| Benga | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | Luo music,Kambasoukous |
| Cultural origins | Late 1940s - Late 1960s,Kenya |
| Regional scenes | |
| Kenya •Tanzania | |
| Other topics | |
| Part ofa series on the |
| Culture of Kenya |
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Benga is agenre ofKenyanpopular music. It evolved between the late 1940s and late 1960s, in Kenya'scapital city ofNairobi. In the 1940s, theAfrican Broadcasting Service in Nairobi aired a steady stream ofsoukous,South Africankwela,Congolesefinger-style guitar and various kinds ofCubandance music that heavily influenced emergence of benga. There were also popular folk songs of Tanzania and Kenya'sLuo peoples that formed the base on benga creation.
The Luo of Kenya have long played an eight-stringlyre callednyatiti, and guitarists from the area sought to imitate the instrument'ssyncopatedmelodies. In benga, the electricbass guitar is played in a style reminiscent of thenyatiti. As late as the turn of the twentieth century, this bass in nyatiti supported the rhythm essential in transmitting knowledge about society through music. Opondo Owenga of GemYala, the grandfather ofOdhiambo Siangla, was known for employing music as a means of teaching the history of the Luo. The father of the popular Luo Benga is non-other than The Famous George Ramogi (Omogi Wuod Weta) and CK Jazz. He helped the Benga enthusiasts by recording their Benga music in different labels in the capital city of Nairobi. Dr. Mengo of Victoria Jazz was a protege of George Ramogi.
In 1967, the first major benga band, Shirati Jazz, was formed byDaniel Owino Misiani (22 February 1940 – 17 May 2006).[1][2] The group launched a string of hits that were East Africa's biggest songs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Shirati Jazz's biggest rival wasVictoria Jazz, formed in 1972 byOchieng Nelly Mengo andCollela Mazee. Despite many personnel changes, Victoria Jazz remained popular throughout the 1970s, when theVoice of Kenyaradio station pushed an onslaught of East African pop. Victoria C Band ofAwino Lawi was one of the splinter group of Victoria Jazz.
1997 saw the death of three prominent Luo Benga artists,Okatch Biggy ofHeka Heka Band,George Ramogi andPrince Jully. TheJolly Boys Band of Prince Jully was taken over by his wifePrincess Jully and she has since been a leading female Benga musician.[3]
Another famous benga bandMigori Super Stars was formed in the mid-70s and was led byMusa Olwete which later split to form another popular benga bandMigori Super Stars C with musicians such asJoseph Ochola (Kasongo Polo Menyo),Onyango Jamba,Ochieng' Denge denge and others.
More modern benga artists includeKapere Jazz Band and the rootsyOgwang Lelo Okoth. The new millennium has seen the emergence ofDola Kabarry andMusa Juma. The latter saw his career cut short as he died in 2011. MJ, as he was popularly known to his fans, developed a kind of benga that infused elements of rumba. He was able to mold other musicians such as John Junior, Ogonji, Madanji, and his late brother Omondi Tonny.[4]
Currently, Odhiambo Tusker of Malela Kings Band is considered the superstar of Luo Benga music, with all his music loved by people of all ages.[5][6]
There are also other benga artists based in other countries other than Kenya, such as the American/Kenyan groupExtra Golden.
