RAMADHAN TSUMA

NITETEE.

Today we talk about royalty, Ramadhan Tsuma's versatility as an artist, highlighting his successful career as an actor, singer/songwriter, dancer and a poet. His notable accomplishments and his upcoming project Nitetee under Dowe Music. Ramza has been in the art industry for 3 years  professionally under  Rift theatres production.

 He has appeared in numerous successful films, playing roles such as Sultan in a musical play Aladdin a McTedEnt Production staged at Nakuru Players Theatre on 2nd and 3rd Dec 2022, he has also acted in set books such as Blossoms of the Savanna, The Pearl, Chozi la Heri, and Kigogo which he and his team performed at Langalanga high school, Njoro boys, Kirobon Boys, and Kericho High school. 

Ramadhan Tsuma is also know for his philanthropy particularly in areas of Environment where he has actively participated in climate change activisms under the community based organization  Talk to save Youth. he has on several occasions such as World Aids day facilitated the drug and substance abuse awareness program in Rvist, Kikopey Sec School, Kaptembwo, Koinange and Heshima Primary schools. One of his major work has been Talanta na Amani program spreading peace under Sarakasi Trust sponsored by the American Spaces which has seen him actively work on various projects for the betterment of the society.

His upcoming project Nitetee set to be released soon is a simple and melodic song that express a deep sense of humility and gratitude with a focus on creating a peaceful and meditative atmosphere. 

The Executive Director  McTed Entertainment, Jacob Endurance simply describes Ramza as not just a simple entertainer but also a true artist who uses art to spread love and encourage diversity and unity through his music. He inspires other artists to grow in the right direction.

Published by Mercy Mitei.

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Burning Incense(Piano and Voice REHEARSAL)

I remember with nostalgia my life at Campus. This song was birthed at Masinde Muliro University during undergraduate studies. There were four of us who discovered our love for and gifting in Music. We did most of our stuff together and I remember the consitent prayer schedules we had every Thursday night, from 8PM and rehearsals for Sundays. After campus, we dispersed into different cities both literally and metaphorically because we are now Fathers! We recorded an album and this tune was one of my compositions that I still wonder how new it becomes each time I sing it. Well, at the time we were not so good with marketing essentials leave alone digital life. We distributed all the CDs(Mostly free), till presently none of us has any. This photo shows the four of us, the night it was taken was when we had a worship Night with the above song as the theme...should I say people came to me asking for a link and name of the worship band behind the song?

From Left: Jose, Myk, Douglas and Hoseah, 2012/13

Yesterday as I was thinking about how sickly the world looks currently, I was in a spontaneous worship hour where songs just flow as I play an instrument while singing. One of our new students had come to say goodbye as we shut down physical lessons following COVID_19 directive by the government (and of course sane conscience). I could hear her sing out some of the songs she knew. Since most of my compositions are normally congregational (or easy to follow), Burning Incense caught her easily. Today morning she sent me a message giving thanks for the worship session saying her spirit was lifted. My prayer is that everyone of us will use what we've got to give hope, lift up and offer solutions in whatever area of life we are gifted in. As you listen and even join in this song, may you find healing in whichever area of life.

The effect of this song in my life is indescribable. However, let me keep it simple. In the evening, we had a scheduled recording with yet a former Student_Milcah. She's one of the background vocalists in the upcoming album-Mimi na Wewe . Being a student from the former college I used to train, she just knew me as a msic trainer and not a worship leader. And the fact that the album we are doing is on general themes mostly about Africa and mental health, I was not surprised to hear this:

"So you don't do worship music enh?"

From Left: Milcah, Douglas, Judith and Lucy, 2020

I started to explain then realized that was a waste of time.I just sang the song and discovered a video was being taken. Let me skip the "wows" and just say, I had to do it again, with her back up and recording the audio a little professionally.  what you see up there is the  outcome. 

We are grateful for the journey we have made so far and the fact that our recording studio is up and running and giving as the opportunity to record good music is a blessing we can not gainsay. A midst the anguish that the world may be in, we hold on to faith that we shall overcome. Stay put pal!

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New Waters!

