Nairobi County Speaker’s office.

Ochunglo Family
Ochunglo Family

My point is they turned an funny clip that we’d ordinarily share on WhatsApp and forget about into a song and we all loved it, at least most of us did. The song blew up in a few days and before we knew it, they were on everyone’s lips simply because of their ingenuity.

The same case applies to their latest jam dubbed Kaa Na Mama Yako which was as a result of something West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo mentioned during a rally while warning certain people to stay away from his functions.

What Ochunglo Family does is to turn ordinary clips that we’ve all seen into songs and we consume their music because we can relate to it because let’s be honest I’m pretty sure you all watch the Lonyangapuo and krimino video before they infused them in their songs.

Every so often they release songs that have nothing to do with viral clips because they don’t want to be monotonous. They want to show us that they are actually talented. In my opinion, this is actually commendable or else we would have a song from Ochunglo Family about every viral clip.

Ochunglo Family with Ethic
Ochunglo Family with Ethic

If you also look at the collabos that they have done to date, you’ll realise that they are not random. In one way or the other, the songs played a big part in growing their fanbase and made up them who they are today.

Apart from being geniuses, I also realised that the three members of the group are actually mature. This is not just about age. If you’ve watched their interviews and seen how they carry themselves, I know you agree with me on this.

To date we’ve never heard any controversial stories about any of the group members and I hope we never do because most of us will be shattered since we have so much hope on these talented stars. The way I see it, this group will be around for a really long time.

Watch Ochunglo Family’s latest jam dubbed Kaa Na Mama Yako below.

Rekless Vs Nelly The Goon Vs Miracle Baby: Who is the best lyricist?

Posted on by David Kingsley

In the last one year or so, we’ve witnessed the emergence or groups or individuals who’s music approach is different from the norm.

They have treated us to many good songs so much so that you would be right to say that they breathed new life into the local music industry. Didn’t they though?

Out of the many groups of new-age artists, three stand out not for any other reason but because they are made up of super-talented individuals. They are; Ethic Entertianment, Ochunglo Family and Sailors Gang.

If you are keen, then I’m sure you’ve noticed that each of these three groups has an individual who is hailed for his lyrical prowess every time they release a new song. It’s just what it is.

In my opinion, the three are; Rekless (Ethic), Nelly The Goon (Ochunglo Family) and Miracle Baby (Sailors Gang).

For starters, let’s agree that all of them are exceptional. However, we’d still like to know who, acccording to you, is the best lyricist among the three.

Rekless

His verses are always flawless. You can tell that he puts some thought into his each line. He really wowed his fans in Ehic’s latest release dubbed Figa.

https://youtu.be/7R8fhgmSBYE?t=28

Nelly The Goon

His verses are effortless but outstanding. He says random things but the end result is always impeccable. According to many people, he really outdid himself in Ochunglo Family’s latest release dubbed Kaa Na Mama Yako.

Miracle Baby

Although Sailors Gang has only released two songs to date, Miracle Baby has been on everyon’s lips because of his lit verses. He really did a great job in thier latest jam dubbed Pekejeng.

https://youtu.be/v7GJPvidzRI?t=6

 

So, who among the three you putting your money on? Who is the best lyricist according to you and what was your favourite verse by him? Tell us below.

New-age musicians are giving established artists nightmares!

Posted on by David Kingsley

If at all there are people who are not so pleased with the emergence of new-age musicians then it’s the local acts who have been in the game for a longer period, say 5, 10 years or more. I won’t mention any names because you know them too well, don’t you?

Ethic

In my opinion, they have been backed into a corner by the new crop of artists and they don’t have a clue how they can get out of it. Put simply, they don’t know what to do to reclaim their fan bases. As such, some of them are left with no choice but to hate.

New-age musicians are very spontaneous unlike established artists. A random idea is turned into a song and they hit the studio to record it. Before you know it, the video (quality notwithstanding) is out and is getting mad love across the country.

