What would you say is Ken Wa Maria’s Contribution to Kamba Music?

Well, in my view, Ken wa Maria (WaNzanze mweene) has made a huge contribution to Kamba music, right from the early 2000s (specifically from 2003 todate 2020). In fact, it may be possible to divide Kamba music into two eras: the pre-Ken Wa Maria era and the Post-Ken Wa Maria era. I think Ken wa Maria’s biggest contribution has been in terms of introducing a bit of ‘swag’ into Kamba music, pushing for Kamba music to pay better and nurturing many artists.

It is important to remember that Ken wa Maria was among the first Kamba artists in the modern era to shoot VCDs that were very well received. He also pushed the boundaries a bit, in terms of what could be said and what couldn’t be said in Kamba music. Of course, other artists who have come after him have pushed the boundaries even further… but Wa Maria gave them the impetus. You can’t take that away from him. And some of the songs he composed have become Kamba classics, including Undu Niilye, Kya Manyanya we soma, Niwangunie Kivelenge, Walioomuua Lucky Dube, Fundamentals, Kalonzo Ika Nesa... among hundreds others. A song like Undu Niilye is played in almost all Kamba live band performances.

It is during the early years of Yatta Boys Band (which later changed to Yatta Orchestra International) that the idea of paying Kamba bands decent sums of money for performances was introduced. Previously, Kamba live band performances were ‘kamandiko’ affairs – with very little money in it for the artists. Today, it is not uncommon for a Kamba band to be paid 100,000 shillings ($1,000) or a figure in that range for a performance – all thanks to the revolution that was started by people like Ken wa Maria. It is also important to understand that even on the recording side, it is artists like Ken wa Maria who began the whole idea of artists producing their own works. Previously, Kamba artists were badly exploited by RiverRoad producers.

And in terms of nurturing artists, it is worth remembering that Kamba music stars like Kativui (Ben Mbatha) and Maima (Alphonse Kioko) passed through Ken wa Maria’s Yatta Boys Band. Ken wa Maria may have pushed them too hard, but there is no denying that the exposure and self-discipline lessons he gave them through Yatta was instrumental in their formation. And there is no knowing if, for sure, Kativui or Maima would be where they are had they not first had the experience of working in Ken wa Maria’s Yatta -- for better or for worse.