Good Morning World! We are hardly ten nights into the year and if the 12 months were just the 12 hours of the day, it's true that some chaps would still be snoring as it is just dawning. Have you ever wondered what life would be like if we didn't have these figures that help us get swallowed into the pomp of seasonal changes? I tend to think some people would never achieve a thing since they are great friends (or slaves?) of procrastination. Well, I didn't wake up today to bore anyone with abstract statements of 'what if...what if not...,' Let us take a reflection
of 2019.

For the sake of schemers and very busy individuals, it was a great year! For lovers of stories and the curious ones like myself, well, may I indulge you in our nostalgic journey of the past 53 weeks at Dowe Music & Arts. Before any further unfolding of the stories, we take this opportunity to thank all students and parents of last year for being a great cohort. The reason we chose the title for this post is because it was a year we did many things that had never been there earlier on. Most importantly was the database development that will enable us keep records of our students not only in this season but for years to come. Every student now has an ID number that is unique basing on the year and the instrument being learnt.  Change is not normally easy, and seeing that in some places around here formal registration is not common for short courses like music, we can't thank our clients enough for complying and that means our records will be fine on-wards.

Who was the most outstanding student? In 2018, we started thinking about expanding to Nairobi. It wasn't clear how we'd do it and we decided not to read books or watch tutorials about new market entry strategies. Simply, one of us had to sacrifice half of the week, leaving Nakuru's serenity and hygiene for a fast paced, mind-your-business-no-body-cares Nairobi City in search of our niche. Long story short, that was a bold, crazy but a worthwhile decision. We have so far trained 12 students over the weekend and are already enrolling the new class for January-April term.

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This is the decision that helped us meet Lorna Mutegi (mage at the top), a Management Consultant by profession. She just saw a poster on social media and reached out. Unlike many cases where one calls and the usual "I'll get back when ready" comes by, Ms. Lorna called when ready. The lessons started the following day. We learnt about her love for Indie Music and the passion for Guitar. One month into the lessons, she got a transfer to Kakamega County! Normally, in the experience we've had, most students get so destabilized that lessons have to be put on hold for a year which in rare cases one resumes.

 For Lorna, it was just a matter of "give me this weekend to settle and we'll resume," If I am guessing right, your question is, "So you sent another staff to Kakamega?" The answer is an emphatic no. We have an online conferencing class that caters for students outside Nairobi and Nakuru. Well, for the longest time since 2015, this has been for our students in Uganda and Tanzania. Sometimes people can be skeptical about the online learning and so we rarely mention it especially to the Kenyan Market. Partly they are right, but if one was to engage us, perhaps the perception would change. We proceeded with real-time video lessons for the rest of the two months till a small break came in for the holidays. 

We are back on and Lorna is finishing Level 1 Guitar lessons in 4 weeks time. This means she can sight read, has mastered useful strumming patterns, has a grasp on Chord Families and by February, she can confidently perform in your event! What more can we say? Congratulations Lorna and we're happy our paths crossed! Your brand New Capo, Electric Tuner and a set of New Guitar strings await you at the center! She becomes the Second student to receive this award after Sonia in 2018. Will you be the next?

Right from the first Art4Leadership Concert in January, throughout the Touch a Soul event during the Valentines day just after Dowe Music Band gracing YEPI's event organized by Mr. Amani Katana in Mombasa, to the Mzalendo concert and lastly the HustleConcert that culminated into a video shoot of the song with the very title, we can only say that ours is an upward, in-depth progress that has been made possible through the unwavering faith, resilience and a desire to make Africa smile again.

It is also a year that the venture's CEO has received awards and gotten opportunities to represent us in Italy and Ghana respectively. Dowe Music has been called upon to perform in Nationally recognized events due to the original compositions from Mr. Ogutu that evoke a spirit of patriotism, selflessness, purpose-driven life and above all songs, poems and speeches that inspire reverence to the Almighty God. One such organization that has given us immense support and a platform is Emerging Leaders Foundation headed by Ms. Caren Wakoli. Seeing that our message of Africa's transformation through positive leadership change is being embraced by initiatives such as Good Governance Festival that took place at Central park where youths sang along "No To Poor Leadership" by Douglas is an encouragement to us.

I paused for a moment and just read through what I have written and what I can say is, if the addition of a year into our lives means a forward match, there is no shadow of doubt that 2020 is by Godspeed a year of even deeper waters. Shall you sail with us?

The author of this post is a staff member at 

Dowe Music &Arts. 