Established artists like to think through all their steps because they feel they have been in the game for long, they know what works. In the end, they released a well-executed song/video but no one bothers to listen to it or watch it. They end up getting only a handful views.

New-age musicians are always on their toes. As soon as they release a song, they are back in studio working on the next hit unlike established artists who will wait for a song to marinate for some months. Before you know it, they have dropped another banger!

Boondocks Gang Chura
Boondocks Gang

Truth be told, these youngins are giving established artists sleepless nights. In other words, they are their biggest nightmare. Imagine trying to keep up with someone who has been in the game for less than a year compared to the many decades that you’ve been doing music. I would also feel horrible!

However, I don’t think all is lost. All established artists need to do is see what they can learn from the new crop of Kenyan musicians if at all they want to survive in this industry because let’s be honest, times have changed so why should they stick to old practices?

Watch Ochunglo Family’s latest jam Kaa Na Mama Yako below.

You can’t resist the new-age music revolution!

Posted on by David Kingsley

There’s a time when I didn’t think much of the new crop of Kenyan musicians. It was around the time Ethic debuted on the local entertainment scene with Lamba Lolo. I thought the song was trashy at best.

Ethic Figa
Ethic

Just like most people, I was quick to dismiss them with them with the excuse that their music was raunchy and lacked any message whatsoever nevermind the fact that I found it a little bit entertaining.

With time, more groups or individuals whose music approach was similar to that of Ethic started emerging and I started warming up to the idea of listening to thier music afterall, most people were praising them.

There is a popular adage that if you can’t beat them, join them and in my opinion that’s exactly what happened to me and it’s not that I was coerced, I came to understand their style and as a result, my love for their music grew.

Ochunglo Family
Ochunglo Family

I moved from being a firece critic of new-age musicians one of their strongest proponents, if not the strongest. Chances are if you meet me along the streets, I’ll ask you if you’ve listened to the latest song by Ethic, Ochunglo Family, Sailors Gang, Boondocks Gang, Rico Gang etc. It’s just what it is.

I came to realize that you can’t really resist the ‘new-age music revolution’, as such, you need to embrace it because wishing them away won’t make the players any less popular. Truth is, they will still get massive airplay on local radio and TV stations even if you hate them so why not have a change of heart like I did?

Rico Gang
Rico Gang

New-age musicians are emerging each day, it almost seems like a revolution, one that will define the Kenyan sound for decades to come. I can only hope that their music will get less raunchy or provocative as time goes. Otherwise, they are the best thing that has ever happened to Kenya.

Listen to Ochunglo Family’s latest jam dubbed Kaa Na Mama Yako below.

Ochunglo Family’s new jam ‘Kaa Na Mama Yako’ is a massive hit (Video)

Posted on by David Kingsley

Ochunglo Family, the super-talented group that is made up of Nelly The Goon, Benzema and Dmore is back with another jam and it slaps really hard, it really does.

Dubbed Kaa Na Mama Yako, the song was inspired by a viral speech by West Pokot Governor Prof. John Lonyangapuo in which he says if you have nothing better to do, stay at your mum’s (This was the simplest way of putting it).

I was really impressed by the delivery of all the group members in this jam. While some claim that Nelly The Goon carried the day, I’m with Benzema on this one. I think he really aced it. Dmore also did a good job.

Ochunglo Family
Ochunglo Family

My favourite line was, however, by Dmore, there is a part he says,”Nyonga nduru nduru, cheza chini ka Waiguru guru, wewe ni mtamu kama sukari nguru nguru, bakora kako ndani si turu turu.”

I have no idea why, I just loved that line. And no, it’s not what you think. Of course it is.

The beat, which was produced by Alvin Brown was also on point. Although the tempo is a bit slow, it’s still really good. This beat can bring life to a party and I’m not even exaggerating.

