Mulembe One is the most trusted voice in Luhya music. We provide contextual and comprehensive Luhya music reviews and biographies of Luhya musicians. Get recommendations for new Luhya music to listen to, stream or own.
Growing up Luhya, there were fewer things more blasphemous than calling your senje, aunt. Worse, auntie. But who is senge or senje anyway? Highlights According to Sauti Sol’s senje is the ‘random aunt who everyone relates to’. Growing up Luhya, senje is how you and your paternal aunt would call each other. Strictly speaking senje … Read more
It is easy to imagine a rap battle. But a wedding song battle? Move over Kayamba Roots. Step up Steve Kay. To Kayamba Roots, nothing personal. Because as far as made-for-radio-and-dance-floor Kenyan wedding songs go, not even Jua Kali Band’s “My Dear’ can hold a candle to ‘Mbe Omukhasi’. And to the all time Luhya … Read more
If you thought “Mbe Omukhasi” was a one off punt, “Khalinjola” screams: this is it! This is Steve Kay. At one time, that was just a name lost among the bevy of young Bukusu musicians seeking to take over Bukusu folk music. Today, it’s a brand that’s pushing the boundaries of Bukusu and Luhya music. … Read more
The politics — the allegory — of this libukusu folk hit by Wanjala Okumu can never be debunked without partaking of this ritual. For the audience to flay through the layers of political speak in this classic, they are compelled to get intimate with its music video in all its glory — low-budget clip or … Read more
Bindu Bichenjanga by Amos Barasa is contemporary Bukusu pop music. Barasa is a young man, probably not yet thirty, who represents a breed of new age Kenyan musicians comfortable singing in vernacular. He’s the first among equals, of hopefully many to come, talented generation of Luhya entertainers. Budding maestros who similar to their contemporarraries in … Read more
The stimulating, emotional folk song “Kutalang’i” has an intro that harps on the familiar with the characteristic Bukusu folk music music staccato rhythm of Litungu and Chisasi in uncomfortable harmony. Kutalang`i is Lubukusu for the Lion King. Lions are symbols of strength and courage and have been celebrated throughout history for these traits. From the … Read more
