Abbas Kubaff

Last updated

Abbas Kubaff
Birth nameAndrew Kabiru Karuku
Born (1978-01-08) 8 January 1978 (age 46)
Kariobangi, Kenya
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active1995–present
Website www.abbaskubaff.com

Andrew Kabiru Karuku (born 8 January 1978), popularly known as Abbas Kubaff, is a Kenyan hip hop artist who was raised in the Kariobangi South, Nairobi. As a member of the rap group K-South, and later as a solo artist, Abbas has shaped and pioneered rap music in East Africa from the in 1995. K-South was a trio formed by Abbas, his brother KC and neighborhood friend Bamboo. The group split in 2005 after KC went missing and Bamboo move to the United States. [1] As a solo artist Abbas is famous for hit songs such as "Chapaa" and "Tokelezea". He won a Chaguo La Teeniez Awards award in 2008 and a Golden Mic award in 2011. In 2006, Kubaff released his debut album Angabanga. He has toured extensively in Europe and has performed in Nairobi as the opening act for Coolio, Lost Boyz, Maxi Priest and Akon. [2] In 2014 he released his fourth studio album known as Ghettoholic. [3]

Contents

Discography

Personal life

Abbas is twice divorced. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Kenya</span>

The music of Kenya is very diverse, with multiple types of folk music based on the variety over 50 regional languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenyan hip hop</span> Overview of hip hop in Kenya

Kenyan hip hop is a genre of music and a culture that covers various forms and sub-genres of hip hop and rap originating from Kenya. It is most commonly a combination of Swahili and English as well as Sheng and a variety of tribal languages.

Hubert Mbuku Nakitare, commonly known by his stage name Nonini, is a Kenyan rapper and former radio presenter. He is often referred to as the Godfather because he is very well known.

K-South was a Kenyan hip-hop duo made up of "Bamboo" and "Doobeez'", now known as "Abbas Kubaff". Founded in 1995, K-South is among the most notable pioneers of the genre in Kenya. The name is an abbreviation of Kariobangi South, the Nairobi neighbourhood where they were based. The group used both English and Swahili raps in their music.

Harrison Mungai "Harry" Kimani is a Kenyan musician and composer.

Swabri Mohammed, better known by his stage name Redsan, is a Kenyan reggae and ragga musician. He is one of the most renowned ragga and dancehall artists in East Africa. His popularity has extended to the rest of Africa, parts of Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jua Cali</span> Kenyan Genge Artist

Paul Julius Nunda, better known by his stage name Jua Cali, is a Kenyan rapper and record producer. In 2000, together with record producer Clemo, he founded Calif Records where he has been ever since, producing music which dominated East African music alongside Jose Chameleone of Uganda and Mr. Nice of Tanzania. Jua Cali performs in Swahili and Sheng in a popular Kenyan style of rapping called genge.

Simon Kimani, more popularly known as Bamboo, is an MC who represents Kenya and lives in New York City. He was raised in Inglewood, California by parents of East African descent, and at the age of 17, his parents sent him to Nairobi, Kenya to eschew the potentially dangerous life they feared he might have if he stayed in Inglewood. Bamboo transferred the success he was beginning to have in California to Nairobi, acquiring a record deal and producing his first album, Nairoberry, with his group K-South in 2001. He formed the record label Project 254 in Nairobi with Kenyan emcees Tim Waindi and Attitude. Bamboo is also a member of the record label The Grass Company, and he states that he intends to re-record a previously released album "exactly the way [they] did it in Kenya but now with state-of-the-art equipment" in Atlanta, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RedOne</span> Moroccan songwriter, record producer and record executive (born 1972)

Nadir Khayat, also known as RedOne, is a Moroccan-Swedish record producer, record executive, singer and songwriter. He has worked in production for high-profile recording artists including Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Mariah Carey, One Direction, and Usher, among others. His credits include several hit songs on Billboard and international charts; pop, rock, R&B, house, hip hop, and dance music are his frequented musical genres. He established his namesake record label in 2010.

Just a Band is a Kenyan alternative band whose career was launched with their 2008 debut album, Scratch to Reveal. Their music has explored various musical directions such as jazz, hip-hop, disco, and electronica. The band are credited with creating Kenya's first viral music video after their 2010 music video for "Ha-He!"—featuring fictional Kenyan superhero-inspired protagonist Makmende—sparked countrywide interest.

