The art of music videos

Every week, new music videos are released on YouTube. Scratch that, make it everyday. It's an ongoing business that never stops or dies throughout the year. Videos are always been conceived, produced, directed, and released to the public. Some of them are simple, focusing on only one or a few subjects. And others are complex, intricate - you can easily tell that they took a lot of time, money, and energy. Usually these are the ones that stand out from the huge pool of video clips swimming on the Internet. But they are not always the best.
See, you don't need necessarily a lot of resources to make a great video. Sometimes all you need is a deep message in a simple setting. A video that clearly reflects the lyrics. A video with an interesting twist. Full of colour and weird things. Or black and white, sublime. It is the different types of styles that make videos so interesting. Makes them beautiful. So that they become art by themselves.

Fena ngoma zako ni kali

No, this is not the title of a song. It is part of one. A lyric from a song called Jabulani by Kenyan female artiste Fena Gitu. The word jabulani simply means jubilation. It is a slow reggae like jam filled with lots of inspiration. In the hook, Fena sings that we should rejoice in the struggle, rejoice in the pain. She talks about how she rose to success from only talent and determination. And now she is one of the best and revered musicians in Kenya. This jam is made to encourage those of us who are working hard to live their dreams. Telling us that if she could make it, so can we.
I think it's the perfect song for anyone who is losing hope in themselves or their ambitions. Thinking that because it's difficult to see positive results, it's not meant to be. But the pain and hardship is only the journey you need to pass to get to the top. Just like a mountaineer's job. But once you can see where you came from, you will truly feel proud and satisfied. When people tell you how they look up to you, when at one point you couldn't look at yourself in the mirror. Fena knows she has made it when she walks in the streets and children shout "Fena, your songs are hot!" Don't you want to be there too? So don't give up. Just rejoice. Because your future is coming soon.

To listen to the full song, click here.

The proper remix

You know what pisses me off when it comes to music? It has to be most remixes. There are fake and real remixes. The type that annoys me is the former. What is a fake remix you ask? Well it happens when an artiste makes a really good song that becomes a hit. Then this artiste is approached by another big artiste who says they want to collaborate on that song because they love the it and believe they can add something new to it. So they go to studio and record. A few days pr weeks later, they release it. Only that the song feels nothing like a remix. It sounds exactly like the original song, just with an added verse at the beginning or the end. That is it. That's what you were busy cooking up in the studio for days. Heck, anyone can make that kind of remix at home with good software and two different audios.
Dear artistes, a remix does not mean leaving the song the same way you found it. When you say you are going to make a remix, actually remix the song.  If you really wanted to be part of the song, then create it all over again. Make it sound fresh, and different from original. Create a new song worth buying and listening. And in case you need you need examples, just listen to Love In This Club, and Back To Sleep remixes.
Now that you know, you better not disappoint me next time.

Being true to yourself

Being an artiste means that you get to share your life and experience with people. Whether you're a painter, a singer, a poet, or even a writer. You fill your art with something you can relate with. Something unique to you, and only you. At least that's what some artistes do. The rest, well I guess you can say they pretend. They create art to please others, not themselves. They are still works of art, but not the mesmerizing kind. Not the kind you would hang in your living room, or in the reception. They are those you like for a while because they were made to impress you. But you eventually lose interest, and move on. If you think about the art of music, they are lots of musicians who do that. They sing songs about the latest fad, what is cool and hip right now. For some artistes, that is their true expression. But for most, they are just going with the flow. Not listening to their heart. That is why I'd like to applaud those who go against the grain and do something different. Artistes who are not making popular music just because they will make more money from it. But those who sing in their own style, and bring something unique to the plate. They are the ones who truly stand out on the worldwide stage. Artistes like Fena Gitu, Mayonde, Just A Band from Kenya. Those are the guys aspiring musicians should look up to. People to remind them that it is great to be yourself.

Wherever I go

Wherever I go I'll be looking for you. Ryan Tedder croons at the beginning of this fantastic song. Wherever I go is the first single of his band One Republic. Since when, 2014? Two long years they have been away, leaving us in the hands of new and old bands like DNCE, FallOut Boy, and Coldplay. By the way, what happened to Maroon 5?
Back to OneRepublic, and their grand return. I call it grand because I have never seen a comeback like this. Well, apart from Beyonce's of course. They released the new song on May 13th, and the video 4 days later. Did you know that it is the theme song for the 2016 movie XMen: Apocalpyse? More reason to watch it if you haven't. Yes, I'm talking to me.
There's so much to love about this song. The dance funk themes in it. Basically the way it makes you feel - like dancing the hell out of your body. And the video, is just the icing on the cake. If you haven't watched it, it follows a Korean business man whose life is transformed by the song. Well in his head that is. It features bright colors, dancing that resembles acrobatics, and basically sheer fun. I guess you could say OneRepublic have gone Gangnam Style.
I know it's only the sixth month, but I think that Wherever I go is is the song of the year. Or of the summer at least. Ryan Tedder and his boys have proved to me why they are one of my top bands. I simply cannot wait for what else they have in store in their upcoming album to be released this year. I really hope it's going to be as lit as Wherever I Go. Well, I doubt anything can be as good as it, but this is a great start.

