fbpx
Home » Mulembe One » Luhya Music Reviews

Luhya Music Reviews

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.

senje in red upon a dark background

Who is senje? Beyond Sauti Sol’s viral hit song into the liberal and strict meaning of senge in Luhya culture

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 …

Who is senje? Beyond Sauti Sol’s viral hit song into the liberal and strict meaning of senge in Luhya culture Read More »

image depicting people in traditional atrire during handing over ceremony that is part of Bukusu marriage customs

Mbe Omukhasi, Steve Kay’s Crossover Infectious Hit Refreshes The Kenyan Wedding Song Scene

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 …

Mbe Omukhasi, Steve Kay’s Crossover Infectious Hit Refreshes The Kenyan Wedding Song Scene Read More »

poster of lion symbolizing music video to kutalang'i

Unpacking the Music Video to Kutalang’i : Behind the Allegory of Wanjala Okumu’s Hit

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 …

Unpacking the Music Video to Kutalang’i : Behind the Allegory of Wanjala Okumu’s Hit Read More »

Amos Barasa in Bindu Bichenjanga video by a waterfall strumming litungu and gesturing foward

Bindu Bichenjaga by Amos Barasa: The making of a hit! Video, the politics, hidden symbolism & powerful message

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 …

Bindu Bichenjaga by Amos Barasa: The making of a hit! Video, the politics, hidden symbolism & powerful message Read More »

poster of lion street art with the word kutalang'i across the center

Kutalang’i By Wanjala wa Mandari & The Untold Story of Micheal Kijana Wamalwa & Musikari Kombo

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 …

Kutalang’i By Wanjala wa Mandari & The Untold Story of Micheal Kijana Wamalwa & Musikari Kombo Read More »