It takes more than talent and passion to build a musical empire. One needs to not only identify and grow talent but also source capital and ensure investors get a return on investment. Many have tried but only a few have built true empires in the Kenyan industry.
With little to no support, and even less industry knowledge, these individuals have weathered the storm to build a legacy that defines the Kenyan music industry.
This list of empire builders includes producers, entrepreneurs, regular artistes and visionary talent managers who have made history. Though diverse in their backgrounds they share a common tenacity and a never-say-die attitude that has seen them through.
Peter Nduati is credited for operating one of the few fully fledged record labels in Kenya, Pine Creek Records. The label pays their artistes upfront with record advances, sometimes paying their expenses. After the massive exit of global giants in the mid-60s and 70s, record labels have struggled to survive in Kenya.
Though there are many recording studios and management companies that play the role of a record label, genuine record labels that invest in an artiste from scratch are rare.
Though widely known for his success in the insurance industry, Peter Nduati has continued to invest in the music industry despite the challenges therein. Pine Creek records started in 2005 and has so far produced 27 albums, top of which are Hatimaye and Manzili from Atemi, Twisted Straight by Nikki, Mr Lenny’s Kwanini, and Starborn by Anto Neo Soul.
“The label became self-sustaining in 2012. Some of our biggest hits include Bebi Bebi by Atemi, Hii Ngoma from Nikki and featured Collo, also Nikki’s Niwe Wako Milele, Chips Funga by Anto Neo Soul, and Leo sang by Mr Lenny,” said Peter Nduati.
Pine Creek has continued in its quest for music glory, signing alternative pop group Mankind late last year.
With little to none of showbiz experience, Marek took the soulful boy band from just another great band to a money making machine.
He achieved a milestone that many before him have tried and failed. Managing artistes is no small feat, it takes a delicate hand to both collaborate and guide the temperamental nature of creatives.
The biggest risk in any music venture is actually the artiste, who can wash down years of investment with one false move. Marek, however, has managed to work very well with Sauti Sol, leading them to greater heights with each strategic move.
“The guys and I would have been successful even if we decided to start a dry cleaning shop,” Marek admitted. “We are driven and focused individuals; we fight and argue a lot but we have a common goal and vision.”
The prolific music producer has shaped urban music for almost 20 years now. Some of the biggest hits he has produced include Punchline Kibao by Ukoo Flani, Nonini’s Keroro , Hii Ngoma by Nikki, Kare by P-Unit, Ha-He by Just a Band and You Guy by P-Unit.
He has a litany of hits associated with him and has over the years discovered numerous hit makers who made their name on a Musyoka-track.
He started producing music in 1997 at the famous Sync Studio, under the tutelage of Muhammud Omar, Ambrose Mandugu and Ted Josiah. As head producer at Homeboyz Entertainment he worked with artistes such as Prezzo, TID, Sema, Mr Lenny, Bamzigi, Nameless, AY, Wyre, Peter Miles, Nikki and Nonini. His biggest hits at the time included Keroro, Leta Wimbo, Nataka Kudunda, Watasema Sana, Make a Choice, Muwala, Nipe Nikupe, Hii Ngoma , and Furahi Day. He Says: “Our main highlight was when P-Unit won a Channel O award for best group; it cemented our influence on the African music scene. Another was scooping an MTV Mama nomination alongside heavy weights like P-Square, Radio and Weasel, among others. At the time Kare was the biggest song in Africa for six weeks on Radio Express chart, which is the global distributor of top-40-format content. My greatest achievement is knowing that I have been a source of inspiration.”
Back in the day, just having studio was a great achievement. Though his wasn’t a multi-million shilling set up, Clemo did magic with very modest equipment. Calif is the cradle of genge music, producing the likes of Nonini (Hubert Nakitare), Juacali (Paul Nunda), Pilipili (Peter Gatonye) and Mejja (Meme Hadhija), Flexx (Michael Mwangi) and the late Lady S (Sharon Wangwe) who died in a road accident in 2007.
It was named after California Estate which neighbours Majengo to the north and Eastleigh in the south. Though the genre was considered a cheap imitation of hip hop music when it first came out, Calif stayed the course and secured a page in Kenyan music history.
You cannot talk about Kenyan urban music without mentioning Tedd Josiah. He started as a musician. First, briefly with the group Ebony Affair before forming a new group, Hart, in 1993.
The group was disbanded in 1995 and Josiah joined Sync Sound Studios as a producer. In 1999 he left Sync Sound Studios and formed Audio Vault Studios.
It was renamed Blu Zebra in 2002. Back when Kenyan music was in its infancy stages, he produced the iconic compilation albums called Kenyan, The First Chapter and Kenyan, The Second Chapter. The two albums featured Hardstone, Kalamashaka, Gidi Gidi Maji Maji, Necessary Noize, In-Tu, Jimmy Gathu, Maina Kageni, Pete Odera, Ndarling P and Ugandan musician Kawesa.
He is Wyre’s former boss - the mega star previously worked at his Blue Zebra studio - and a founding father of Kenyan urban music as we know it.
