By Prudence Minayo
The music industry in Kenya is extremely competitive and requires more than just talent to remain afloat. Embarambamba is one artist who is best known for his publicity stunts than his musical talent.
The gospel artist will roll on mud, jump from trees and ride on clueless cows in a bid to pass the good word. The singer started as a secular artist before going on to become a gospel artist.
Real name
His real name is Christopher Nyangwara Mosioma.
Age and Background
The singer was born on 1st February 1988 in Keroka, Nyamira county.
Education
He attended Kierira Dok Primary School near St Augustus Academy in Kitutu Masaba Constituency.
Family
The super hyper singer is a married man and a father of five children.
Career
After completing his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, he found his calling in music.
At one point, the late former president Daniel Arap Moi was visiting Kisii for an official function when he spotted Christopher performing for him. From then on, he would skip school to perform for the late former president.
He started associating with famous artists so that he could understand why and how people got to know them. He also started working under Mr. Ong’eng’o. The well known artists had requested him to perform alongside him in an event that was likely to be attended by the late Nyachae. The name Embarambamba came while he was playing drums.
In 2007, Mr. Ongengo pushed the fast rising artist to release his first song named Ensanako Tebwati Masikani.
In 2009, he went to work with Man Pepe Sagero until 2016 when he released Amatindogoro.
Embarambamba quit the secular world for gospel music where he became a force to reckon with.
According to the artist, the switch from secular to gospel happened when he had a dream where God told him to go and sing, because he was alive and God was alive also. The first gospel song he released was Jesus is alive.
He has performed the songs with crazy-if not dangerous- dance moves. What left a lot of people perturbed was him shooting a video on muddy water. The video begins with him donned in a colorful suit pulling strange moves in a banana plantation then quickly jumps over a fence into a maize plantation before jumping and rolling aimlessly in dirty water and mud. According to the artist, when performs the holy spirit lands in him and gives him the extra strength and that his moves are not premeditated.
Controversies
Embarambamba theatrics seemingly have no limits. A video of the musician jumping on a young lady and humping on her several times has caused quite a stir on social media. The artist was performing in an unnamed club along Thika road. Kenyans of all walks of life lambasted the gospel artist for behaving in an ungodly manner. News anchor was among the first to condemn the artist for his actions:
I am highly embarrassed by @embarambamba
as one of those who offered him Support including interviewing him on a decent National platform.
The video going round is dirty , not anywhere close to what he purports to be :- A gospel Artist.Picture: Courtesy pic.twitter.com/pPClsKAP8m
— Lofty Matambo (@loftymatambo) May 24, 2021
Ex-Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Ezekiel Mutua was equally critical of the video:
The issue is not that Embarambamba is a gospel singer doing secular stuff. That’s a personal matter. The issue is that the video is explicit and amounts to indecent exposure!
— Dr. Ezekiel Mutua, MBS (@EzekielMutua) May 25, 2021
While others made fun of Embarambaba:
We need to at least celebrate Embarambaba,He has stopped climbing trees and is now climbing people.What an improvement.Look at life from the positive side.
— Babu Owino (@HEBabuOwino) May 25, 2021
Embarambaba came out to defend his actions saying Kenyans have judged and insulted him without taking time to listen to the message of the song he was perfoming.
“Wakenya wamenihukumu, wakenya wamenitusi, mafans wangu wamekasirika wengine wakisema eti mimi sijaokoka. Lakini wakenya wenzangu, hii video, kabla hujacommend, angalia statement yake kwanza….
The energetic musician went on to defend his actions saying that even Jesus came into this world to save sinners so that they would be reborn and know the good ways of the Lord.
Tribute to late President Mwai Kibaki
An emotional Embarambamba released Tufanyeje, in remembrance to our departed President Mwai Kibaki. In his typical modus operandi, the artist-in a badly tattered suit- climbs on banana trees, rolls in mud as he sings: “Kibaki ohhh. Kibaki umeenda wapi? Umefuata Moi (Where have you gone, Kibaki? You have followed Moi).”
According to Embarambamba, he has been banned from performing in all government functions ‘because he would cause tension’. The man from Kisii continues to ride high with his antics as he continues to ask:
“Kifo umechukua Kibaki wapi [Death where have you taken Kibaki]?”
