When i was told that i will be doing an article on someone i work with i was a little bit shocked, i mean we are a small company but do they not have rules about conflicts of interest? No! they would have nothing 
to do with what i was saying and since i was the harshest (read loud mouth) everyone decided i was going to be stuck with an article on ZOGO and his music. Luckily, only one song and a video was i supposed to listen to and review and i though to myself, “incase it sucks, i can always make up for it and took on what was to be the most controversial review of my five month career.
THE SONG
I was handed the song in a not so glamorous event and for relevancy’s sake i will keep the details out. I got into my car and realized the envelope in which the CD was had an audio CD and a DVD and the lyrics to the song. I skimmed through the verses and one thing i realized was that lots of imagery had been used. The lyrics were entertaining and the swahili reminded me of my first encounter with my swahili teacher who was a walking ‘kamusi’ and had what i now refer to as ‘flowery’ speech. The kind of speech that is full of metaphors and poetry was what we grew accustomed to and the piece of paper with the lyrics reminded me of that. As i turned on my car, i inserted the CD in my stereo and hoped that what i was about to listen to would be good and I WAS SHOCKED….
The song starts of with strings, Very familiar strings that draw you to the beat from the onset, It is an afro beat that has elements of hip hop with a very catchy bounce kicks. The strings and melody sound out of this world and it is truly an exotic musical safari.
ZOGO delivers what to me is a lyrical master piece. His flow is relaxed and controlled and i could tell there is a whole lot more from where that came. His ability to maintain a calm delivery , his intonation and most importantly the ease with which he delivers the song tells you he is someone that can do almost anything on the mic. The lyrics for this piece are just amazing and once you get the message a picture is painted and all you can do is stay mesmerized! The song touches on lots of things from his struggle as a young man to what is going on back in his native Kenya!
In the second verse he launches an attack on the Kenyan government. He says every Kenyan wants a good life and to live a relaxed life becoming tourists in Africa and Europe but the Members of parliament only care about their salaries even In Migingo (an island in the middle of an ownership dispute between Uganda and Kenya) Kenyans were deserted by their government as a foreign force flew its flag and occupied the island.
“Kenya nzima tunataka kuishi poa tugeuke watalii wa Afrika na Ulaya
Lakini wabunge wanajali tu mishara yao, hata migingo watu waliwaachwa pekee yao
Haya kibera twende tukango’e reli
Labda baada ya hao ndipo watatusikiza
Lakini polisi watatumwa na risasi ni salamu yao toka kwa kamishna Ali”
i can go on and on about the song but you just have to listen to it to get what i mean. Truly this is one of the best songs i have heard this year………….
THE LYRICS
Leo
Zogo
Big up kwa Ma engineer wote,
Fundi wa Mitambo!
KD
Nishaipata Leo
Verse 1
Naipenda sana kama tende Ramadhani Naipenda sana mimi mjuukuu wa Sosoni!
Nikiikosa kweli mbele me sioni Nikiwa nayo tabasamu tu Usoni!
Nishaipata leo Sitaiwacha tena
Ni ndoto yangu naifuata fuata
Kuna vitu vingi ambavyo mimi ninataka Chukua vyote ila usninyime ndoto
Sote tunawaza juu ya siku za usoni nataka raha ye nataka shillingi (+)
Kama mwitaliano pindi akifika Malindi nataka joto, Yeah ninataka bibi
Na ninafanya leo Mambo mengi leo
Sijali wabishi roho juu kama simba
Kidole cha kati kati kwao na cha gumba kwao
Wote wanaoamin najua Sote tutafika
Chorus
NIshaipata leo……….
Verse 2
Kenya nzima tunataka kuishi poa tugeuke watalii wa Afrika na Ulaya
Lakini wabunge wanajali tu mishara yao, hata migingo watu waliwaachwa pekee yao
Haya kibera twende tukango’e reli
Labda baada ya hao ndipo watatusikiza
Lakini polisi watatumwa na risasi ni salamu yao toka kwa kamishna Ali
Haya wanajeshi weka mikono hewani, piga saluti weka mkono kifuani
Mko tayari simama attention toka turukana kenya nzima hadi pwani
Ndio twafanya leo Mambo mengi leo
Sijali wabishi roho juu kama simba
Kidole cha kati kati kwao na cha gumba kwao
Wote wanaoamin najua Sote tutafika
Verse 3
Naipenda sana kama tende Ramadhani Naipenda sana mimi mjuukuu wa Sosoni!
Nikiikosa kweli mbele me sioni Nikiwa nayo tabasamu tu Usoni!
Nishaipata leo Sitaiwacha tena
Nabaki safi huu ni mwanzo tafuta shillingi mwaya jasho bila shida
Napaa juu kama mawingu angani, Kila siku nayo lazima tubaki safi…
Bridge * 2
Na ninafanya leo Mambo mengi leo
Sijali wabishi roho juu kama simba
Kidole cha kati kati kwao na cha gumba kwao
Wote wanaoamin najua Sote tutafika
Chorus
