About

The Kenyan Music Scene.

Music in Kenya has taken a wild rollercoaster ride through the last 20 years or so. From the years of Live bands in almost all the clubs in Kenya to the disco years. Record sales thrived in the form of vinyl; producers were the likes of Oluoch Kanindo, Mr. Colmore etc. We had CBS and Polygram Studios etc.

Bands in Nairobi were the likes of African Heritage, Boomerang, EarthQuake, Tisisat, Black Savage, and Somajeko etc. While the Coast with a more organized outfit because of the hotel industry had the likes of Safari Sounds, Roots, Mushrooms, Rafikis, Generations, Mandingo etc And of course hundred and hundreds of vernacular bands.

Kenya by way of the lakeside was also the pioneer of Benga music, which became an inspiration of many a Congolese bands like Kiam. Kamale, Lipua lipua etc. Some of them made it here like Les Kinois, Pitchens Super Mazembe, Mangelepa, Les Nois, Baba Gaston etc. In the mid eighty’s saw a new breed of digital producers like Bruce Odhiambo.  Then in the Ninety’s Ted Josiah, Mushrooms, Samawati etc.

Towards the end of the 90’s an influx of young and versatile producers emerged led by the likes of Ogopa DJ’s, Homeboyz, Calif Records, Mandugu Digital etc. This era also introduced a new breed of MIDI produced artists, changing the Kenyan Dance Scene forever.

As always in a growing industry, there are always hitches and setbacks; maybe complaints. Lots of producers and Artists don’t get their music on the Radio, mainly due to lack of proper AR departments or just Ignorant or non adventurous Program Controllers who just love the status quo and don’t want try new things as in the case of a majority of Marketing Managers in Kenya.

In the quest by KAMP and MCSK to remunerate artists from their works; the need for monitoring airplay arises where challenges arise of good Music that don’t attract airplay. Hence the need of the JCLEFF website where music of the unknown and by the unknown is featured. Also Studios, producers and different artists get to showcase their works. It’s a place where if one is also looking for a type of ART, then its HOME.

Feel free to contact us with any queries and requests.