In Kenya, ‘Anguka Nayo’ becomes protest song

Posted on August 21, 2024

Lecture: 2 minutes.

‘We knew it would be a hit’: If Kenyan rap group Wadagliz expected to see their song “Anguka Nayo” become a hit, they never imagined it would become the anthem for the protests that have rocked the country in recent weeks.

Previous success Abantone

Their catchy chorus, bass line and intoxicating rhythm resonated throughout the parade. A movement born in early June Kenyan youths protest against proposed tax hikes in 2024-25 budget become A challenge from the president William Ruto More prevalent is poor governance and corruption in the country.

Allan “Manazz” Mojo and Tony “Kantel” Otieno created the song about a year ago using a sample of The song “Kufa Juu” was a success in arbantone, a popular music style in the country. The song’s title means “follow the movement” but literally means “dance with it,” without the tone of protest. Initially, “it was a hit of club,” said Cantel, who wore rings on her fingers and silver “sparkles” (dental jewelry) on her teeth.

read: In Kenya, Generation Z opposes new taxes

But in their Nairobi studio, the 22-year-old rappers from the working-class neighbourhood of Eastleigh are not shying away from this unexpected success on the streets. wait Since July 3, it has been viewed more than 5 million times on YouTube.

“Everyone has his own way of making his own song,” Manaz said, with sunglasses on his nose, adding: “For some, it’s an evening song; Others, It’s a protest song.”

Social Media Challenge

In the festive atmosphere of the first demonstration, young people from “Gen Z” (those born after 1991) played the song on portable speakers and repeated the dance – their arms swing Move forward while leaning toward the ground.

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The title and the dance later became a challenge on social networks, embodying the joyous first weeks of protest, to which police responded with tear gas. of Rubber bullets and sometimes live ammunition. The song has also become the soundtrack to nearly 500,000 TikTok posts, most of which were shot during the protests.

From the song Why Tom? » George Ramogi mourns his death man Music often adds to life when politician Tom Mboya listens to Eric Wainaina’s hit anti-corruption song “Nchi ya kitu Kidogo” (“The Land of Small Things”) used during his 2001 presidential campaign policy Kenyan.

(AFP report)