When growing up, our parents believed that the Kenyan music we listened to in the mid-2000s should be ‘clean’ music since they knew that they had raised us in the most ‘Christian way’ possible.
However, musicians of that era should thank their ‘gods’ because Ezekiel Mutua,the man who has now been known as the ‘moral cop’ was nowhere.
These are the songs and musicians that made parents cringe and sneer in disgust and would have earned a ban from Mutua:
Wee Kamu-Nonini:
Nonini shocked the ‘holy -joes’ with his sexual innuendos. He’s the artiste that received the most backlash for his dirty lyrics. Wee Kamu drew fire for peppering lyrics with distasteful immoral phrases. However, that was only an obstacle that never slowed him down. Our parents hated him and so did out pastors.
Funny thing is that he was never slapped with a serious ban anywhere.
Manyake – Circuit and Joel:
‘Manyake’ was one of Kenya’s most-hummed song in late 2000s. Initially, the composers had called it ‘Juala’ since its purpose was to spread the message of condom use. But we all renamed it Manyake-all sizes, kids everywhere were jamming along while parents watched helplessly with undisguised grimaces.
Kamata Dame – Jua cali and Pilipili:
The genge king laid down a string of dirty lyrics coated with lurid details. He has since toned down his raw content in recent years.
Naskia Utam – Bobby Mapesa and VBO
Bobby Mapesa has relied on raunchy lyrics to keep himself relevant and in a way, he has managed to do so. In all his tracks, those ‘unholy’ little lines are the ones that stick to our heads.
John-Wakimbizi:
We all sang along despite knowing how dirty the hidden meanings Wakimbizi gave the story of ladies and their love for ‘John’ and how that ‘John’ chap still delivers despite having one eye.
Dinya-STL and Collo:
This song would have made Ezekiel Mutua resign. Here is the video:
Vaseline-Walanguzi:
Raunchy, too raunchy to transcribe, have a listen below: