It takes a lot of hard work to make a relationship last. There has to be a great element of trust, communication and above all sticking together no matter what. This is just but a snippet of what Kenyan queen of afro soul Atemi Oyungu’s distinct style of music and one of Kenya’s best rappers Khaligraph Jones bring to you in their new track ‘Kama We’.
‘Kama We’ – the third single off Atemi’s upcoming third album – is a track that depicts some of the turbulent storms that couples go through in relationships. In the song, they have brought out the undying love and trust that a couple has and despite any trials they go through, there is the undisputed fact that they have to stick together.
Khaligraph comes in with his verse saying,” You’re the one I asked for, hakuna mwingine nataka,” and the two team up with, “And najua wengi watasema kwamba sifai, but usiskize maneno coz hizo zote ni lies.” Her velvet voice teamed up with the lyrical flow of Khaligraph brings out a smooth flow that brings out the sensational magic that is the two artists.
Described as Kenya’s Miriam Makeba, Atemi started singing at an early age. By the time she was clocking 10, she was a part of the junior choir at Nairobi Baptist church. She later joined Eric Wainaina’s band in 2003 and also played a big role in his one of a kind musical production Luanda. Her debut release in 2004 of the track “Happy” quickly became a re-played track and she has not looked back.
She launched her debut album “Hatimaye” in May 2008 which made it stand out with its distinct taste of a mix of neo soul and afro fusion. Her sophomore album ‘Manzili – State of life’ released in March 2013 at a concert where Neo soul and RnB took over the hearts of all who attended the launch. She has also headlined at a number of festivals including Sawa Sawa festival in Nairobi, Koroga festival in Nairobi, Sauti za Busara in Mozambique and Maputo flying carpet festival in Maputo, Mozambique. Some of the musical sensations she has worked with Chris Adwar, Tim Rimbui, Lady Jaydee and Delvin Mudigi of the boy band Sauti Sol.
Atemi is also the general manager of Pine Creek Records and an independent events manager. She is one of my favorite Kenyan artists and after Nairobi, Taxi, Bebi Bebi and Sunny day; I don’t know who wouldn’t have her songs in their playlists. You can sample some of her songs here.
Brian Robert Ouko, mostly known for his stage name Khaligraph Jones, made his way into the Kenyan entertainment scene in 2009 after he won the Kenyan edition of the Channel O Emcee Africa competitions when he was just 19. His lyrical prowess has commended him to be one of the most listened to hip hop Kenyan artists. The 26 year old also stands out with the fact that he can rap comfortably in English and Swahili. He has worked with several big artists including Stella Mwangi, Kristoff, Xtatic, Rabbit, Chiwawa, Kaytrixx and many others. Yego which is a tribute to Julius Yego is his most famous song. Some of his famous songs include Ting badi Malo, We be happening feat Kristoff, Chizi and others which you can find here.
