After a series of mixtapes, EPs and non stop singles, Wakazi finally drops his long awaited debut Album.
The album is called KISIMANI, an acronym for Kila Siku Maisha Ninayakabili, which translates to “Everyday live struggle” or even more precise “Everyday Struggling with Life”. It sheds a light on life struggles and experiences, varying from love, faith, politics, to life philosophies, with some being equivalent to what Wakazi saw while sitting in Stakishari Ukonga at the Water Well, which also happens to be called “Kisimani” in Swahili. As Wakazi explains himself, “Kisimani is metaphoric, since the same water, which is essential to life, fetched from the same well (Kisima) is used for different purposes by different people in their everyday life struggles (Kisimani) and me being at the well, Kisimani, is like having a vantage point to all these live struggles of people.” How interesting is that…
It took years to complete the album, and it’s evident from the array of sounds that have been experimented on, reminiscent of multiple eras of Hip Hop. Wakazi’s versatile skills made sure that the listener won’t even think about skipping a record. As he says in “Kila Siku”, “…. hakuna mjadala, I know my place in Hip Hop, nimeleta mapinduzi bila kumwaga damu kwenye hii vita”, meaning that he is here to revolutionize the game without raffling any feathers with his counterparts but rather setting high standards in every way possible. Even on deep thought tracks like “Matatizo”, Wakazi finds a way to throw in his clever wit, for instance “Unajiita Chuma, na nguo hujawahi kufua. Aliyefanya makosa anaitwa Sikujua”, and last but not least, how he confidently lets his ambitions of being an all time TZ greatest Emcee be known, in the track “Hapa Wakazi Tu”, “y’all can’t see me kwa makengeza, y’all cross eyed, as I dissect these crossed lines live and direct no consigns, on the cross lies your ass, confess that I’m one of the best of all time, and in no time, I guess I’ll be in your Top 5”. Listening to the album, is like riding through a rollercoaster of emotions, highs and lows, while gaining new perspective through the eyes or rather words of this Stakishari Ukonga’s own Bilingual Beast.
Kisimani is an 18 tracks album, which features the likes of One Incredible, Barakah Da Prince, Ayler Voice, Laylah, Ibrah Nation , Gospel singer Frida Felix and TZ reggae/dancehall sensation, Dabo. Production credits include Marco Chali, John Mahundi, Innocent Mujwahuki, Palla, Q The Don, Cjamoker, Calidro, Abbah Process, Willie HD, KZZ The Soulplugger, Biggstickerz, Banostylez and the late Myron “Malo” Brown (R.I.P), who also happens to be Wakazi’s friend who got killed 4 years ago in gun violence in Chicago. “Hapa Wakazi Tu” and “Bakora” are the pre-released singles, but look forward to the official release of “Nimezama” and “Tradin Bars” as follow up singles, with their respective music videos as well. Kisimani Album is available across all digital platforms and also in hard copies (CDs) on select stores.
