image courtesy of Normadic Wax
Ousmane’s other names are Wanjohi Waregwa for those who didn’t know and he has like six other siblings (they are 7 kids in their family in total). Here is where it gets interesting, he was born in Mombasa and then moved and went to school in Nakuru town (St Colombus High School). Many people who grew up in Kenya know how Kenyans tend to associate social classes based on which high school an individual went to.
I put this here so that I can draw relationships between his music style and his lyrical content value. Ousmane to date has tried to maintain the Kenyan reggae scene (if at all there is anything like that). I have to say the reason I admire this cat is because he doesn’t try to do what Jamaicans do, he doesn’t try to speak in patois (patwa). He just does his music in the same rhythm, adds a little of that Genge/Kapuka we like and then says things as any Kenyan would. That’s what I like. I have a tendency to block out any local artist who tries to rap/sing in patois. The Redsans, the Nazizi and Wyre to name a few I really just don’t fancy that whole style… Wyre is a very good friend of mine and he has constantly explained to me that, that’s what he does, that’s him – personally I beg to differ.
Needless to say this is one of Ousmane’s classic hits, I decided to post it before the end of the year.
listen to little star:
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download track here:
I have been looking for this song for almost six months straight….thanks and keep it up good stuff. one thing i like what the article said about kenya who try to be something they not. if your not from Jamaica or State dont try to sing like them or talk like them, music store is full of that kind of music who are better than you. dont imitate just be original. just because you lived there for couple of years dont make you act like them!
As popular as Akon is, others absolutely hate him! I’ve heard it not once, not twice..that Akon’s voice sounds like…a ringtone. But its people like Akon and Ousmane who, because of the originality of their “sound” go on to the high stakes. Whether you like Ousmane or not, “Little Star” you’ll agree was such a lovely hit. I use the word “was” because, a lot has happened since its release. The nature of pop in Kenya is just like in the states. Songs are lacking that Viagra power. Staying power. No matter, how much you liked “Little Star” it was soon overtaken by the “UNA’s” and the “TICHI’s” and the “SWEET LOVE’s”..it’s just the way things are siku hizi.
But on its own merit, this in my opinion, is Ousmane’s greatest hit so far. Ousmane lost his boyish cute looks, much the same way as usher and tevin Campbell but unlike the latter, Ousmane didn’t lose his voice. Even the chicks who complain that they don’t like how Ousmane looks nowadays, katika vibaya when the DJ slides in “Little Star”. If he continues like this, his star won’t be so little BWANA.
Just listen to the song the second time and you’ll suspect that either Ousmane or the producer, one of them really understands music vizuri. Notice how the back-up harmonies enter and exit through-out the song. Notice the intelligent use of sound effects like Reverb, Echo and Panning. Notice how the hi-hats change the character of the beat to sound Kwaitoish but not really. Notice how there’s no wrong note in Ousmane’s singing, even the high ones!
This “Gentlemanly” guy has some very interesting reviews. Ok this might sound a bit petty but I think a lot of Kenyan MCs need to also start caring about how they look…esp. the guys. Hii mambo ya kunona nona ovyo ovyo, as much as it’s traditionally a sign of prosperity in Africa (yeah whatever!), its also a sign of plain negligence. Redsan scores very high when it comes to fitness and looking good for the cameras. Someone please tell Ousmane, Nonini and akina Wakimbizi to hit the gym bwana…waache kutuaibisha na hizo tumbo. And Nameless yaani wacha tu! Someone please get him some protein shake…it must be illegal to be that skinny!
i been looking for thus song for the longest. but iz how i cant doen load it, someone please give me a solution or an alternative
This is quite interesting. I heard this song banging in a Las Vegas club – not a Kenyan DJ mind you. I had never heard the song and used Shazam to find the artist. Googling it led me here.