E-SIR'S MEMORIAL: TOP KENYAN ARTISTS HONOUR SOUTH C'S FINEST

The Carnivore experienced a one-of-a-kind event yesterday night (April 2nd) at Industry Nite’s E-Sir edition. The fallen legendary Kenyan artist who passed away 11 years ago in a tragic road accident along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, was popularly known as South C’s Finest and is still widely celebrated as a skilled flow rapper and song writer. He has also been credited for being a major pioneer in the urban Kenyan music scene and source of inspiration for most urban artists in Kenya right now.

To honour E-Sir’s memory and to take the guests though a walk down memory lane, on a fine Wednesday night, a host of Kenyan artists including E-Sir’s brother Habib, best friend Big Pin and past collaborators like Nameless, were at the Carnivore to perform E-Sir’s much-loved E-Sir songs at the special function. The list of the artists performing at the gig was intricately picked through a span of a decade-long era. They performed covers and renditions of E-Sir’s hits records.

The music performances started with Habib and Manga with “Nimefika”, E-Sir’s successful debut featuring Big Pin. It was the song that later had many refer to the artist as South C’s Finest, because it was a song done to represent his then hood: South C and crew: Pirates. Porgie Rosso acted as co-mcee alongside DNG and trust me, Porgie did a great job recounting E-Sir’s history, from his first crew to the fact that he went to a good school.

Nameless and Muthoni DQ performed together E-Sir and Nameless timeless hit “Bombaa Train”. As usual Nameless’ raspy voice stood out as he performed the lyrics with so much heart and soul, it was as if  he just wrote them yesterday “Nameless, E-Sir hatucheki na watu!” DQ’s rap skills shone in the rap. Another legendary artist who was present was Mr. Lenny who performed with Rabbit a very cool rendition of “Kamata”. My. Lenny’s vocals are still intact and Rabbit obviously was in his comfort zone, performing the rap very confidently.

Sauti Sol on the other hand were the last performers of the evening with their well-arranged rendition of E-Sir’s  “Mos Mos”. They even threw in a line from “Still the One” in “Mos Mos”: “Tulipokua primo, tulikuwa tunakupenda”. As they performed the last song of the night, there were a lot emotions hovering around Carnivore. It felt like his spirit was really in the building as revellers and media converged at the dance floor, close to the stage. A host of other celebrities and personalities came out in support of E-Sir’s legacy. Also spotted in the building were several artists and DJs including Creme de la Creme, Elani, Madtraxx, DJ Stylez, Mejja, Amani and Kris Darling. You know what would be very interesting, if the team that orchestrated that awesome event can rally artists again to do actual recording of E-Sir’s music. Just a thought!!

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