RAFIQI- SOUTH AFRICAN RHYTHMS, VOCALS AND KENYAN RHYMES SPUN INTO GOOD MUSIC
Kuchio Asonga
As a music aficionado, I am always on the lookout for music that will satiate my need for catchy tunes. I recently came across the music of a trio called Rafiqi (meaning friend in Kiswahili but spelt, Rafiki) whose members are Ezeek, Jothee and Makhosa Man.
Ezeek and Jothee are Kenyans, while Makhosa Man is Namibian. Their combined efforts on track have me curious as to why they have been under the radar for so long.
Since the early 2000s, Rafiqi has released a number of songs that garnered a lot of attention in Southern Africa and gained them a firm fan based in Namibia. However, in Eastern Africa, they are relatively unknown. Here is a little titbit for your information, Rafiqi were Kora Award nominees in 2002.
As I gave their music an initial spin what struck me, about most of their songs was the quality of the production. While most contemporary groups favour distinctly urban and imported sounds, Rafiqi chooses more Afrocentric soundscapes with themes that embrace African culture and concepts from the Ubuntu philosophy.
In place of canned black American like pseudo-aggression, Rafiqi has an ethos that combines Afro-pop sensibilities in line with Southern Africans star of yesteryears, sprinkles of conscious hip-hop and heavy doses of rhythms that will make want to do the famous South African gumboot dance (Isicathulo).
“Kokanakoya” is the first song by Rafiqi I had the privilege of listening to. The immediate stand out on this track is the guitar that creates a feel of celebration and warmth. The pulsating drums make you want to get on your feet and do a jig. There is some chanting in the background adding to the African flavor and the background vocals make the track have a fuller impression and ground it in a sense of celebration. The singing on the song is really good and the rappers on it deliver lyrics in English and Kiswahili that add to the celebratory mood the beat-maker and the vocalists have beautifully created. Just in case, it seems I am heaping praise on this song, give it a listen and let me know what you thoughts are in the comments section.
In my mind’s eye, I can’t help but imagine a group of people dancing to this song as meat roasts on the grill and cold frothy beverages are passed around. At about the 3:50 mark the song hits the climax and you feel a need to really raise some dust if you had been holding anything back. This is a quintessential Afro-pop party song that would be at home on any world music Deejay’s party music set and also in clubs too.
The second song I heard from Rafiqi is “Big City”. This song captures warmth similar to “Kokanakaya” with another excellent rendition of guitar rhythms. I strongly feel the glue that gives Rafiqi‘s sound its integrity and makes them refreshing to listen to is the use of African instrumentation and songwriting that embraces the structure of folk Africa music as exemplified on this track.
The story telling on Big city and the images of urban life they conjure up are powerful too. The narrative has been told before but not with such a rich blend of textures. If this were purely a hip-hop song it would predictably be hardcore and grim, but Rafiqi’s rendition of urban struggles is honest minus any over the top posturing. Give “Big city” a listen and let me know what you impressions are in the comment section.
I am an arts, culture and entertainment enthusiast with a B.A. in Communications. I write about what I love and enjoy twisting words to my whim.
