big band but kawaida jamaas

How often does a freelance journalist taking the first steps in their journalistic career get to interview the latest, hottest band on the Gospel scene? 

Well, this particular journalist had the privilege of sitting down with two of the three guys, Paul “Boss” Onyango, Antony “Tony” Mburu, and Kennedy “Kenti” Kimani, who make up M.O.G., Kenya’s next big thing. 

Tony and Kenti are in their own words, “just regular jamaas (guys).”  They are incredibly humble, and honestly, the first time I met them and “Boss,” I had no idea that they were part of the MOG, that amazing group I had listened to on the radio.  They were just crazy, cool and friendly guys chilling out with friends. 

These are guys that have walked the hard road in life and risen above their situations, to win a huge following of fans, especially among teenagers who recently awarded them with three Chaguo la Teeniez (Kenya’s Teen Choice) awards.  They grew up in Korogocho slums and got involved in gangs and petty theft while they were still in primary school.   

Now they are glad to be proof to the young people of Korogocho that something good can actually come from Korogocho.   And they believe that their music is give them a platform to tell the whole world what a difference Jesus can make in someone’s life. 

Even with these high ambitions, they are very humble and love to have fun.  During the interview, they turned the tables on me and declared that if I got to ask them questions then they could make me answer my own questions. Once they got comfortable, jokes started rolling out, including Tony claiming to be only fifteen.  (He never did tell me his actual age, saying only that all three of them are between 21-23). Tony went on to informed me that Kenti was very good at imitations and would probably start imitating me after I left. 

The three are obviously close friends and they say they enjoy living in the same neighbourhood.  They do have their differences though.  Kenti loves spaghetti while Tony claims chapattis are his favourite (Kenti begged to differ saying Tony loves ugali and fish).  Kenti loves ragga and reggae music, but Tony seems undecided and says he just loves music, especially worship.  Sadly, Boss wasn’t at the interview to share his preferences, since he is still in school. 

The strongest common ground for the guys is their love of their savior.  Tony sums it all up, “We just love Jesus.”  The group got together through a football program at a Tumaini Church, which is where they found the love of their savior and a passion for music. 

Making it to the top hasn’t always been easy.  Jogg C’s Lena lent a helping hand along the way leading to an open door at K-Krew, a ministry using music to reach out to Kenya’s youth.  They take an active part in K-Krew’s missions, their music plays on K-Krew’s popular radio show, Kubamba, and they regularly attend the K-Krew Bible Study on Tuesday evenings.  And of course their signature “zing zing” dance style is a fixture at K-Krew concerts.    

With a Groove award and three Chaguo la Teeniez awards already in hand, they are about to launch their first album in late August…I’ve already reserved my autographed copy…you better do the same.