The video was directed by the one and only Ivan Odie and he also did a great job. I was particularly impressed by the drone shots of the vixens who were dancing on top of the vehicle. It was nothing short of spectacular!

Watch Kaa Na Mama Yako below and tell us what you think.

New-age musicians have killed Nigerian music and that’s a huge win

Posted on by David Kingsley

If you are keen, I’m sure you’ve noticed that Nigerian music is not as popular in Kenya as was the case a few years ago.

Gone are the days when local clubs, radio and TV stations would play one Nigerian song after the other and in my opinion that’s a huge win.

The focus has really shifted to local musicians, especially the new-age artist so much so that you could say that they helped in killing Nigerian music.

Ochunglo Family
Ochunglo Family

You see, the game really changed the day “Lamba Lolo” hitmakers Ethic appeared on the music scene more than one year ago.

In as much as the song was vulgar, many Kenyans couldn’t help but appreciate the fact that their style was different. It was out of the norm.

To add to that, it was very appealing and danceable (is this even a word?). Put simply, it was the kind of music that you could bump in the club.

Sooner or later, more individuals or groups  whose style was similar to Ethic emerged and before we knew it, most local clubs, radio and TV stations were playing their music back to back.

Boondocks Gang
Boondocks Gang

What I love most about the Kenyan music revolution is that the new-age artists are restless which means that unlike their predecessors, they are always in studio. As such, they are releasing hits back to back!

Kudos to Sailors Gang, Boondocks Gang, Ethic, Ochunglo Family, Rico Gang, Fat Boy Gwash, Zzero Sufuri etc.

I can only hope that one day we’ll get rid of Tanzanian music like we did with Nigerian music!

Has Octopizzo lost relevance?

Posted on by David Kingsley

You might hate me for this but sometimes I get the feeling that Kenyan rapper Henry Ohanga, alias Octopizzo, has lost his relevance or he’s on the verge of losing it. Well, I could also be wrong.

Also read: Octopizzo Vs Khaligraph, whose music approach is better?

Admittedly, the Kibera-bred artist still makes good music but the truth is that is not what the mass market is consuming heavily. Put simply, it’s not the kind of music that most Kenyans are vibing to at the moment.

Octopizzo has released two songs since the year begun i.e. Babylon and Zikishika. While both songs were above par and well-executed, none of them was hit and we can debate this until the cows come home.

You could argue that the Oliel hit maker targets a particular niche with his music and he’s not interested in the mass market but the truth is that every artist wants his songs to go viral and garner millions of views on YouTube.

Octopizzo
Octopizzo

As we speak, Zikishika – which was released in April, has 810,000 views. Babylon – which was released in February has garnered only 780,000 views so far.

Now let’s compare this to Ethic who make music for the mass market. They have also released two songs this year namely Pandana and Figa. Pandana, which dropped in March has 2.3 million views, Figa which was released a fortnight ago has slightly above 1 million views.

If it is indeed true that numbers don’t lie, what does this tell you? What does it imply? The way I see it is that Octopizzo is losing or has lost relevance in the local music industry. It’s just what it is.

The emergence of new age-artists like Boondocks Gang, Ethic, Ochunglo Family, Rico Gang, Zzero Sufuri really tilted the scales. The mass market is consuming their music heavily at the moment and the sooner Kenyan artists realize this, the better!

We’ve seen the likes of The Kansoul working with these new age artists so that they can remain afloat so why can’t Octopizzo follow suit?

Watch Octopizzo’s latest release dubbed Zikishika below.

 

Has Ethic been dethroned?

Posted on by David Kingsley

Tomorrow marks a year since Ethic, a group whose members are Rekles, Swat, Zilla and Seska, debuted on the local entertainment scene with Lamba Lolo.

They introduced Kenyans carefree music and we loved them never mind the fact that their song was a bit vulgar. Wasn’t it?

Ethic
Ethic

Soon enough, Ethic released other songs; Position, Saba, Instagram, Pandana and before we knew it, they were household names. Yup, they became stars in one year!

