Odi Pop
Odi Pop is a Kenyan music style which involves localized Hip Hop and draws influences from Reggae and Dancehall music to build on an African Rhythm base performed in sing-along rap in heavy Kiswahili/Sheng language.[1]
The term was coined in 2019 by musician and music scholar Dan Aceda, who is popular for Benga music. The genre is sometimes refereed to as Genge-tone, borrowing two genres, namely; Genge, a genre that was prominent in Kenya in the 2000's and Reggaeton music.[2]
Origin
In October 2016, rapper Collo from music group Kleptomaniax released 'Bazokizo' featuring Bruz Newton which is considered a turning point for Odi Pop. [3] The viral nature of the song and numerous airplay brought Odi pop to mainstream media and opened the door for other Odi pop musicians including Timeless Noel and Jabidii.[4] The style has emerged from the Nairobi area mainly in the Eastlands region including Kayole, Dandora, Umoja, Dagoretti, and Rongai.
In the early 1990's and 2000's, the Kenyan government and church had massive control over what was aired as there was only one state controlled broadcaster.[5]The government clamped down on several secular artists who were considered enemies of state, resulting in the rise of Kenyan gospel music as the style was under an acceptable theme.[6]
Odi pop earliest roots can be traced back to early 2000 Kenyan gospel music which was faintly related to the church.[7] The music at the time was heavily driven by "message" and "meaning" which resulted in demand for feel good music. Gospel Superstars like Rufftone and Daddy Owen are considered pioneers in feel good Christian pop music that broke away from the traditional worship style to music that had more rhythm and was more relatable to the youth.[8]
In 2002, Gidi Gidi Maji Maji released 'Unbwogable' which was adopted by Kenyan politician and future President, Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga as the official campaign 2002 election campaign sound track. Ogopa DeeJays, a Kenyan record from the late 1990's was rising to prominence during this period developing music stars like E-sir, K- Rupt, Nameless, Amani and others. Ogopa Deejays would become one of the most influential record labels in Kenya with their sound, Boomba Music (sometimes refereed to as Kapuka).
At the same time, a wave of music called Genge was been popularized by hip hop artist Jua Cali and Nonini from Calif Records. The term Genge was coined by their producer at Calif Records producer, Clemo.[9][10] A paper titled The Poetics of Genge: Jua Cali's Niimbe was presented at the 26th annual MELUS conference and 6th conference of the United States Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (USACLALS), University of Santa Clara, California. [11]
References
- ^ Aceda, Dan (2019-09-12). "DAN ACEDA - How Kenyan Gospel Pop Birthed the Odi-Pop Craze | The Elephant". Retrieved 2019-09-14.
- ^ "Genge Music | African Music Genres". Retrieved 2019-09-14.
- ^ Nzyoka, Mumbua Nzula (2019-07-08). "Odi pop is here to stay just ask Koroga". KBC | Kenya's Watching. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
- ^ "ONE ON ONE: Timeless Noel". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
- ^ "Kenya Special Musical History". The Guardian.
- ^ "The politics of music in Africa". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
- ^ Aceda, Dan (2019-09-12). "DAN ACEDA - How Kenyan Gospel Pop Birthed the Odi-Pop Craze | The Elephant". Retrieved 2019-09-14.
- ^ "Rufftone Biography, Songs, Award, Family, Wife and Children". InformationCradle. 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
- ^ "Genge Music | African Music Genres". Retrieved 2019-09-14.
- ^ Adol, Stephen. "When Kapuka and Genge gave Kenyan music true identity". UREPORT-CITIZEN JOURNALISM. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
- ^ Wanjala, Alex Nelungo (2012). "The Poetics of Genge: Jua Cali's Niimbie. A paper presented at the 26th annual MELUS conference and 6th conference of the United States Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (USACLALS), University of Santa Clara, California, United". profiles.uonbi.ac.ke. Retrieved 2019-09-14.