Kalamashaka
Kalamashaka (aka K-Shaka ) is a hip-hop group from Dandora, a ghetto settlement in Nairobi , Kenya . They became known in 1998 with the song Tafsiri Hii .
Career
The band's curtain opened to some international rap stars like Coolio and the Lost Boyz. They have performed in several countries such as Nigeria , Sweden , Netherlands , South Africa , Norway and others. Kalamashaka decisively paved the way for Swahili hip hop, which is now mainstream music in Kenya. The band is popular with fans of hardcore rap for their deliberately social and political lyrics. Her first album Ni Wakati (released in 2001) was a big seller and the South African Channel O played one of the videos "Fanya Mambo" from the album. The album was aimed at street crime, tribalism , politics and African conflict. Their popularity began to fade with the rise of Kapuka and Genge , who were danceable, which a huge percentage of youth preferred to listen to over other things like philosophical music. FM radio stations are reluctant to play music with social content like that of Kalamashaka, which led to their decline from fame. Even so, the band remained active and reluctant to move with the times and make commercial music. The band influenced others like Mashifta , Gidi Gidi Maji Maji , K-South , Necessary Noize and a horde of other artists. Snoop Dogg is said to have called them the best rappers in Africa.
The band helped other young people from Dandora start their rap careers. They are associated with the formation of the band Ukoo Flani Mau Mau, which is a collective of around 40 rappers from Nairobi and Mombasa with a few Tanzanians. Ukoo Flani Mau Mau released the album Kilio Cha Haki in 2004 and followed up with the 2006 Dandora Burning . Their great contribution and influence on the album is clearly evident.