THROWBACK THURSDAY: History Class On Production Houses In Kenya

Thursday has to be the most chilled out day of the week; it has no much fuss around it despite being the day that ushers in the weekend.And like all Thursdays, we have the power to unwind the arms of time and behold a moment in history a second time; relieve the past in a good way and see events unravel all over again. That hundred year old tree becomes a shoot once and we see what most stars in our industry looked like before they blew up.

So take my hand as we embark on an odyssey in time of the Kenyan music industry as we look at the days when but a few production houses ran the show and a hit was defined by the studio it was recorded in. Below is a list of the top studios that were the nuts and bolts of our the current music scene.

Home Boyz Productions

This house was responsible for a number of hits and all time favorites. They would take the original form of hip hop songs and lyrics and mixing it to a more local version that can relate to the audience.  

Mandugu Digital

They played big in over the border productions, its market being Tanzania and Kenya regardless of the genre. It gave birth to Mashifta, Shakie, Juliani, Kalamashaka and others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTia8Et8I_M

Ogopa Deejays

Formed in the late 1990s it gained regional fame and popularity due to standards of their production work. Ogopa DJ's who term their style of music as "boomba" or "Kapuka"  which is modern hip hop and dancehall influenced by Africandrums and rhythms. They later formed Ogopa Productions which apart from music production also organizes events. Popular acts from the house are the late E-Sir and K-Rupt, Nameless, Chameleon and Kleptomaniax. They are famous for their logo of a red face screaming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrmVQrPB9dI&list=PLJ0-NNH8n2dKJFcqi_kphNwcHSghgIXQp

Calif Records

Calif Records initiated a new style known as Genge, a reinforcement  of foundational ethos of hip hop as a music for and by the people. It was founded in 2000 by record executive & producer Clement "Clemo" Rapudo, together with his childhood friend Paul Nunda popularly known as.Juacali. It bred artists such as Jua Cali, Nonini, Pilipili and Mejja. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlxtZ-jLOTQ

 BY R.D MUIA