The Title Kalahari Kila Kitu or KKK should bring to mind Kalamashaka’s highly speculated Album Kalamashaka Kila Kitu that was never released but word has it that they gave their blessings to this Album. The group is called Kalahari Jeshi and it’s a full Hip Hop outfit that is if you understand the elements of Hip Hop. Kalahari Jeshi comprises of emcees, Graffiti artists and Beat-Boxers not forgetting B-Boys or break-dancers in other words. The Group’s known emcees are Moroko and Gadi Moja, these two are like the face of the group but don’t get it twisted, it’s a full army just like Ukoo Flani Mau Mau or America’s legendary group Wu- Tang Clan. The other members handling emceeing venture of the group include Droopy, Saliz, Kijana Masha, Nash(who is also a producer), Kamakazi or commonly knowns as Kama(Not to be confused with Kama of Ukoo Flani), Oderaw and Obie the Boy.
Kalahari Jeshi represents East-side part of Nairobi City no specific hood to be precise since they all rep different hoods in the area from Eastleigh to Calif(The Birth place of Genge Music). Kalahari Kila Kitu is the first Album done by the Group, it an introduction platform of their new breed of emcees to the fans but they are 2 Mixtapes deep in the rap game namely 6 + 4 and Fyam respectively. Kalahari Kila Kitu is entirely produced by Quincy except for Kalahari on Air which Gadi Moja features Nash as an emcee and produced by Nash himself. The controversial intro track Commander –in- Thieves sets the agenda for discussion in the album, tackling the local Political scene full of deceit and corruption but it’s the satirical manner in which emcee Moroko puts it in that makes the track stand out, Lines like
Ndio kwa mana napledge my loyalty to the commander – in – Thieves of Kenya/Na inchi yetu tunaipenda tuko tayari kuilinda, tuko tayari kuiiba
definitely paints the picture of our Politics and how dejected we are as citizens but we have no choice but to keep up with whatever we have and the track ends with a sampled National Anthem tune.
Songs like Cartoon Network captures Gadi Moja is a playful mood with some funny wordplay over Quincy’s well orchestrated string-like instrumentals, while Moroko comes through lyrically on Blunder with assist from Kenya’s most conscious emcee Ukoo Flani’s Kitu Sewer and one of Kenya most lyrical emcee of the recent past Abbas aka Doobiez. Easy in the ears, easy snares and the looped flute makes the beat a favorite from Quincy. 3D Dully representing his hood Eastleigh on some Kapuka like sound on Kutwaa, going at Kapuka artists while sympathizing with their fans. A fresh blood in the Hip Hop scene trying to make his mark while appreciating some of the acts who did it before him like Cannibal & Sharama. One of the crackers in the Album is Moroko’s lyrical mischief on Keys to my sweetheart, simply quantifying different kind of females she’s been down with most probably the hood females.
No Gimmicks brings out the combative style of Moroko & Gadi Moja rhymes, a warning to the puppet emcees in the game and at the same time teaching them how to get this rap thing done, the groovy sample, Soft kicks and easy snares in the beat brings out the beast in Quincy as he makes his mark in the game, more and more word-play from Moroko & Gadi Moja goes into 1st aid Kit, Another Kalahari Jeshi general Salez comes through with Bahari consciously advising fellow young people in the society to keep pushing, never give up for whatever while accounting his life and how he goes about hurdles in life. The hook actually summarizes it all
Life ni bahari tukondani tunapigana na maji tusidrown
. 3D Dully with his fast lyrical projection talks his life in Nakazana. His hustles and why he doesn’t give a damn about Kenyan Mainstream artists.
Wawawa is probably the most playfully inclined track in the album, funny word-plays and Moroko kills it on the second verse by trying to rhyme every line with wawawa, a little football aspect in the verse when he throws subliminals at Arsenal Fans in reference to the Arsenal fan who committed suicide after the team lost[R.I.P], but then again this is rap. 3D Dully who is now becoming my favorite emcee is at it again murdering Pop acts lyrically in Mtakubali but that Auto-tune element in the hook is a complete turn-off. Gadi Moja quickly takes care of the Auto-tuned hook by going hard in his verse with seriously crafty words. Moroko continues to show his lyrical ability and technical rhyme scheme that Kenyan Hip Hop been missing in Club Zip, Hawa Watu & Slow Flow, The production aspect of Kalahari Kila Kitu is above average, the album is Lyrically exceptional.
The album is retailing for only Kshs. 300, call 0724560660 to get your copy now.
Moroko – Commander – in – Thieves
3D Dully – Mtakubali feat. Gadi Moja
Salez – Bahari
Moroko – Club Zip
Rating: 3/5
