In the Caribbeans, they call it a riddim, which is basically a similar rhythm or instruments used creatively and voiced by different artists.
Back home, early 70’s when CDM Kiratu released his hit song ‘Kaba Kuinuka’ it caused a spontaneous reaction from his fellow artists who did sequels to his work, D.K did the first track ‘Kaba Nairobi’ and soon later, Francis Rugwiti did a follow up track ‘Nikaba Kuhoya Ngai’, Joseph Kamaru did a continuation to the art work with his track ‘Muraikio Riko Ni D.K’
Years later when John Ndicu established himself in the industry, he did a follow up song ‘Guku ii Ngukuue’ which was on a different rhythm but on the same theme.
Kaba Kuinuka is for sure one of the best series of songs voiced by our legendary music pioneers displaying their lyrical prowess as highlighted in the below excerpts;
CDM Kiratu~“Nikio ndauga nikaba kuinuka tondu mbeca woi cia taoni
Ndaciahoka ngagurana nacio nguona ta ngutura atari muka”
D.K~ “Nií Nairobi ngakujwo na ruwa, nií ndingiinuka ngaconore maitu witu itari mandathi ngahurwo ni ciana”
Francis Rugwiti~ “Kiratu arauga ni kaba kuinuka, DK akauga ni kaba Nairobi, na nií Rugwiti nguuma na ruthario,uge wa Ngai nduri mugaruri”
Joseph Kamaru~“Nií ndirauga Nairobi ni kuuru no kaba gicagi gia kiumia na njuma tondu mwaka uyu thakame ni nyingi ngonwo ni maitu akamenya ndi o muoyo”
John Ndicu~ “Wona twakinya gicagi eh, tuurie mbura yuure tuhande mboga na mathukuma, na inyui ndatiga Nairobi mutigwo na wega ni mukainuka Ngai wanyu enda…”
“Nitwagikinyire gicagi na mahoya maitu Ngai akimaigwa,mbuura ikiura nene igikuria mboga na mathukuma”
Much later John De Mathew touched on the same theme too with his track ‘Thina Ti Mbathi’ where he is forced to go back to the countryside after facing hardships at the capital
“Ni ndonire ndi ka inuka Korogoco ndikoimira ngiumania na gwita arata manjikire mucango, thina ni wagutheithanio ngiona cia tigiti, ndacoka gicagi ngioya ndururu na iciko, ngihanda makorobia na maboga, Ngai agiikurukia mbura ngigia na magetha…”
After facing the wrath of urban life,Moses Wanyoike resorts to going back home as captured in his track ‘Ndacoka Muthithi’
“Ndacoka gwitu Muthithi kuria ndaciariirwo, ndakinya njire aciari mahe kieya njake tondu ni ndagire wira nií nduike mukulima na ni nguona mbeca”
Joe Mopero wraps it up with his tune his tune ‘Heri Nyumbani’ with the parting shot
“Ndugu zangu mie nashangaa, taabu za mjini zimenishida mimi…Kila siku kutafuta kibarua nimeshachoka heri ni rudi nyumbani”
Talking of legends doing social commentary trying to address Rural-Urban migration in our society
