We tend to overlook vernacular languages when choosing music to listen to, because we assume vernacular lacks the upbeat groove.
But not anymore, these two artists will prove to you that all it takes to make a good upbeat jam in vernacular is a mash of creativity and talent.
Stacy Kamatu – Coka Mucie
With only three words from her native, Stacy pulled off such an elegant feat. Coka mucie (come back home) and nigwedete (I love you) are the only Gikuyu words in the song.
Blending these in with a few English and Swahili words gives the song such an exquisite taste.
Stacy sings it out with clarity such that the words just stick onto your mind. It’s one of those songs you can keep playing over and over.
Stacy shared on the inspiration behind the song, “I think I was at a really weird place with God at that time cos I didn’t know where my music was going to take me….”
The song is about the prodigal son who runs away from home but returns after coming back to his senses.
But that’s not the impression you get when you first hear the song. It feels like the song speaks of a spouse who left home.
Stacy says that her songs have a way of turning against her.
She explained this during an interview with Kiss FM, “Coka mucie was supposed to be a song about me and God, well it’s a love song now. This one was (Kilio) was meant to be about elephants…now it’s a about I think human rights or something…”
Kilio is Stacy’s song about endangered wildlife species in Africa – specifically elephants in this song.
Find Stacy’s Coka Mucie song on YouTube here and on Spotify here.
Manasseh Shalom – Asyai
Asyai is Kamba for Parents.
This song definitely deserves an accolade. It carries an African vibe right from the beginning, loaded with a noble message.
“Asyai is a sad story of a parent crying out for his prodigal child. The child eventually returns home, only that it’s too late and the parents are long gone,” writes Manasseh in a Facebook post.
The song implores children – daughters and sons – to listen to their parents. It is a reminder that parents have to be honored, and that they will leave at some time.
Manasseh says he was inspired by an incident of a child slapping their parent, “I once saw a child slapping the parent some years ago and I refused to believe that they were raised here.”
The song has a particularly interesting phrase, ‘Mbui nene nditivaa mana’ in the chorus.
This translates to ‘An old goat does not bleat in vain.’
“In my thinking, there’s something it (the old goat) must know. An old soul does not share empty words. Our parents and friends of old, do not point fingers for fun, there’s something they must know.” Manasseh points out.
The song ends in words of wisdom, “Do not be long, my son, my daughter. I’m waiting for you, run into my arms.”
Manasseh has a collection of other similar songs in his debut; Kitungi3.
Find Manasseh’s Asyai song on YouTube here and on Spotify here.
“Mbûi ngûû ndîtiivaa mana.” 💪