MUSIC (Nigeria): Bam Bam by Timaya ft. Olamide

Play Bam Bam {Video}

            What a tantalizing and melodious offering, this Bam Bam! "Second-life" Timaya and always-resourceful Olamide pull off an enchanting auditory 'stunt' – a sustained stream of many-sided sounds and even consciousness, and of timed naughtiness. They shuffle, as if, somehow, levitated. The dancin' gals do their darnedest in an imaginary ring – and even execute some kind of acupunch, here and there; but they wouldn't hurt a fly. The visuals glue the eyeballs all around...

MUSIC: Unforgettable 'Kaunyaka' by Chege + Mh Temba ft. DJ Maphorisa

For the record, Chege, the lead singer, is a Tanzanian; not a Kenyan as many Kenyans who see the name for the first time might, in all 'fairness', suppose. Let me make another supposition: There are more Kenyans, from the wider Mt. Kenya region, called Chege (or Cege) than Tanzanians any day. But the singer we're looking at here isn't for this reason 'probably' Kenyan, but Tanzanian [Chege Chigunda is his full stage-name, but wait till you see his real name]. Mh Temba is also a Tanzanian. DJ Maphorisa, on the other hand, is a South African who, at the publication of this song, was still a member of the Uhuru music group. 

Click to watch the video

Kaunyaka is sung mostly in Swahili, which the average Tanzanian speaks (sings, even) with more finesse than the Kenyan, as we Kenyans are the first to acknowledge. We, who are more torn than they "between" English, (Ki)Swahili and whatever ethnic language we variously "belong to". 

Click Here For The: Kaunyaka Lyrics

DJ Maphorisa's presence adds distinct flavor to the lyrics and the tempo of the dance, not to speak of the vocal energy. But Chege's voice is the dominant voice, and it clearly gives this wonderful song its 'lean-forward' character, its twen-zetu (let's go gal) appeal. The picture quality is HD, the acoustics are superb, the girls are pretty as a picture, and the sun's super shiny.

Kaunyaka has a rousing dance-hall beat, but would do just as well inside a supermarket, shopping mall or fast-food joint. It is, indeed, a sun-wrapped offering, by these scarcely appreciated but undeterred performers, to all of us.

NOTE: Kaunyaka was published on February 18th, 2015, and had 387,243 YouTube views at 5:30 p.m. on December 29, 2015 (GMT+3).