CAMP MULLA WELCOMES YOU TO FUNKY TOWN

Here's the Review I did for Nairobi's Top Cultural Magazine Nairobi Up

Camp Mulla could well be the group that single handedly lifts the face of urban Kenyan music. Made up of versatile rappers Taio Tripper and Shappaman, the amazing songstress Karungari “Miss Karun”, and the multi- talented producer, Marcus “K’Cous” Kibukosya, Camp Mulla is one to watch.

“Funky Town” is a highly anticipated piece of art with a clear objective—to make you dance and have a great time. The title track, “Funky Town”, is a preparation for celebration. Camp Mulla doesn’t deviate from the carnival mood, even when giving a positive message on their rendition of Kenyan 90s group, Zanaziki’s “Papeyo”. A gem, it encourages peers to work hard in life, not to expect handouts, and never to abandon their dreams.

The laid back jam “Feel No Pain” will put you in the mood for a great house party. And you have to bring lots of swagger if you want to keep it “Fresh All Day”, as Miss Karun croons. She solidifies the track iwith “all I know is swagger, put your hands up if you’ve have some.” Camp Mullah’s smash hit, “Party Don’t Stop” (featuring Collo), earned them lots of accolades, including becoming the first East-African artists nominated for the prestigious 2012 American BET.

“Sunday Swagg” is the type of song to play on the drive home after a long day at work. You won’t believe how fast the traffic moves. They team up with Just A Band on the grown-up and jazzy “Where Do You Come From?” Watch out now, you will get addicted to jams such as “End of the Night”, “Addicted” and “Take It to the Floor”. This is followed by the smooth J. Smiles, who teams up with the group for some deep R&B on “Low” and “We Can Go”. And for the big finale, Camp Mullah ends the album with the insightful “Move On”, featuring Bamboo. After listening to this album, I sincerely recommend a trip down to “Funky Town”.

“Funky Town” is available at all Nakumatt and Uchumi stores.

Read More About Nairobi - The Cultural Mecca of Central & Eastern Africa. Read More about this beautiful city. Nairobi Up

CAMP MULLA

THE BIG AFRICAN CYPHER

By Buddha Blaze Pictures by Sebastian Wanzalla

A major African Cypher happened right in front of my eyes at the cozy Sky Lux Lounge in Westlands, Nairobi as I attended the listening party for Nigeria’s top record label – Chocolate City. Mtech brought together Nigeria’s Ice Prince Zamani, Kenya's new kids on the block – Camp Mulla and Botswana’s freshly baked rapper Zeus known for putting his country on the map during the continental rap championship - Emcee Africa a few years ago. This cypher couldn’t have come at a better time than now, after the much talked highly charged BET Awards Cypher that has had the hip hop community talking for the last few weeks.

BET The Cypher 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9vJURtOUGY&feature=related

THE CYPHER IN SESSION

ZEUS MIC MURDERING


ICE PRINCE SHINING


It’s not often that you find African MCs from different countries in the same room cyphering. Even when African MCs gig together it’s usually a commercial gig. When cyphers do happen it’s usually Nigerian and South African MCs that get the shine. In fact the most asked question about the BET Cypher was why it only showcases Ghanaian and Nigerian MCs. That decision can only be articulated by BET but here were in that moment. Some people call it luck – I call it being in the right place at the right time. It’s moments like these that one needs a good film camera but unfortunately I didn’t have one and neither did anyone else. The club lit up with phone cameras.

SKY LUX AERIEL VIEW


The Big African Cypher was an impromptu decision by the night’s MC 1FM’s Adelle who called the MCs on stage and asked them to grab the mic. Before you knew what there was a cypher in session. It happened so fast any weak MC would’ve declined the opportunity for some reason. How many times have you heard this – “No man I don’t freestyle anymore” or “No man I only came for the function I’m not ready”. The worst one is “Please talk to my manager”. Those are the kind of MCs that’s probably made already not really hungry for the microphone.

BUDDHA BLAZE WITH DJ CREME CHILLING

BUDDHA BLAZE WITH IKE FROM MTECH


For a devout hip hop head there is nothing as ecstatic as being in the presence of a dope cypher session. You can make hit records and all the money but the ultimate high of being in a cypher session with other giants. DJ Crème set the tunes, first it was Camp Mulla who everyone should watch out for - these kids are not to be messed with lyrically. Then it was the ‘Aleke’ hit maker Ice Prince Zamani who recently appeared on BET The Cypher (Nigeria); he quite frankly comes on top of Africa’s list of rhymers then there was the lyrically unfuckwithable Motswana kid Zeus who just completed the equation. I learnt one lesson – always walk with your video camera.

MC ADELLE WITH CHOCOLATE CITY CEO YAHAYA MAIKORI


Ice Prince was in Kenya to perform at the Kenya Film Festival that attracted alot of film personalities who were also at the cypher.

NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR WITH MOVIE STAR GENNEVIEVE NNAJI


RAMSEY IN THE BUILDING


ICE WITH MADDTRAXX

ICE & BRYMO


Camp Mulla previous freestyle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=befax_rQq1Y

Ice Prince Zamani previous freestyle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8da_ex6ORc

Zeus on the Emcee Africa track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SotkgE1N-M