<p>If a brilliant African sunset could be bottled up in a song, it would probably sound like <span class="italic">Kothbiro</span>, although the word itself means ‘rain is coming’. Sung in <span class="italic">Dholuo</span>, the language of the Luo people in Western Kenya, <span class="italic">Kothbiro</span> is, arguably, legendary Kenyan musician Ayub Ogada’s most famous output. This month is the veteran singer’s first death anniversary and is as good a time as any to discover him and his genius. Never without <span class="italic">nyatiti</span> — his signature eight-string traditional instrument — Ayub Ogada’s genius lay in his ability to smoothly re-imagine traditional tunes and give them a shape and form that made them palatable to every kind of ear world over. Little wonder then that <span class="italic">Kothbiro</span> has been featured in the movie ‘The Constant Gardener’ as well as at the 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony. </p>.<p>In fact, American rapper Kanye West credited Ogada as one of the influences/co-composers for his song ‘Yikes’. This declaration, by the way, catapulted the unassuming Ogada to international fame. However, for those who have heard some of his brilliant compositions such as <span class="italic">Obeiro</span> and <span class="italic">Dicholo</span>, it is evident that Ogada deserved every bit of adulation and fame he got and more, especially because of the Kenyan’s incredible journey, which is no less a story by itself. The musician, passionate to make something out of his life, just took off to London in 1986 armed with nothing more than his precious <span class="italic">nyatiti</span>. While he was busking in the Tube and on London streets, he was noticed and later invited to play at Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD festival in Cornwall. A 10-minute opportunity stretched to a whole set and Ogada never looked back. In 1993, he recorded his first album <span class="italic">En Mana Kuoyo</span> (Just Sand) at Gabriel’s Real World studios and later toured extensively with the famed producer. </p>.<p>Most of his work is available free on YouTube. Needless to say, go listen. </p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Play By Ear</span></strong> <em><span class="italic">will showcase a potential earworm every week for you, the discerning listener, who is on the hunt for some musical serendipity and is keen to explore genres beyond pop and Bollywood.</span></em></p>
<p>If a brilliant African sunset could be bottled up in a song, it would probably sound like <span class="italic">Kothbiro</span>, although the word itself means ‘rain is coming’. Sung in <span class="italic">Dholuo</span>, the language of the Luo people in Western Kenya, <span class="italic">Kothbiro</span> is, arguably, legendary Kenyan musician Ayub Ogada’s most famous output. This month is the veteran singer’s first death anniversary and is as good a time as any to discover him and his genius. Never without <span class="italic">nyatiti</span> — his signature eight-string traditional instrument — Ayub Ogada’s genius lay in his ability to smoothly re-imagine traditional tunes and give them a shape and form that made them palatable to every kind of ear world over. Little wonder then that <span class="italic">Kothbiro</span> has been featured in the movie ‘The Constant Gardener’ as well as at the 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony. </p>.<p>In fact, American rapper Kanye West credited Ogada as one of the influences/co-composers for his song ‘Yikes’. This declaration, by the way, catapulted the unassuming Ogada to international fame. However, for those who have heard some of his brilliant compositions such as <span class="italic">Obeiro</span> and <span class="italic">Dicholo</span>, it is evident that Ogada deserved every bit of adulation and fame he got and more, especially because of the Kenyan’s incredible journey, which is no less a story by itself. The musician, passionate to make something out of his life, just took off to London in 1986 armed with nothing more than his precious <span class="italic">nyatiti</span>. While he was busking in the Tube and on London streets, he was noticed and later invited to play at Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD festival in Cornwall. A 10-minute opportunity stretched to a whole set and Ogada never looked back. In 1993, he recorded his first album <span class="italic">En Mana Kuoyo</span> (Just Sand) at Gabriel’s Real World studios and later toured extensively with the famed producer. </p>.<p>Most of his work is available free on YouTube. Needless to say, go listen. </p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Play By Ear</span></strong> <em><span class="italic">will showcase a potential earworm every week for you, the discerning listener, who is on the hunt for some musical serendipity and is keen to explore genres beyond pop and Bollywood.</span></em></p>