Kleptomaniax is a rap group from Nairobi, Kenya. The group consists of three members: Roba, Collo and Nyashinski.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimwat</span> Kenyan rapper (born 1985)

James "Jim" Wathigo "Wat" Mburu,, better known by his stage names Jimwat and Jimweezy, is a Kenyan genge rapper.

Camp Mulla was an alternative hip hop group originating from and based in Nairobi, Kenya. The group rose to prominence with the release of their single "Party Don't Stop" on 31 August 2010, with that and their subsequent works earning them a nomination for Best International Act (Africa) at the 2012 BET Awards. Following the release of their debut studio album, Funky Town, the group's lead singer Karun and rapper Taio both left the group to pursue higher education and solo careers. In September 2017 the main four members announced their reunion at The Wave performance at the Waterfront, Ng'ong racecourse, but soon after disbanded again. The group's musical style, fashion sense and origins have drawn comparisons to The Black Eyed Peas, while they have also been criticised for making "bubblegum music".

Daniel Lubwama Kigozi is a Ugandan rapper and record producer. Starting off his career, he was part of the award-winning hip hop group Klear Kut, along with fellow rappers The Mith & JB, that introduced the term "Ugaflow" to describe Uganda's hip hop scene. Navio is best known for his successful solo career with hits such as "Ngalo", "Bugumu", "One & Only", and "On and On".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otile Brown</span> Kenyan singer and songwriter

Jacob Obunga popularly known as Otile Brown is a Kenyan independent Kunizia singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor. He gained media attention after the release of his hit single "Imaginary Love" which features Khaligraph Jones. He released his debut studio album, in April 2017. The album was supported by the singles "Basi", "Alivyonipenda", "Shujaa Wako", "DeJavu" and "Aiyolela". Brown had also collaborated with artists such as Sanaipei Tande, Okangasto, Barakah The Prince, King Kaka, Volvexzshawa, ruby among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naiboi</span> Kenyan singer, recording artist and producer

Michael Kennedy Claver professionally known as Naiboi, is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, record executive, and entrepreneur. In 2014, he made the switch from being solely a music producer, under the moniker Rapdamu, to a recording artist, and with the switch came a change of name to Naiboi. His collaborative records, “Welle Welle” in 2014 featuring Timmy Tdat and “Daktari” 2015 featuring Frasha gained him notoriety and recognition in the Kenyan music scene as a recording artiste of note.

Odi pop is a Kenyan music style which involves localized hip hop and draws influences from reggae and Dancehall music to build on an African Rhythm base performed in sing-along rap in heavy Kiswahili/Sheng language. There are several sub-genres stemming from this umbrella term including Gengeton, Dabonge, Debe and others. The music is spearheaded by Kenyan youths and most of them are pursuing their careers as music groups opposed to solo careers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khaligraph Jones</span> Kenyan rapper

Brian Ouko Omollo, popularly known by his stage name Khaligraph Jones, is a Kenyan rapper known for his hit singles "Mazishi" and "Yego". He released his debut full-length studio album Testimony 1990 in June 2018. Khaligraph Jones has achieved numerous awards during his career. He was nominated for 'Best Male Artist' at the 2018 Afrimma Awards, won 'Best Hip Hop Artist' at the 2020 Afrimma Awards, and was nominated for 'Best International Act' at the 2020 BET Awards.

Mark Makora Mbogo, known professionally as KayCyy or KayCyy Pluto, is a Kenyan-American rapper, singer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyashinski</span> Kenyan musician

Nyamari Ongegu, known professionally as Nyashinski, is a Kenyan rapper singer and songwriter. He is a co-founding member of the hip-hop trio Kleptomaniax before successfully launching his solo career during the 2010s. His 2020 full-length debut album Lucky You demonstrated his lyrical skills and songwriting talents, encompassing lighter, more uplifting songs as well as aggressive street tracks.

References

  1. "Abbas and Bamboo, Retracing K-South duo". Pulse. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  2. "Artists across Berlin, Germany and Nairobi, Kenya have collaborated in the compilation titled BLNRB". Fact Mag. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  3. "This man Abbas Kubaff". Pulse. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  4. "Kenyan rapper Abbas Kubaff welcomes baby girl". Kiss 100. Retrieved 7 February 2016.