Mugithi is a well-liked style of music that has its roots within the Mt Kenya area of Kenya. Normally, it includes one musician who’s armed with a guitar pelting songs in Kikuyu language. This style has been dominated by Samuel Muchoki, popularly often known as Samidoh, who began his profession in 2016. He earned the title of ‘King of the Mugithi jangle’ and has impressed the youthful technology to affix the business. One of many younger skills is John Waithaka Mwangi alias Waithaka wa Jane who’s now giving him a run for his cash, one yr since he joined the business.
Right here is the total story as instructed by WoK.
Background
Waithaka wa Jane was born in 1998 in Mathioya in Murang’a County. The shape three drop out is the lastborn in a household of eight – two sisters and 6 brothers. He joined the music business in 2016, taking part in drum units and guitar for veteran musician Mr Pato Wa Gathoni. He made a dedication to be taught the craft first earlier than going solo.
“Whereas performing within the media homes, I shortly realized that musical oldies (Ngogoyo) have been properly beloved and I made a dedication to grasp as many as potential,” he instructed Nation.
The Journey
Waithaka went all out as a solo artist in 2020. Nevertheless, with the pandemic hitting the economic system laborious, gigs dried. However he selected to proceed working laborious, even sacrificing by taking low pay as the federal government banned all reside gatherings and shutting down all leisure joints.
“I used to be approached by a number of vernacular radio stations. Since I used to be an upcoming artiste, I used to be able to take low pay given that everybody else was affected by the pandemic. I went into the exhibits to construct my identify and the tactic has paid off,” he said.
Success
His profession began taking form in early 2021 and he has since taken the business by storm dethroning veteran mugithi artist Samidoh. The 24 yr outdated is now a extremely wanted one-man guitarist in Nairobi and the Mount Kenya area. His music has grow to be a standard characteristic in bars and matatus. He has launched each gospel and secular hits that are accessible in audio and audio-visual codecs. Throughout an interview with Nation, Waithaka defined that he’s now booked three months upfront.
“It’s God…I don’t take into account myself higher than anybody else. I’m not in competitors however I hit the chords and the mic decided to be higher by each daybreak. The laborious work is paying off since I’m booked three months upfront,” he defined.
Waithaka nonetheless clarified that he has no blood in the direction of Samidoh and he acknowledges him for the trail he created for younger mugithi artists.
“I may be gaining enormous reputation right here in Mt Kenya area however Samidoh performs even overseas. I’m blissful that I’m now handled as the brand new king right here at residence…however I’m taking part in catch-up to Samidoh,” he said.
Samidoh’s Ideas
Whereas wa Jane is making grassroots strikes and changing into much more in style by the day, Samidoh instructed Nation that he acknowledges him as a gifted musician with a vibrant future forward of him.
“I assist him…We discovered nice names within the business, we had our time, we’re not everlasting and others will hold rising. This can be a area of quick altering fortunes. This time you’re up and this different time you’re down. It’s all within the recreation. Knowledge is to money in on the wonderful second and get fortitude to deal with the waning development. We’re all doing wonderful as per prevailing circumstances,” he mentioned.
Supply: whownskenya.com
