Music ~ Tedd Josiah

"If we are all buying our own stuff, it is going to create an awareness around the world and then we are going to sell in a huge way."

Tedd 2001

There are times when magic just happens, when movements are borne; when things are all just in the right place at the right time - the late 90's Nairobi was exactly one of those times. From the pioneering visionary fusing of Kenyan Urban with traditional African sounds and elements from the West - the golden age of Kenyan Hip-Hop and R&B had arrived. Tedd's hugely influential role in that movement, he says, is down to a keen ear...

"You need to have some sort of musical ability. If you can't play a musical instrument, you're handicapped due to your inability to communicate what you want from an artist"

Apart from a history of being extraordinarily good at spotting talent, he is a prolific Producer, Composer and Lyricist, often playing and composing or writing lyrics on albums he produces. His talent for video too, made him a sort of one man show in the early days...

"It's hard, I have to sit down and produce the music, then look for the finance. Go abroad, press the album. Come back, market the album, put the album in stores. Try and sell the album. Try and sell the artists. Try and get the media to respond to the artists..." (circa 2000)

His compilation album in 1998: 'Kenyan - The First Chapter' was influential in spreading the sounds of this new movement - he talks here about the concept behind it:

"For me it was an awakening of Kenya. People said it could not be done. Nobody can sing in Ragga, nobody can sing R&B, there are no good Hip-Hop, Gospel or blah blah musicians; and I said: You know what! that's all rubbish, I will put together musicians from different diasporas of the music industry in Kenya, and show you, this is the best of Kenya."

This vision and passion for bringing African music to both the African market and the rest of the world remains as strong today.

A small sample of Music Videos 1996-2008
Below is our curated playlist of YouTube vids where either Tedd or BluZebra or BluFramez are credited for music or video production or both - hope you enjoy... (and if you know of more - let me know)

Ones to look out for in the playlist:
* Best Music Video at the Chaguo La Teeniez Awards in 2008

Nonini feat Bobby Mapesa - Track: Mtoto Mzuri Remix
Released in September 2007, the video, shot by Tedd Josiah at Mash Auto garage had women in tight wet clothes, and their dance moves in slow motion. Every jiggle, every ripple in slow motion…

* Kora Music Awards Most Promising Female Artist 2002

* Kisima Awards Most Promising Female Artist 2003.

Suzanna Owiyo - Track: Atieno Sandore