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Artist
Jabali Afrika
12+ albums
Keswasub-saharan africanEast Africansub-saharan
about
JABALI AFRIKA originates from East Africa's Kenya. The band's original sound, however, is attributed to its own unique mixture and special fusion of African rhythms. This is a truly multi-faceted band whose members are not only adept at composing songs, playing a variety of instruments, and blending their voices into a harmonious sound but, are also talented dancers and choreographers. The band's origin can be traced to the Kenya National Theatre Dance Troupe. In 1993, feeling unnecessarily censored, some of the members of the troupe became dissatisfied with the choices in their repertoire. In their frustration, Joseck Asikoye, Victor Elolo,Justo Otongo, Evans Chagala and Robert Owino broke away from the troupe and formed what is known as JABALI AFRIKA. The name was picked because the word Jabali is Kiswahili (Kenya's national language) for rock. This word was significant to the original members because they used to meet on a large rock in order to discuss how to advance their musical careers. Therefore, Jabali was an ideal name for the band. Since then Chagala and Owino have left the group. Through Perseverance, JABALI AFRIKA began to enjoy its first taste of success when the band was invited to play percussion in the United Radio and Television Network of Afrika (URTNA) awards. Not long after, the band launched its unique sound on Nairobi's National Talent Search (Star Search). The band went on to win the best traditional adaptation award in Kenya in December 1994. As a re