Here is a live version of the song, which makes me love the song even more.

The Beyhive

Over the past weekend, I have been bullied. I've been bullied and ridiculed. People I know have made fun of me and laughed, as I sulked. Its no surprise that my weekend wasn't all that great. All this has happened to me for one reason.

I am part of the Beyhive.

Nope, I did not misspell the word beehive in case you were wondering. I only improved it. So who or what is the Beyhive? Well it is a community of workers that has been chosen for a special purpose. And that purpose is to adore our queen. And preach of her beauty and wonder to all. It is our job to speak highly of the majesty, and to tell the world what she has done for us. The blessings she pours upon us her loyal servants.  And most importantly, we are there to defend her at all costs. Attack her and be sure we shall sting.We are the Beyhive. And she is our Queen Bey.

In case you haven't caught the drift yet, I'm talking about Beyonce, Beyonce Knowles-Carter. Giselle is her maiden name. Only a member of the Beyhive would know that. And you know what, I am proud to be one. She is diligent and majestic. And she has the talent of five musicians combined. Yes, I said it. So taunt me all you want, but I will forever be loyal. All hail the Queen (of music).

Music for life

What do you do when you have to write, but don't know what to write about. Well, it's simple. You simply write. And hope your fingers will guide you to the right words. That's what I'm doing right now, letting my hands flow. I'm supposed to be writing about music, which is the focus of this blog. I live music. I love it. I listen to it every single day. I bathe in it. It is in my blood, flowing like the melodies. Makes my bones dance. It lights up my spirit within. The part which you cannot see. The one I can only feel.
My life is defined by music. How it makes me feel. It is the melody of life. The rhythm of days spent. The beginning and end of inspiration. My energy source. The life force. Because life would be boring without music, wouldn't it? Dull and gray. Almost meaningless. Without the juice, you cannot move. That is why we need music. I need it.

Being a music lover

Who is a music junkie? Does everyone love music? Or are there a special few who don't? The different ones. Is liking music encoded in our human DNA? Is it part of being a sonic being? Or is it just a common preference among people? I have been asking myself those questions throughout the day. Maybe the reason many of us adore music is that we have been exposed to it since we were kids. Like TV. Or comic books. Maybe it's something that other people purposefully chose to love. To add it to our highest interests, thus the term music junkie. Did you choose music, or did it choose you? If it didn't exist, would you have an emptiness in your soul? Or would you comfortably live without it? I want to know.

Makmende is back

It is a calm Sunday night. Everyone is asleep, except for the dogs barking from a distance. And me. It's been a long day. For me, not the dogs. Full the videos and Internet  memes. Muhammad Ali quotes. Instagram photos. I feel tired, but not sleepy. There are still a couple of things on my plate that I need to eat.

I enter youtube into my browser's address bar and wait. A few seconds later I'm home. A minute later, I am watching my first video. Ha-He, it's titled. Released in 2010 by Kenyan disco band Just A Band. One of my favorite bands I must mention. Watching it now almost feels the same as it six years ago. I laugh and cringe at the same time. And it's all because of one guy - Makmende.

Who is Makmende you ask? Well he is the star of the show. Makmende is actually a sheng word which means hero. In this video, he is represented by Kevin Maina aka K1, a Kenyan actor and DJ. He is the protagonist in an 80s inspired world, where bell bottoms and Afro were the in thing. And the result, it just hilarious.

Simply put, Ha-He is a silly song. From Just a Band with their silly lyrics (tuko works mzeiya, evacuate the air). To the fake fighting scenes, even faker than those in Indian films... okay no, theirs are on whole new level. But the non convincing fights are compensated for by the portrait that periodically appears on your screen, reminding you that Makmende is back (Makmende Amerudi!). And let's not forget the time he ties that red tie on his head to resemble a Samurai warrior. Or when he (fake) fights the bad guys to save the girl, only to reject her the second time they meet.

A combination of all this ultimately made Ha-He a hit song. Not only that, it became the first viral Kenyan internet sensation in Kenya. Just A Band set a new standard for artistes and were even featured on CNN as a result. Paving the way for future Kenyan sensations such as Sauti Sol's Sura Yako that rocked the world in 2014-5. And even the POTUS Barrack Obama. 

I think the reason why Makmende was so influential is that he was our first ever local hero.
America has Batman - now that Superman is apparently dead. We have Makmende.

By Hech - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9813091