Joseph Kamaru: Difference between revisions
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Kamaru was from [[Kangema]], [[Muranga District]].<ref name="memoirs"/> In 1957 he moved to Nairobi where he got a cleaning job.<ref name="memoirs"/> He started pursuing music in 1965.<ref name="memoirs">Daily Nation, Lifestyle Magazine, April 18, 2009: [http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/lifestyle/-/1214/561406/-/8tvln0z/-/index.html The memoirs of a musical maverick]</ref> |
Kamaru was from [[Kangema]], [[Muranga District]].<ref name="memoirs"/> In 1957 he moved to Nairobi where he got a cleaning job.<ref name="memoirs"/> His first formal job was working as a house-help and a nanny, earning enough money to purchase his first guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001297776/popular-kikuyu-musician-joseph-kamaru-dies-at-mp-shah-hospital|title=Popular Kikuyu musician Joseph Kamaru dies at MP Shah Hospital|publisher=The Standard Media|accessdate=4 October 2018}}</ref> He started pursuing music in 1965.<ref name="memoirs">Daily Nation, Lifestyle Magazine, April 18, 2009: [http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/lifestyle/-/1214/561406/-/8tvln0z/-/index.html The memoirs of a musical maverick]</ref> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Revision as of 21:44, 3 October 2018
Joseph Kamaru | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1939 Kangema, Kenya |
| Died | 3 October 2018 (aged 79) Nairobi, Kenya |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, political activist |
| Years active | 1965 – 2018 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Benga, gospel |
| Instruments | Vocal, guitar |
Joseph Kamaru (1939 – 3 October 2018) was a Kenyan Benga and gospel musician and political activist. He was a leading Kikuyu musician,[1] who has sold about half a million records.[2] He was notable for his politically motivated songs either praising or criticising the government.
He was known for his friendship with President Jomo Kenyatta, but after writing a song condemning the murder of Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, the ceased to be close. He also wrote songs praising President Daniel arap Moi.
Early life
Kamaru was from Kangema, Muranga District.[3] In 1957 he moved to Nairobi where he got a cleaning job.[3] His first formal job was working as a house-help and a nanny, earning enough money to purchase his first guitar.[4] He started pursuing music in 1965.[3]
Career
Kamaru made his first breakthrough in 1967 with Celina.[1] The height of his musical career was between 1975-1985. In the late 1980s he was the first Kenyan artist to play at the Carnivore Restaurant, then only hosting foreign artists. According to Martin Dunford, the owner of the restaurant, Kamaru's vibrant performance opened doors for other Kenyan artist to perform at the venue.[3]
His popular songs include "muhiki wa mikosi" and "muti uyu mukuona" among others.[5]
Many of his songs were political, either praising or criticising the government.[6] Initially he had a good relationships with president Jomo Kenyatta, but after writing a song condemning the murder of Josiah Mwangi Kariuki in 1975 Kamaru fell out with him. After Kenyatta died, the next 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. But the President was not pleased with Kamaru's support for multiparty democracy in the late 1980s.[3]
In 1993 he turned from secular music to gospel music and disbanded his previous group, the Kamaru Supersounds.[7] The change saw a plunge in his record sales.[3]
Kamaru was once the chairman of the Kenya Association of Phonographic Industries (KAPI), and owned a church ministry in Nairobi.[8] He also ran two record stores in Nairobi.[9] In addition, Kamaru recorded more than 2000 songs since his debut. By the time of his death, he was still enigmatic in music industry for he could sing, dance and somersault so its claimed. Kamaru remained to be a great Kenyan legend in the field of entertainment.
Death
Kamaru died on October 3, 2018 at the age of 79 at a hospital in Nairobi from complications of Parkinson's disease.[10]
References
- ^ a b Rough Guide to the World Music
- ^ Eastafricanmusic.com: The Music Business in Kenya
- ^ a b c d e f Daily Nation, Lifestyle Magazine, April 18, 2009: The memoirs of a musical maverick
- ^ "Popular Kikuyu musician Joseph Kamaru dies at MP Shah Hospital". The Standard Media. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "From Darkness to Light the Untold Journey of Gikuyu Musical Legend Joseph Kamaru". SDE.co.ke. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ Kimani Njogu & Hervé Maupeu (2007): Songs and Politics in Eastern Africa
- ^ Allmusic profile
- ^ Daily Nation, July 7, 2006: My Take - Joseph Kamaru
- ^ East African, January 27, 2003: "Kenyan Music Stays 'Unbwogable' in Hard Times". Archived from the original on February 27, 2003. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Gachane, Ndung'u. "Musician Joseph Kamaru, 79, dies at MP Shah Hospital". Daily Nation. Retrieved 3 October 2018.