In a world where people seldom sing about unadulterated love, let alone wear their hearts on their sleeves, Kwame Rígìi, from the House Of Mumbi has decided to swim against the current and give voice to this enfeebling emotion. His vibrato is the stuff of legends, and his music a breath of fresh air. He calls his music Urban Folk, a mélange of styles ranging from Gíkùyù-soul, to Ethiopian Gurage peppered with Akorino mellismas paying tribute to his heritage. Music has always been intertwined with Kwame’s DNA. His late father, a crafts-artisan introduced him to the greats, by rewriting popular African music for Kwame to sing and perform for his friends at birthday parties. A chance “encounter” with his neighbor’s three stringed guitar acted as a catalyst, fuelling his love for music. It is however in high school that it all fell into place; instruments readily available, drama festivals and students eager to be entertained gave him and his musically talented friends the motivation needed. A band was swiftly formed and music composed much to the chagrin of his teachers. He later sang in church, before leaving to carve out his niche and sound in the world. Kwame croons about a wide array of issues from love to lessons taught to him by his late father, to the humdrum of daily life. His musical muse is his Cleopatra, who he is happily married to. His music is laced with Swahili, although he has a strong preference for Gikuyu, which he feels empowers him to express fluently the things that tug at his heartstrings. Kwame is currently recording his debut album which should be out in 2017. Some of his most popular songs include: Githeremende where he took a stab at free-style rapping, Hali Ya Maisha picked as the theme song for TV series Higher Learning, Mama Wa Taifa which paid homage to the late Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, Holela which decried the HIV pandemic as well as Wajali commissioned by first Lady Margaret Kenyatta to highlight the plight HIV&Aids. Malkia, Aki Wewe, Reke Ngwende and Nipe Mapenzi which are fairly recent are an ode to love and cut across musical divides. Love is a consuming fire that sets souls ablaze, or burns them to smoldering ashes. Kwame hopes to connect hearts through his craft, a legacy that he has devoted his life to. Keep your eyes peeled for this rising sun, who has been dubbed Cupid’s chanteur. Social Media: @kwame.rigii