12 Years on, K-rupt's influence looms large

Many things are worth remembering about the year 2003. It was filled with equal doses of tragedy and triumph for Kenya.

In January, just weeks after then President Mwai Kibaki assumed office, a fatal plane crash claimed the life of the newly appointed Labour minister, Mr Ahmad Mohammed Khalif. There were a number of casualties.

Despite this gloomy start to the year, the country was upbeat again with a surprise International Cricket Council World Cup victory over Sri Lanka in the group stage of the tournament that Kenya co-hosted with Zimbabwe and South Africa. It was Steve Tikolo’s outstanding performance in the competition that earned him celebrity status despite Kenya’s eventual loss to India in the semi-finals.

Not unlike today’s El-Nino havoc, floods claimed dozens of lives and displaced thousands in May, even as the country mourned the death of Kapuka founding father E-Sir, who passed away in March. Wicky Mosh followed him to the hereafter in April.

Paul Tergat’s record setting Berlin marathon performance set the perfect stage for Martin Lel’s victory at his New York Marathon debut, while Margaret Okayo set a new women’s record in the event.

November also proved a gloomy month for the nascent showbiz fraternity, with the loss of yet another budding star to a trigger happy gunman’s nozzle. Carlton Williams Bongo Juma, or K-Rupt as he was known to the young community of Kapuka fans, was only 24 and riding a wave of fame when he died on this exact day 12 years ago.

YOUNG TALENTS

“I had just landed from India and was feeling unwell. I slept on his shoulder all the way to Nanyuki,” recalls veteran musician Nameless of the last public appearance he and K-Rupt shared. “After the afternoon performance, he told me he would be performing alongside Wahu in Nakuru. I joked about how he was on fire with performances everywhere. I told him I was heading back to Nairobi and would miss his shoulder. That was the last time I spoke to K-Rupt.”

The rapper did not make it to Nakuru that afternoon.

Enroute to the show, the matatu he was riding was hijacked by a gang of thugs who shot him at point blank range after a brief confrontation. He was the only fatality. Just like that — one of the brightest stars in Kenya’s sprouting showbiz scene was dimmed permanently.

“It was especially disturbing for me, coming just months after E-Sir’s tragic death,” says Big Pin. “I was very young at the time and I had never lost anyone close in my life, yet here I was mourning two people who I was quite attached to and shared so much with.”

At the time of his death, K-Rupt was part of a small clique of self-motivated youngsters under the Ogopa Deejay’s stable who had taken the entertainment scene by storm. Together with E-Sir, Big Pin, Wicky Mosh, Deux Vultures, The Longombas, Amani, Tatu and Kleptomaniacs, among others, they led a revolution that transformed Kenya’s popular music culture through their daring creativity and relentless determination.

K-Rupt first appeared on the map with Changamsha, which went largely unnoticed, as was the case with most urban music ventures then. Ogopa’s entry, however, proved a game-changer as the duo of Francis and Lucas Bikedo brought an unprecedented flair to Kenya’s mainstream music. It was under Ogopa’s skilful tutelage that the K-Rupt we remember truly premiered with his second release, Tukawake, a feel good track that showcased his musical diversity and earned him massive street cred.

“I was among the first to hear Tukawake when K-Rupt played it for us in the studio,” reminisces Collins ‘Collo’ Majale. “I also accompanied him to Carnivore when he first performed it at the Miss Malaika pageant. He was way ahead of his time.”

Indeed, while many artistes of that era mainly pursued individual interests with label and artiste beefs dominating gossip magazine headlines, the charismatic K-Rupt not only encouraged young artistes but also preached unity by example. Chacha, his collabo with then up-and-coming rapper Syd, was a runaway success, as was Kweli, in which he was featured by budding songstress Waridi.

“When E-Sir and I came up with the chorus for Bamba, we reached out to him and, within two hours, we had all recorded our verses, with his in fact being better than ours,” recalls a nostalgic Big Pin. “When the song came out, it was a certified anthem.”

During the relatively short time he was in the industry, K-Rupt was famous for churning out hits, with virtually every song he touched finding its way to the top of the handful radio charts that featured what was then considered alternative Kenyan music.

“It was very difficult to get airplay back then,” explains DJ Pinye. “Audios came first; then depending on how the song was received, maybe an artiste would do a video to push it. Artistes relied on DJs to play their music on radio or in clubs.”

Somewhere along the line, perhaps in an attempt to overcome some of the challenges he faced in his career, K-Rupt landed a job as a radio host on Nation FM. The move inadvertently allowed him direct access to his audience and helped grow his nationwide fan base.

INSPIRATION LIVES ON

In the intro to his last official release, Dada Njoo, K-Rupt chants in his signature style; Toka kambi ya Ogopa, elfu mbili na nne (from the Ogopa stable, 2004). Sadly, he never made it to 2004. But his ambitious intentions and focus remain evident in the slick and foresighted moves he left in motion.

His brother, Hilton “The Herbalist” Mwakio was perhaps most familiar with this side of him. “He founded Herbal Records with a vision to build his musical identity through an independent production house,” says the 33-year-old.

The outfit, which Hilton runs with fellow producer Maich Blaq, co-developed Wyre’s recently released album, Lion. “If he were alive today, I would be releasing his albums.”

With such a decorated resume, one wonders what would have become of the pioneer pop star had he lived to witness the fulfilment of his dreams. DJ Pinye figures he would “still be performing and very relevant” since “the music hasn’t changed much”.

But according to Big Pin, “he would be a hugely successful manager, if not a label owner. He enjoyed mentoring people, like he did with his brother and ourselves, and he had the advantage of maturity since he was slightly older than us.”

In 2015, 12 years after his death, K-Rupt’s legacy lives on through his infectious music and unbounded spirit.

Even in death, he remains an inspiration and a challenge to present generations of both up-and-coming and established entertainers. Long live the local music industry!