Product Code Database
Joseph Kamaru (1939 – 3 October 2018) was a Kenyan Benga music and gospel musician and political activist. He was an icon, a hero, and a leading Kikuyu people musician,
who has sold about half a million records.Eastafricanmusic.com: The Music Business in Kenya He was notable for his politically motivated songs either praising or criticising the government. His music covered the teachings of life, promiscuity and sexual harassment in Kenyan politics and social culture.He was known for his friendship with President Jomo Kenyatta, but after writing a song condemning the murder of JM Kariuki, they ceased to be close. He also wrote songs praising President Daniel arap Moi.
Many of Kamaru's songs were political, either praising or criticising the government.Kimani Njogu & Hervé Maupeu (2007): Songs and Politics in Eastern Africa Initially he had a good relationship with president Jomo Kenyatta, but after Kamaru wrote a song in 1975 condemning the murder of Josiah Mwangi Kariuki he fell out with him. After Kenyatta's death, the succeeding president, Daniel arap Moi, was close to the artist. In 1980, Kamaru toured Japan as a part of President Moi's entourage. After the visit he composed Safari ya Japan praising the president. Moi grew displeased with Kamaru's support for multiparty democracy in the late 1980s.
Kamaru received significant support from Voice of Kenya radio presenter Job Isaac Mwamto, who embraced the rise of Kenyan music, by presenting Kamaru's music to his radio stations. He was often called "Kenya's Jim Reeves". He recorded nearly 2,000 songs addressing morality and offering life teachings. The songs launched his status as a Kikuyu music legend and impacted ’ music scene with classic hits such as "Gathoni" and "Charia Ungi". His popular songs include "muhiki wa mikosi" and "muti uyu mukuona" among others.
In the 1990s, Kamaru announced that he had been "born again" and would no longer perform the secular music on which he had built his career.He would however make several secular performances years later. In 1993, he turned to gospel music and disbanded his previous group, the Kamaru Supersounds. The change saw a plunge in his record sales. Kamaru was once the chairman of the Kenya Association of Phonographic Industries (KAPI), and owned a church ministry in Nairobi.Daily Nation, 7 July 2006: My Take - Joseph Kamaru He also ran two record stores in Nairobi.East African, 27 January 2003: Kamaru expressed interest in building a Kikuyu cultural home on one of his many farms in Murang’a to safeguard and protect the Kikuyu culture, though this was not accomplished as he died in October 2018.
Kamaru died on 3 October 2018 at the age of 79 at a hospital in Nairobi from complications of Parkinson's disease. He was survived by 2 siblings, 1 daughter and 3 sons. His grandson, also named Joseph Kamaru, is an ambient music musician and sound artist who goes by the artistic name KMRU and is based in Berlin.
|
|
