Track of the Day: ‘Kothbiro’ by Ayub Ogada

Released in 1993 on his album En Mana Kuoyo, the track is sung in Dholuo, the language of the Luo people of Western Kenya. It is an adaption of a traditional song, and first featured in the repertoire of a rock band which he formed in high school called Black Savage.

As with all of his songs, Ayub accompanies his singing with an instrument called the nyatiti lyre, which culturally is considered to be a woman. “When you start to play this instrument, you practically get married,” he once said. “She won’t like you to play another instrument. Suits me fine; I’m happily married.”

Over the years, the song has received widespread recognition through its popularity on film and TV soundtracks. It featured in The Constant Gardener (2006), NBC’s The Philanthropist,  the Rio 2016 Olympics Opening Ceremony, and a Guinness advertising campaign throughout Africa.

A sample of Black Savage’s recording of ‘Kothbiro’ appears on Kanye West’s song ‘Yikes’, released earlier this month, introducing Ayub’s music to a generation of hip hop fans.