#TBT Na Kayvo Kforce: “The Mwananchi Initiative (T.M.I)” (Swahili/English)

English article below

Kenya ilikuwa na uchaguzi mkuu mara ya mwisho mwaka 2017, miaka mitano baadaye tunakaribia uchaguzi mwingine ikiwa imesalia miezi miwili (2) tu kabla ya kupiga kura. Na kama Lupe Fiasco alivyo sema, "Ni wakati wa kufanya maamuzi mazuri". Ni jukumu letu kama raia kufanya jambo sahihi kwa kuchagua watu wanaostahili nafasi ya kututumikia.

Leo nataka kuchambua albamu ya nyimbo 5 ya Kayvo Kforce, The Mwananchi Initiative ambayo ilitolewa mwaka wa 2017, wakati kama huu. Hebu tuziangalie siasa za Kenya kupitia macho ya mchanaji wa Hiphop/Rap kutoka Kenya, Kavyo Kforce.

Simulizi za Hip-Hop/Rap zilianza kama sauti kwa wasio na uwezo na wenye hasira, kisanii ikionesha ukweli mkali wa watu/vikundi ambavyo vilichukuliwa kama watu wa nje. Baadhi ya wasanii wa kufoka wanaojulikana sana walionekana mwishoni mwa miaka ya 1980, wakitayarisha simulizi zinazohusu masuala ya kijamii, zikishughulikia masuala ya umaskini, dawa za kulevya na ukandamizaji wa watu wanaofanyiwa na wanasiasa na wenye mamlaka.

Baada ya muda wasanii wengi wa kufoka wameangukia kwenye matokeo ya umaarufu, na kuwa wabatilifu na wapenda mali, wakijiweka juu ya hadhira yao kwa uangalifu. lakini, kuna wachache waliosimama ambao "wanarudisha" mizizi ya simulizi za rap, wakilenga kushawishi vijana, na kuleta mabadiliko kwa sababu ukandamizaji wa kijamii na kisiasa kwa walio wachache haujakoma.

Hapa nchini Kenya, Kayvo Kforce ni mmoja wa wasanii ambao walijitolea ustadi wake katika kushughulikia matatizo ambayo ni ya sasa zaidi na yanayohusiana zaidi na wasikilizaji.

Msanii wa Hip Hop, mwanamuziki na mkurugenzi wa Namba Nane Kayvo Kforce alitoa mradi mzuka sana mnamo 2017, The Mwananchi Initiative. Madhumuni yaliyokusudiwa kwa mradi huo yalikuwa ni kuzungumza na Wakenya kwa ujumla ili kuwahimiza kukumbatia amani na kupendana na kutoruhusu siasa ziwafarakanishe hata iweje.

Orodha ya ngoma zinazopatikana kwenye The Mwananchi Initiative:

1) Pamoja
2) 2007
3) Agenda Amani
4) Ufisi Ufisadi
5) Haki Na Usalama

Uchambuzi wa albam  yaThe Mwananchi Initiative ngoma kwa ngoma;

1) Pamoja

Msanii toka Namba Nane anatoa wimbo kwa watu wa makabila yote na asili kujumuika pamoja bila kutazama tofauti zao. Kforce anatukumbusha kwamba sote tumeumbwa kwa mfano wa Muumba wetu, bila kujali tunatoka wapi. Sisi ni wamoja, familia moja kubwa. "Tunafaa tukue Pamoja,si ni kitu kimoja."

2) 2007

Mdundo wa kuvutia wa kutikisa kichwa unapofurahia wimbo wa uhamasishaji wenye mitiririko wa kusisimua, wimbo laini kwa ujumla. Mtayarishaji wa goma hili ni Arkish Pro ilhali Kayvo ana chana kuhusu machungu ambayo Wakenya walipitia wakati wa ghasia za baada ya uchaguzi wa 2007 na jinsi zilivyoathiri Wakenya wengi. Kforce alitendea haki kiitikio pia.

3) Agenda Amani

Katika ulimwengu uliojaa migogoro, nyimbo kuhusu amani zinaweza kuleta matumaini na furaha kwa wanadamu. Kwa sauti ya upole Kayvo anawaomba wasikilizaji kufikiria ulimwengu usio na mambo yanayosababisha migawanyiko na mizozo, vikiwemo vita, dini na ubepari. Picha ambayo anachora ni nzuri, na inafaa kupiganiwa. "Agenda Amani,"

4) Ufisi Ufisadi

Kforce anasimulia madhara ya ufisadi na ukosefu wa haki unaofanywa na mamlaka. Anapaza sauti dhidi ya mienendo isiyo ya haki ya serikali, inayolenga kuwaonea wale walio wadogo nchini Kenya.

5) Haki Na Usalama

"Kila siku ni noma ukiskiza radio/
Na ukicheki runing yooh/
Kila siku utacheki watu wanaangushwa joh/
Usalama umezorota jo/
Utumishi Kwa wote hakuna joh/”

Kayvo anatoa wito kwa serikali kukomesha ukosefu wa usalama katika jiji hilo ambalo limeshuhudia ongezeko la visa vya utekaji nyara na wizi.

