‘Niko Poa’ by Mejja is a piece of understated genius. Sampling a long-forgotten, thirty year old song by Diana Ross, and using it as the base around which to construct a narrative of the angst of a young man moving to the big city.
It is a novel in four minutes. Yes, the young man gains a bit of success as he is taken in by the legendary Clemo, and he begins his rise in the rap industry, and starts to fulfil his dreams. But even though he left a life of destitution in the slums of Nyeri whence he came, he cannot but glance behind and think of the boys he left in the ‘hood. He likes his success, but it is important that he doesn’t forget them. It is perhaps even more important that they know that he hasn’t forgotten them, even as they fall deeper into the crevasse of drugs and armed theft.
It is a story about a letter and a phone call. His correspondent, a friend who remained behind, is looking up at Mejja from the murk of a deep well, and he convinces himself to stay away from despair, because at least one of them made it from Majengo ya Nyeri.
The stories from home are full of despondency and desperation. Kioko alivuta kiombidho alichizi. Mama Kasanga, who was a respectable lady, has resorted to petty theft. Even Big Brother is now heavily into religion as a salve for the desperation in the slums. But, if only Mejja sends an invite for a visit to Nairobi. Maybe some hope. Maybe.
Don’t forget your biggest fans, Mejja. They are back here with us in Majengo. Ukikaa jiji usisahau kijiji. Mejja sends some money, if only to buy a few drinks. Nina damu ya uMajengo. Gotea Majengo ya Nyeri.
https://youtu.be/AlXqOuG1Sic
It is a novel in four minutes. Yes, the young man gains a bit of success as he is taken in by the legendary Clemo, and he begins his rise in the rap industry, and starts to fulfil his dreams. But even though he left a life of destitution in the slums of Nyeri whence he came, he cannot but glance behind and think of the boys he left in the ‘hood. He likes his success, but it is important that he doesn’t forget them. It is perhaps even more important that they know that he hasn’t forgotten them, even as they fall deeper into the crevasse of drugs and armed theft.
It is a story about a letter and a phone call. His correspondent, a friend who remained behind, is looking up at Mejja from the murk of a deep well, and he convinces himself to stay away from despair, because at least one of them made it from Majengo ya Nyeri.
The stories from home are full of despondency and desperation. Kioko alivuta kiombidho alichizi. Mama Kasanga, who was a respectable lady, has resorted to petty theft. Even Big Brother is now heavily into religion as a salve for the desperation in the slums. But, if only Mejja sends an invite for a visit to Nairobi. Maybe some hope. Maybe.
Don’t forget your biggest fans, Mejja. They are back here with us in Majengo. Ukikaa jiji usisahau kijiji. Mejja sends some money, if only to buy a few drinks. Nina damu ya uMajengo. Gotea Majengo ya Nyeri.
https://youtu.be/AlXqOuG1Sic
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