Benga music originated in 1940s Nairobi, Kenya and was influenced by Luo music and Rumba. It is a popular dance music played using guitars, bass guitar, and percussion. Benga music is characterized by a fast-paced rhythmic beat driven by the lead guitar and bass guitar playing in a syncopated style, while the lyrics typically address important social events, politics, love, money, and people in the Luo language. Notable Benga musician Daniel Owino Misiani founded the influential Shirati Jazz band.
4. Characteristics (Instruments)
● Lead guitar = core
● Fast paced rhythmic beat
o strange beat: combination of lead guitar overriding the rhythm
and bass
● Bouncy finger picking guitar technique
o notes are plucked and picked (rapidly)
● Pace:
o steady rise to climax (crescendo)
o quick chorus.
● Bass guitar is played in the style of the nyatiti (syncopated
melodies)
5. Characteristics (Lyrics)
● Lyrics in Luo
● Topics that the songs tackle:
o important social events
o political drama
o love
o money
o people
6. Notable Musicians
● Shirati Jazz (founded by Daniel Owino
Misiani)
● One of the most important Benga musicians
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWZy0l6
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7. Works Cited
"Benga Music." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Nov. 2014. Web. 9
Dec. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benga_music>.
"The History Of Benga Music: A Report by Ketebul Music." Singing Wells.
Web. 9 Dec. 2014. <http://www.singingwells.org/stories/the-history-of-
benga-music-a-report-by-ketebul-music/>.