Wimbo huo unaeleza matukio ya wizi pamoja na utekaji nyara jijini Nairobi ambayo yanazidi kupamba moto mchana kweupe. Uhalifu huu umesababisha hofu miongoni mwa waathiriwa na wakazi wengine wa Nairobi, kuvurugika kwa amani kwenye jamii, na kupunguzwa kwa uwekezaji kwenye sekta ya uchumi.

Kforce anawataka polisi kujitokeza na kutekeleza majukumu yao inavyopaswa na kwamba haki itendeke kwa usawa bila kujali wewe ni nani.

Kivutio kikuu cha albamu ya The Mwananchi Initiative kwangu kilikuwa ni mashairi mazuri ambayo yameenea katika albamu nzima. Nyimbo zote kwenye albamu ziliandikwa kwa ustadi na hakuna dosari katika idara hiyo. Nyimbo za Kayvo Kforce kwenye mradi huu zinawafikia wasikilizaji zikibeba uhalisia wa maisha yao ya kila siku na Kforce atawafanya wahisi hisia zake kupitia mashairi yake, kuimba, kurap na midundo iliyotumika hapa.

English

Kenya had its last general elections in 2017, five years down the line we are approaching another election with only 2 months remaining before we head to the ballot. And as Lupe Fiasco once said, “It's about time to make rich decisions”. It's our role as citizens to do the right thing by electing individuals who deserve an opportunity to serve us.

Today I want to review Kayvo Kforce’ 5 track album, The Mwananchi Initiative which was released back in 2017, around a time like this. Let’s take a look at Kenyan politics through the eyes of Kayvo Kforce an emcee from Kenya.

The Hip-Hop/Rap narrative began as a voice for the powerless and angry, artistically demonstrating the harsh reality of people/groups that were treated as outsiders. Some of the most well-known rap artists appeared in the late 1980’s, producing socially conscious narratives, addressing issues of poverty, drugs, violence and oppression by both political and authority figures.

Inevitably overtime, many rap artists have fallen to the byproduct of fame, becoming vain and materialistic, consciously placing themselves above their audience. However, there are a standing few that are “reclaiming” the roots of the rap narrative, aiming to influence the youth, and produce change because the social and political oppression for minorities has not stopped.

Here in Kenya, Kayvo Kforce is one of those artists who dedicated his craft in tackling problems that are more current and much more relatable for the listeners. 

The Namba Nane Music C.E.O and Hip Hop artiste Kayvo Kforce released this collective project in 2017, The Mwananchi Initiative. The intended purpose of the project was to speak to Kenyans in general to encourage them to embrace peace and love one another and not allow politics to divide us no matter what.

The Mwananchi Initiative Tracklist:

1) Pamoja
2) 2007
3) Agenda Amani
4) Ufisi Ufisadi
5) Haki Na Usalama

The Mwananchi Initiative track by track review;

1) Pamoja

The Namba Nane artiste provides an anthem for people of all tribes and background to come together and look past their differences. Kforce reminds us that we are all created in the image of our Creator, regardless of where we come from. We are one people, One big family. "Tunafaa tukue Pamoja,si ni kitu moja."

2) 2007

Catchy beat to nod your head to as you enjoy the motivational lyrics with passionate flows, smooth track overall. The instrumental is by Arkish Pro and Kayvo delivers a flow over it rapping about the pain that Kenyans underwent through during the 2007 post-election violence and how it affected a lot of Kenyans. Kforce also did justice on the chorus with a stellar performance.

3) Agenda Amani

In a world filled with conflict, songs about peace can bring hope and happiness to humanity.

With a gentle croon, Kayvo asks listeners to imagine a world without the things that cause division and strife, including war, religion and capitalism. The picture that he paints is a beautiful one, and it’s worth fighting for. "Agenda Amani,”

4) Ufisi Ufisadi

Kforce narrates the harmful impacts of corruption and unfairness practiced by the authorities. He laments about the government's unjust behaviors, systematically targeting minorities.

5) Haki Na Usalama

"Kila siku ni noma ukiskiza radio/
Na ukicheki runinga yooh/
Daily utacheki watu wanaangushwa joh/
Usalama umezorota jo/
Utumishi Kwa wote hakuna joh/”

Kayvo calls on the government to end the insecurity in the city that has seen a rise in kidnappings and mugging cases.

The song describes the muggings, robberies and kidnappings in Nairobi that are on the rise and happening in broad daylight. These crimes have caused fear among victims and other Nairobi residents, disruption of social peace, and reduction of economic investments.

Kforce urges the police to step up and perform their duties as it should be and that justice is to be served equally regardless of who you are.

The major highlight of The Mwananchi Initiative album for me was the impeccable lyrics that abound throughout the album. All the songs on the album were exquisitely written and there are no flaws in that department. Kayvo's lyrics gloriously reach out to the listeners as he makes them feel his emotions through his lyrics, singing, rapping and beats.