Members of the Ameru
community of Mt. Kenya region may not be highly acclaimed for their
musical prowess, but that is not to say they have no musical talent.
A cursory glance unearths household names such as gospel artist Makena,
Aaron Rimbui, DJ Joe Mfalme and Silax of Ogopa DJ. Into this list, the
Ameru Crew deserves a mention.
Formed in December 2010, the group consisted five members. However, one
member left to pursue other interests and was replaced by a lady member,
to revitalise the quintet. The members are; Wycliffe Muthomi (Colonel
Wicky), Euticus Murori (Feita Ziki), Boniface Muthomi (Mr Somi) the
producer of Somi Records, Kenneth Kirimi (Melani Falaki) and Lisa
Gatwiri— the only female member.
“Initially, we were all doing our own solo music projects until we
luckily met at Somi Records in Meru one day,” says Wycliffe.
The chance meeting happened in 2009/10, at around the same time there
was inter-clan fighting between the Tigania and Tharaka sub-tribes over
the land on the border of Imenti, Tharaka and Tigania of Meru. This
inspired them to record their first song as a group, as well as choose a
name— Ameru Crew— that reflected the wholesomeness of their
communities.
‘‘We saw it befitting to do a song and use it to tell our communities
that there was need for peaceful coexistence, and that is how we
recorded Twendaneni (Let’s love each other),” added Wycliffe.
Wycliffe says the song was an instant hit in local and national TV and
radio stations, thrusting them into the limelight and earning them a
Best Song of The Year (Eastern Province) nomination at the 2013 Groove
Awards. When the 2012 Niko na Safaricom Live Concert came to town, the
group featured as one of the guest star artistes.
Soon, TV and radio shows came calling as well, with shows like KTN’s
Cheche Za Burudani with presenter Peter Adamz unveiling them to a
national audience. They sold more than 1500 copies, around Meru only, of
the same song.
Recently, an American marketing and distribution company showed interest
in marketing and distributing their music abroad.
“We thank God for the deal because our main challenge has been marketing
and distribution. We have already signed the contract and are just
waiting to iron out the finer details,” explains Wycliffe.
It was around this time that the group experienced one of its earlier
challenges, when one of the founder members named Jehushaphat (Kimaita)
left to do his solo projects in 2012.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/lifestyle/article/2000087545/the-new-crew-in-town
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/lifestyle/article/2000087545/the-new-crew-in-town
Members of the Ameru
community of Mt. Kenya region may not be highly acclaimed for their
musical prowess, but that is not to say they have no musical talent.
A cursory glance unearths household names such as gospel artist Makena,
Aaron Rimbui, DJ Joe Mfalme and Silax of Ogopa DJ. Into this list, the
Ameru Crew deserves a mention.
Formed in December 2010, the group consisted five members. However, one
member left to pursue other interests and was replaced by a lady member,
to revitalise the quintet. The members are; Wycliffe Muthomi (Colonel
Wicky), Euticus Murori (Feita Ziki), Boniface Muthomi (Mr Somi) the
producer of Somi Records, Kenneth Kirimi (Melani Falaki) and Lisa
Gatwiri— the only female member.
“Initially, we were all doing our own solo music projects until we
luckily met at Somi Records in Meru one day,” says Wycliffe.
The chance meeting happened in 2009/10, at around the same time there
was inter-clan fighting between the Tigania and Tharaka sub-tribes over
the land on the border of Imenti, Tharaka and Tigania of Meru. This
inspired them to record their first song as a group, as well as choose a
name— Ameru Crew— that reflected the wholesomeness of their
communities.
‘‘We saw it befitting to do a song and use it to tell our communities
that there was need for peaceful coexistence, and that is how we
recorded Twendaneni (Let’s love each other),” added Wycliffe.
Wycliffe says the song was an instant hit in local and national TV and
radio stations, thrusting them into the limelight and earning them a
Best Song of The Year (Eastern Province) nomination at the 2013 Groove
Awards. When the 2012 Niko na Safaricom Live Concert came to town, the
group featured as one of the guest star artistes.
Soon, TV and radio shows came calling as well, with shows like KTN’s
Cheche Za Burudani with presenter Peter Adamz unveiling them to a
national audience. They sold more than 1500 copies, around Meru only, of
the same song.
Recently, an American marketing and distribution company showed interest
in marketing and distributing their music abroad.
“We thank God for the deal because our main challenge has been marketing
and distribution. We have already signed the contract and are just
waiting to iron out the finer details,” explains Wycliffe.
It was around this time that the group experienced one of its earlier
challenges, when one of the founder members named Jehushaphat (Kimaita)
left to do his solo projects in 2012.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/lifestyle/article/2000087545/the-new-crew-in-town
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/lifestyle/article/2000087545/the-new-crew-in-town
Members of the Ameru
community of Mt. Kenya region may not be highly acclaimed for their
musical prowess, but that is not to say they have no musical talent.
A cursory glance unearths household names such as gospel artist Makena,
Aaron Rimbui, DJ Joe Mfalme and Silax of Ogopa DJ. Into this list, the
Ameru Crew deserves a mention.
Formed in December 2010, the group consisted five members. However, one
member left to pursue other interests and was replaced by a lady member,
to revitalise the quintet. The members are; Wycliffe Muthomi (Colonel
Wicky), Euticus Murori (Feita Ziki), Boniface Muthomi (Mr Somi) the
producer of Somi Records, Kenneth Kirimi (Melani Falaki) and Lisa
Gatwiri— the only female member.
“Initially, we were all doing our own solo music projects until we
luckily met at Somi Records in Meru one day,” says Wycliffe.
The chance meeting happened in 2009/10, at around the same time there
was inter-clan fighting between the Tigania and Tharaka sub-tribes over
the land on the border of Imenti, Tharaka and Tigania of Meru. This
inspired them to record their first song as a group, as well as choose a
name— Ameru Crew— that reflected the wholesomeness of their
communities.
‘‘We saw it befitting to do a song and use it to tell our communities
that there was need for peaceful coexistence, and that is how we
recorded Twendaneni (Let’s love each other),” added Wycliffe.
Wycliffe says the song was an instant hit in local and national TV and
radio stations, thrusting them into the limelight and earning them a
Best Song of The Year (Eastern Province) nomination at the 2013 Groove
Awards. When the 2012 Niko na Safaricom Live Concert came to town, the
group featured as one of the guest star artistes.
Soon, TV and radio shows came calling as well, with shows like KTN’s
Cheche Za Burudani with presenter Peter Adamz unveiling them to a
national audience. They sold more than 1500 copies, around Meru only, of
the same song.
Recently, an American marketing and distribution company showed interest
in marketing and distributing their music abroad.
“We thank God for the deal because our main challenge has been marketing
and distribution. We have already signed the contract and are just
waiting to iron out the finer details,” explains Wycliffe.
It was around this time that the group experienced one of its earlier
challenges, when one of the founder members named Jehushaphat (Kimaita)
left to do his solo projects in 2012.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/lifestyle/article/2000087545/the-new-crew-in-town
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/lifestyle/article/2000087545/the-new-crew-in-town
