Ricky Godfrey Oyaro Mwapemba Ricky Oyaro is truly one of the first pioneers of of Godfrey Mwampembwa, pen name Gado, is the most Caroline “You don’t need an hip hop in Kenya. The strategy for most aspiring syndicated political cartoonist in East and Central African rappers of the late 1980s and early 1990s Africa, and for over two decades a contributor to the Mutoko inspirational quote my was the capture the swag of the New York City Daily Nation (Kenya), New African (U.K.), Courier frien’. You need rappers of the Golden Era. Bridging the official lan- International (France), Sunday Tribune (South Africa), Caroline Mutoko, a Kenyan media big-wig, guage of Kenya, Swahili and English were consid- Le Monde, Washington Times, Des Standard, and Ja- feminist, women rights defender, and the list goes coffee.Good Kenyan ered to be a unique skill. Especially applied harmo- pan Times. He is Kenya’s most famous political on. Caroline has many titles, all deserved. Known niously. Ricky Oyaro was one of the first Kenyan cartoonist and his neighbour, who lives just down the for her long career and outspoken personality, Coffee” artist to truly master that skill. road in State House, is President Uhuru Kenyatta many recall her radio hosting days where she (we’re here for it). Godfrey is a legend to cartoonists, boldly tackled controversial topics on her morning command the morning airwaves with a mix of love, charity In 1990, he, then a teenage singer/producer, made comedians and anyone without a voice who sees the radio show, the most famous being at Kiss 100 and brutal honesty for the issues that affect Kenyans most. the initial impact on the Kenyan music scene with injustices of the government (and to anyone with a FM. Indeed, Caroline is a quintessential radio the Hip-Hop /R&B single “Renaissance” that would sense of humour) through his refusal to be censored presenter, praised for her ability to present hard Today, Caroline still partakes in her favourite trade – talking literally create a renaissance on the then ailing Ken- and his ability to find humour in every situation. Let’s facts, boldly and with the courage that listeners boldly to those who dare listen using numerous platforms. yan music industry. The single was a radio banger admit it, with the stuff that goes on in our beloved are looking for. May have referred to her as the She is part of the media industry, in the background crew and managed to influence and spawn a slew of country, sometimes you have to laugh or go crazy. “radio queen.” She is a philanthropist who dictating the flow. aspiring Kenyan emcees, some who incorporate the Relatively recently, Gado, whose drawings generally believes in sustainability and focuses her efforts native language of Sheng, giving birth to Kenya’s put the president in less than flattering light, lost his job in the areas of education for girls and empowering multi-million dollar music industry of today. And here after 23 years at The Nation newspaper in what many women. Caroline is the first female broadcaster to we give him his well deserved props as one of the saw as a clear case of political meddling. 50nd3k4 384 grandfathers of Kenya hip hop. 50nd3k4 385 50nd3k4 384 50nd3k4 385