Perhaps the icing on the cake for them was participating in Coke Studio 2018. Anyone musician will tell you for free that that’s an opportunity that they are ready to die for.

Ethic has empowered many young musicians in the last one year. They have shown them that making a hit song does not take much, that you don’t have to splurge.

They also gave them courage to sing about anything that comes to their minds, which is mostly raunchy stuff, but that’s a story for another day.

Ochunglo Family
Ochunglo Family

In the last one year we’ve seen the emergence of new age musicians and groups and in my opinion they should all thank Ethic for leading the way for them.

The like of Ochunglo Family, Boondocks Gang, G-Rock, Gwaash etc. would be nowhere today were it not for Ethic. Deep down you also know that this is true.

Interestingly, though, I feel that some of the new-age musicians learned the ropes too fast and have since dethroned Ethic as Kenya’s best new-age musicians. What do you think?

Side note: A little bird told me that Ethic and Ochunglo Family have already done the remix for Pandana and it will be released anytime now. Get your eardrums ready!

New-age musicians are so unpredictable and that’s the beauty of music

Posted on by David Kingsley

Gone are the days when every song was about hitting on fine ladies in a club, love, checking out ladies in the hood or just getting wasted.

Kenyan music has become so diverse in the last few years  so much so that there’s a song literally about anything that you can think of.

I might have some reservations about new-age musicians and how they package their songs. However, the fact is that they have played and continue to play a huge role in diversifying the Kenyan sound.

Also read: New age musicians are destroying the Kenyan sound

Unlike their older peers, new-age musicians are more spontaneous. An idea is hurriedly conceived, the next minute they are in studio recording the song.

Ochunglo Family
Ochunglo Family

Before you know it, the song is out and getting good reviews on social media as well as music streaming sites.

If you listen to Ethic, Ochunglo Family, Boondocks Gang, Zzero Sufuri, G-Rock and the likes explaining how their hit songs came to be, they all say that they were just vibing in the house and viola!

Perhaps, this unpredictability is what the Kenyan music industry needs. Think of it like this, the main reason people like Willy Paul are successful is because you never know what to expect of them.

One minute he has a gospel song that really glorifies The Lord, the next he’s getting naughty in a music video with Nandy.

Willy Paul and Nandy
Willy Paul and Nandy

Unpredictability is what makes music beautiful. For instance, Sauti Sol members have a new song where they are singing in French, Lingala and Kinyarwanda. Who would have thought?

New-age musicians have realized that impulsiveness works in the Kenyan music industry. That’s why you’ll find them singing about anything.

From matatus, smoking weed, dustbins, bedroom matters, women’s rears, KDF mandanzis, you name it. I’m sure you also agree that this unpredictability is good to a certain extent.

However, once in a while they find themselves in trouble because let’s be honest, you can’t really sing about anything and everything in a country where there are laws.

Watch Zzero Sufuri’s Zimenishika below. It’s one of my current favourites!

Ochungulo Family release yet another fire hit “Aluta” as fans chill for “Position” remix with Ethic 

Posted on by Pauline Syombua

Ochungulo family are the new kids in the block that you can’t just pass by. Nellythegoon, Dmore and Benzema who make up the group, have teamed up with Exray and Gwaash for their new hit “Aluta”, a dancehall jam that is sure set to take over the clubs.

“Aluta” was released yesterday and is already taking over the online space, raking in almost 30,000 views in just 24 hours.

Pandana

The song was mixed and mastered by Ashi Akatsa while the video was done by Ivan Odie. The song comes just days after Ochungulo family revealed that they are in studio with Ethic working on “Pandana remix”. The two agreed to work on the remix after the group posted on social media asking who they should feature.

Watch the video below

 

Gwaash is exactly what Kenyan music industry needs

Posted on by David Kingsley

If there’s an artist who has played a big role in pushing the new Kenyan sound then it’s Fat Boy Gwaash. No kidding.

