My List of Kenya's Top Five Male Vocalists

This post was inspired by this post and the ensuing back and forth.Caution: Long post ahead.

Like any other response, whether in academia, the dailies or a case at the chief's, we'll start off with disclaimers. Such as the fact that I've never met the writer of the said article. When someone lauds you in public, how does one respond? This is different from the postconcert 'you guys are awesome' statements in that someone published it on a website with thousands of readers and probably did not qualify that this was their personal opinion or why it was their opinion.

Speaking of opinions, I have sung the praises of other vocalists on this blog for years now. I have decided to come up with my own list of vocalists I look up to, with reasons why I look up to them. Does it mean I am not good? Really tricky question right there. It depends on whether you want to know my opinion regarding my abilities or my opinion of other people's opinions regarding my abilities (e.g. the article). I will reply to whatever's going on at Zuckerberg's after posting this.

The order is not representative of a hierarchy in my head. These are some of the people who keep me working and practicing.

1. Nicco

The gospel singer/worship pastor at Nairobi Chapel is a vocal powerhouse (in case I use that word more than twice on this post please refer to this disclaimer) whose mastery of vocal use is without question. I have heard him live and the guy belts at the edge of his range without getting weak at all. If you get to listen to their latest DVD, check out his rendition of  Atawale and keep in mind the range he is singing at-and that he has been singing throughout the concert. He is a sought after vocal trainer as well.

Like Robe below, Nicco believes only lazy vocalists resort to falsetto when singing. That means according to him, your range must grow if you are serious about this singing thing.

Here is a video of a song he did with Mercy Wairegi

2. Bien-aime Baraza

You knew this was coming. But you see, you have never been outside Alliance Francaise Nairobi with Barbra and Koech when Bien walks out and grabbing a guitar sings for you this song he has been working on. No, you haven't been moved by another person's voice-it's silkiness but most of all clarity of tone. You have no idea what that is.

But this is what you know, the runs in their Sautisol, P-Unit collabo-gentleman. You know harmonies in Bowane Lelisu. You do not know that this guy practices more than most 'artistes' out there. Last time I checked, he used to do kedo 5 hours daily.

I'll have to add Chimano to this list or risk being lynched. And yes, he deserves to be part of it as well. Again, there's a Wyclef thing he does at the end of his verse in Sofia. Forget the ad libs in Still the One and Sura Yako, next time you listen to Nishike, listen to Chimano's verse-and not what he says, his voice. Just the voice.

3. Josh Simani

I mentioned Josh as a vocalist extraordinaire about 3 years ago when, having performed at Deliverance Church Umoja, on Kate's invite, I walked up to him and told him I could not-and still cannot-do the maneuvers he does with his voice. He said he thought I was amazing, I thought he was being a Christian.

To be honest, I did not think much of Amos when they auditioned for TPF. But I have had to change my position on that. Thing is this, if you are comparing the two of them, Amos can play around with scales like PLO Lumumba with words. But listen to Josh's tone. For some reason, the man can run from here to kingdom come but prefers to sing straight (akin to a drummer keeping a groove).

Now that I'm done showing off, here's what you should do-listen to Josh in Baadaye, this gig with Kanji and most of all, the stark difference in vocal sweetness when he comes in after Bien on Nerea. Jeso!

4. Bethu

The voice leading HPB (Highest Praise Band) at ICC is also another previous mention here.

The people mentioned on this list have vocal stamina, clarity and a rich tone honed over time. They also have technique that means they can pull off anything in front of a world renowned vocalist and stand their own. In my opinion. Lastly, they can ad lib, trill, smoke, bend their notes in a scale without going flat/sharp and while the instrumental foundation is complicated-without sounding showy. They always stay true to the feeling/emotion that was meant to be expressed. Their voices can make you cry or fall in love-I say this to exclude brilliantly trained people who can only make you clap.

I will not say more about Bethu but if you have been to Aflewo or any of his concerts, you will concur. Here's a link to one of their two songs released last year

5. Robe

Robert Kiveu is a renowned vocal trainer in the country. He has performed with the people you see on Joyous Celebration and WOW DVDs. He knows them personally. He travels to perform up to now. Before I continue it is important that I inform you of his being able to hit an F5 in full voice effortlessly and louder than anyone you've ever heard or listened to.

Since he is a trainer, he knows the different qualities his voice has and how to utilize them. Since he can play keys and has a heavy Black American influence/preference, he can growl or glide on an augmented 5th or any of those heavy chords where knowing the root leaves you with a headache. Yep!

Met him at Mamlaka Hill Chapel working with kina Joyce (another one) in preparation for an upcoming concert. He'd tell girls to sing a note they were straining on by singing it himself, without sounding shrill or faltering. He later came to train us, Lele Ngoma, for a month or so. I am yet to meet anyone who can sing better than Robe. Bring me one and I'll pay you. Bei ya jioni.

Special mentions: Ado Vuvuzela of Inka is one of the best talents around. For him, it's about the feel he brings to a song and how he chooses to play with a simple melody to make it sweet. There's a rock band called Rash. I've heard the vocalist on a recording (never met him) and remember telling Ronjey that he has it.

Others will include Harry Kimani because he has an amazing ear that allows him to sing different notes on whatever is being played. Dempsey will be added here.  I've met people with potential to sing but who restrict themselves to one octave in a song, which means they cannot do more, which means they don't put in the work. This is not a list of popular singers or people whose music is loved. Just skilled and talented fellows.

P.S. Didn't use powerhouse twice :-)