They called him the King of the Kenyan Twist. It was because of the effect his music had on people. Anywhere the smooth riffs of his guitar would play, they would set people’s feet to dancing. Because of Daudi Kabaka’s great influence on Kenyan music, he was one of our musical architects, giving us a blueprint on which to build our signature sound. His song “Harambee Harambee” was no different; it remains his patriotic legacy.
“Harambee Harambee” wraps the dreams of a young Kenyan for his country in the bluesy sound of Daudi Kabaka’s hey-day. Rejecting negative reports about the country, he brings out what he knows to be true of our country’s people. As the bass hums along, he paints a picture of what he sees Kenya becoming and what that will require from its citizens. “Tuvute pamoja,” it says, inspiring unity and that work ethic Kenyans are known for, a work ethic which he was no stranger to.
Daudi was born on November 28, 1939, in Kyambogo, Uganda; he was named in honor of a Bugandan king who had just recently passed on. Contracted to work on The Lunatic Express, Daudi’s father relocated the family to Nairobi. Daudi managed to complete his primary education at St. Peter Clavers Primary School. At 12, he fell under the beautiful spell of music. Interacting with guitarists and the Congolese style had him hooked. He admired the artists whose music mesmerized him and he affirmed to play like them. From then on, it was music and school for Daudi Kabaka. He recorded his first composition, “Nie Kabaka Naimba,” at age 14.
His musical career peaked in 1970s, seeing him open his own studio and participate in multiple music tours as he continued to engineer the Benga East Africans love. He professionally retired in the late 80s. In the 90s, he imparted students at Kenyatta University with the wisdom he’d accrued over the years as their Creative Arts Instructor.
In “Harambee, Harambee,” Daudi Kabaka sings about the noble qualities of his countrymen: their integrity, inclusivity and love for peace. When we listen to it today, we see the hopes of our ancestors, calling us to strive to those ideals.
Listen to this Ngoma here – Harambee Harambee