He is the biggest proponent of Gengetone (or whatever you prefer to call it) so much so that he he has taken it upon himself to ensure it’s not just a wave.

You see, Fat Boy Gwaash has done a collabo with almost all the new-age artists save for Ethic. I’m told that he always seeks the collabos himself.

Gwaash
Gwaash

This way, he ensures that people keep listening to their songs. As a result, they will never fade from the music scene.

He has also previously stated that he will not do a song with an established musician until there comes a time when they will be at par.

In my opinion, he is the future of Kenyan music and we need more people like him if all we ever want to phase out foreign (read as Tanzanian) music completely.

The country is in a good place at the moment – musically speaking and I would love to see the day when our artists will have fans not only in Kenya but also outside.

Listen to his collabo with Munju Reh dubbed Hama Mtaa below.

Kenyan musicians have done so many collabos this year and we’re really impressed

Posted on by David Kingsley

Maybe you’ve noticed, maybe you haven’t but Kenyan musicians have dropped so many collabos since the year began. If you are a huge fan of local music, like yours truly, I’m you are also impressed.

For the first time in a long while, there’s something good to say about the local entertainment industry. We’re barely five months into the year and we’ve seen the most unexpected collabos. It’s such an exciting time to be alive.

Artist have not only realized the importance of doing collabos, they have also decided to step out of the comfort zones. On a light note, I’m pretty sure Kenyan musicians agreed that 2019 is the year of working together.

What I love most about this is that our artists are not only working with their fellow Kenyan musicians, they are also crossing borders and working with acts from Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana and Jamaica.

The likes of rapper Khaligraph Jones have featured on four great collabos since we crossed over into 2019. The songs are; Japo Kidogo, Kiboko (Remix), Megarider (Remix), and Chukua Selfie which was a campaign but still counts.

Papa Jones aslo featured Nigerian rapper Ycee on Gwala which was released in January this year.

If you’ve noticed, Naiboi is also doing a lot of collabos this year. He has two songs with Kristoff, a song with Brown Mauzo. He was featured on Chukua Selfie. His new song with Vivian and Savara dubbed came out a few hours ago.

Arrow Bwoy has also been breaking his back when it comes to music collabos. He has a song with Demarco, another one with Cecile. He has also worked with Gabu and Jovial

Other artists who’ve dropped good collabos this year are; Willy Paul, Timmy Tdat, Nyashinki, Jua Cali, Avril, King Kaka, Mr Seed, The Kansoul, Rankaddah, Rankaddah, Mayonde, Ochunglo Family, just to name a few.

To say the least, I am impressed. I can’t help but imagine how many more great collabos we’ll see before the year ends. I hope this also serves as a wake up call to artists who have been shying away from collabos.

What are some of your favourite local collabos this year? Leave a comment below.

Addi Chokoch, talented street kid who is way better than your favourite musician (Video)

Posted on by David Kingsley

There’s a street kid who is causing ripples in the local entertainment industry. His name is Addi Chokoch and I believe that it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a household name.

He caught the attention of music fans after a clip that showed him rapping for a matatu passenger, perhaps to get some coins in return, went viral on social media.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwIEqYJBhwA/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1kc3i8lr7lybb

Our creator works in mysterious ways, as they say. Somehow, this clip was also seen by Dmore of Ochunglo Family and he decided to reach out to Addi Chokoch to see if they could work on a song together.

The two got into studio alongside Shagwah, Dark C and Bofa and came up with a banger titled Get A Tako which was released roughly three weeks ago.

The song was inspired by a game that I’m sure most of you played when you were in nursery or the lower primary classes.

Addi Chokoch with Dmore, Dark C and Bofa

It goes like, “One two make a circle, three four a big circle…” The corrupted version goes like “One two get a tako, three four a big tako…“

You must be thinking, “This is just another vulgar song, why should I listen to it?” If you are keen enough, you’ll notice Addi Chokoch’s music prowess.

