Dynamic duo Amos and Josh have released the second video of their upcoming project titled Contrast. Amos and Josh’s 'Baadaye' is an unusual release on death from an urban duo. PHOTO | FILE
The song’s video begins with a melancholic acoustic guitar, Josh clad in white, a scene that dissolves into a tearful woman pondering what to write on a piece of paper. She is mourning the abrupt demise of a loved one.
Music lecturer Mutuku agrees that minor keys are inherently sad. The songs, as the study mentioned, usually begin softly, then rise in volume. Good vocalists — such as Amos towards the end of the song — can explore their prowess on various octaves. Accompany that with a slow tempo and you have a tear jerker.
In a country where songs seldom explore the theme of death, Amos and Josh’s Baadaye is an emotionally devastating piece. When the song’s structure and arrangement is measured against studies on how to write sad, sombre songs, it shows is a rare shift from Kenya’s contemporary music.
Amos Muema and Joshua Simani shot to the limelight after being the first runners-up of the singing competition Tusker Project Fame in 2013.
