Makadem the Ohangla man to perform in Paris

When an ebullient Makadem takes to the stage, he begins his performance with the story of his alter ego, the Ohangla Man, who was used to eating at his neighbours’, drinking free beer and now flies off to America, still hoping to live off other people’s sweat.

Within three months, his visa expires and he finds himself cold and lonely and is deported back home where the ‘poor fellow has practically nothing to return to.’

It is the way Makadem wittily twists this tale into music, in a pidgin of English, Kiswahili and Luo that makes this singer, songwriter and guitarist so captivating to watch.

“I use my lyrics, not just to make people laugh, but also to address the class struggles that exist in our society,” he says.

It has become trendy for writers to label him Kenya’s answer to the late Fela Kuti, the Afro beat pioneer and social commentator, but Makadem will be the first to admit that the iconic Nigerian is beyond compare.

Fela’s son

Incidentally, last year, while on tour in Denmark, he performed as an opening act for Fela’s son Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, the band comprising the same musicians who played with the late musician.

“Seun said to me, ‘Brother you good’” recalls Makadem, who also reveals that there was an agreement that the two musicians would perform together again this year.

It is hard to imagine that about 10 years ago, a dreadlocked dancehall singer fresh from Mombasa called Mr Lolova was doing the rounds at recording studios and radio stations in Nairobi trying to make himself known.

It was quite easy then to dismiss the former tour guide as just another wannabe imitating the Jamaican swagger with little ‘real music’ to show for it.

Potential

By there was an irresistible quality about the man’s presence and lyrical ability and some of those who met him then saw the huge potential; what he needed was some musical direction.

Thanks to a meeting with respected producer Tabu Osusa, Lolova transformed into Makadem and it was not just the name that changed.

Out went the reggae and dancehall and in its place came what the musician has labeled Anglo-Ohangla, an energetic hybrid of traditional Luo music with benga and other modern African rhythms.

Transformation

The effect was instant, as Makadem became a finalist during the 2005 Spotlight on Kenyan music competition; the same project that has since launched the careers of groups like Sauti Sol, Mutinda and Juma Tutu.

This early success marked the real start of the transformation for the former student of Jamhuri High School in Nairobi, whose earlier performance had been playing for tourists on the beaches of Mombasa.

His musical adventurism has not been without controversy.

Whenever he is on stage, across the country, the crowds love it when he performs a rendition of popular Mugithi song “Tiga Kumute,” twisted in his trademark humorous style.

“I decided to rework this song using English and Luo lyrics to quell ethnic tensions but it seems one musician didn’t like my idea,” he says.

He was threatened with a lawsuit by the singer J.B. Maina, who claims to be the original author of the song, if he didn’t stop performing it at concerts.

Makadem has ignored these threats and intends to release what he calls “Mugithi kona kona” in his next album
The Ohanglaman, a name borrowed from the title of his 2007 album, is currently in France attending a residency at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris.

For the next three months, he will have the opportunity to hone his artistic skills and work with experienced hands like Congolese guitarist Syran Mbenza and Angolan musician Lulendo Mvulu, a master of the likembe (thumb piano).

It was a hectic few weeks of gigs for the artiste before he left the country.

It started with an electrifying performance at the now popular Thursday Night Live At The Choices Club in Nairobi.

His next stop was at last month’s Kinanda Festival, before hosting a farewell concert at the Safaricom Centre.

Mexico

Makadem is no stranger to the international stage as he has received quite some exposure on the world music circuit in the last few years.

Last year, he performed at festivals and concerts in Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Canada alongside stars like Baaba Maal of Senegal and Mahotella Queens from South Africa.

As it is, he is already looking beyond his sojourn in France: “My manager has just sealed a deal for a tour of Mexico later in the year and I am very thrilled about that.

However, I remain focused on gaining all the experience I can during my time in Paris,” he says.