From his choice of words to his rhymes to his flow, everything is superb. You instantly feel like he has been doing this for a while which is not the case.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwREljQBMSl/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=u9obd8v6sgzt

From the look of things, it’s only a matter of time before he edges out your favourite artist. I honestly can’t wait to see what he has in store for us.

Watch Get A Tako here and tell us what you think.

New age musicians are destroying the Kenyan sound

Posted on by David Kingsley

When you think of Kenyan music, the first people who come to your mind are the likes of Sauti Sol, Kidum, Nyashinki, MDQ, Sage, H_art The Band, Blinky Bill, Mayonde, Khaligraph, Fena, Phy, Dela, Le Band, Wangeci, Otile Brown, Naiboi etc.

Khaligraph Jones

These are all super-talented musicians who have treated us to great hits and continue to do so. In one way or the other, they have helped shape the Kenyan sound. They are a good representation of what our music is.

However this is changing fast. Kenyan music is no longer beautiful. It’s vulgar and provocative simply because new age musicians are drawing inspiration from Ethic, Ochunglo Family, G-Rock, just to name a few.

Let me explain, don’t throw stones just yet. You see, Ethic used some nasty words in Lamba Lolo and got away with it. Their song was one of the three biggest hits in 2018 alongside King Kaka’s Dundaing, Naiboi’s 2 in 1 and Sauti Sol’s Short and Sweet.

Ochunglo Family and G-Rock, the group behind the Matako hit, followed suit and used some tasteless words in their songs and no one seemed to give a hoot. What’s even more is that all these singers shot risqué videos. Surprisingly, these songs are even played on TV.

Believe it or not, these vulgar artists an inspiration to many new age musicians. They have made their peers bolder. The logic is that “If Ethic did this and got away with it. We can also do the same.”

These days, young boys and girls are picking up their cameras and recording whatever vulgar words that come to their head and releasing a song. Because this has now become the norm, nobody bothers to interrogate the words that were used so long as the song is catchy.

I’ve always wondered what goes through their minds as they are recording these songs, what do they intend to achieve? The answer is nothing. These young boys and girls just want to be famous and make some coins.

While at it, they are ruining the Kenyan sound. I honestly feel that this needs to trend needs to come to an end. Instead of moving forward, we are going back to the early 2000s when vulgar music defined the Kenyan sound and this is wrong.

Listen to Ethic’s new single Pandana below. What are your thoughts on this?

Ochunglo Family is the best thing that ever happened to Kenyans

Posted on by David Kingsley

I’m a huge fan of Ochunglo Family, a group that is made up of Dimore, Benzema and Nelly The Goon. Like most people, I first came to know of them when they released Krimino in October 2018.

The song, which was inspired by an incident between Nairobi nominated MCA Mary Njambi and Speaker Beatrice Elachi, was an instant hit prompting the group to release its video.

The video propelled the song further since it could now be played on TV and included in video mixes.

Soon enough, everyone wanted to know who Ochunglo Family is and whether they had an other song. They had ignited a fire within us.

It later dawned on us that that the group had been around for some time before they broke out with Krimino.

Truth is, there a time for everything. Ochunglo Family’s time had finally come and they took it with both hands.

Perhaps this would explain why they went back to studio almost immediately and released yet another club banger dubbed Na Iwake.

As were beginning the year, the group released another single titled Thutha, another song that has been receiving massive airplay on local radio stations.

About a week ago, they dropped the remix for Na Iwake featuring The Kansoul. The song had garnered 170,000 views when this article was publish. This is enough to show you how good it is.

While there’s no denying the fact that their music style is unique and they have witty lyrics, it’s their consistency that has made them a cut above the rest.

Believe it or not, the group has released 6 new songs in the last 6 months. What’s even more is that all the songs have videos. Beat that!

Clearly, there’s no stopping for these young men. Watch out for Ochunglo family!