You can reach him through email: 

douglas@dowemusicarts.com

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Music is A Language: My Experience in Ghana

Douglas with a copy of High Life Time 3

Ebo Tylor receiving an exemplary award

There's so much talent in Africa that I think if we had the right civilization to utilize it, there is no continent richer than this cradle of mankind. Two weeks ago I was privileged to attend ACCES conference organised by Music in Africa hosted in Accra Ghana. Chale (Ghanaian icebreaker term for Friend),there is music in this continent, and there's so much authenticity in West African bands that one can only admire. What is taking so long for the society to embrace art as a legit profession and a source of income? Why are we forcing ourselves to be aligned with the Western Style and  end up revamping the cliche of  'Starving artistes?' Right from the first performance on the night of 28th November 2019 by the legendary Ebo Tylor to the last night epic presentation of the Mokoomba band from Zimbabwe, I am still nursing the imaginations that this conference brought my way with the likes of FRA Band!

Yaa Yaa with the writer after a short interview

Yes, I mean it when I say nursing because consumption of works of art for me happens consciously unlike food where I delegate the duty to my enzymes and intestines. I could only but admire the high level of competence that was graced by great communication skills (non-verbal) among the players on stage.The drummer, guitarist, singer and/or the violinist knows exactly where to stop, start and continue! Without Music Sheets! Oh, that we would mimic this kind of collaboration, teamwork skills and trust in our endeavors as young Africans in the daily struggles for change in this continent. Wouldn't Africa be miles ahead?

As I observed the bands play, I imagined the hours of practice invested in the works. I wondered whether or not these young people have 8-5 jobs and doubted if that excellence can be achieved by occasional meetups where someone comes only at convenient times. Then it dawned on me that all these bands were international stars and that means a 'formal employment' might not be their cup of tea. They would be branded incompetent and lazy. These are people who have gone against all odds, and decided to work on their brands and it's no wonder they are shining. I hope you as my reader (not just musicians) are learning something about success.

Kyekyeku

During the day, there were a lot of workshops and seminars that at one point made me struggle with choosing what to participate in. When I mentioned above that the musicians play so well from memory and not sight reading, the point has nothing to do with them not valuing education. In the main hall was John Collins, a Ghanaian of British Decent and Kyekeku (Pronounced as Checheku), a renowned guitarist and a band leader enlightening us on the history of Music in Ghana. I have to confess that that was the first time I came across the term High Life Music. I was appalled by how a 'normal' guitarist can be so rich in history, understanding music theory and customizing it in the African context. I am more confident that Africa is rich! The discussion and the short presentation of the early music in the country was enticing enough for me to purchase the 600 page book (The most Expensive text I've ever bought) by John Collins entitled "HIGH LIFE TIMES."

A moment with Ghanaian Promoter, Katinkah

Partners such as Boom Play, Appraise music store helped enlighten us on the marketing strategy for musicians. Theirs was a general call that live streaming is a disruptive business technology that every musician needs to be aware of, if indeed they want to succeed commercially. When was the last time you bought a CD, or as a musician, how are the CD sales so far?

Ladies and Gentlemen, brothers and sisters, chale, I fell in love. I fell in love with Yaa Yaa's music! I have to confess that sometimes I feel that I am the odd one out. I get an invite to a big event (Well not so big as I am yet to be that famous here) and all artistes have come with playbacks which they sing along and act like DJs. You know, that feeling you get that you are the odd one out and since our audience is okay with that, your performance looks like one from Mars if not Pluto. As a string player, you play carefully because if your string
happens to snap, none of the artistes will come to your rescue. Wasn't it fun when this happened during the performances and the lead guitarist asked for a nother guitar while his was being tuned and trust me, except for music nerds like me, no one could notice.

Yaa Yaa on stage

YAA YAA(BertherBridget Kankam), comes on stage and introduces the percussion with her majestic art on the tom drum. I saw great energy especially when she psyches her team in dancing to the original compositions that everyone would join in regardless of whether or not you know the language. We had a chat the following day and something struck me. Well, not all, but for a few that I've met, when an artiste gets to perform in such a high end event, they at most have a minute for you, and sadly, it's normally, "Hi, I'm good!" I managed an interview with Yaa Yaa and there's so much wisdom that I will share in an exclusive post to come.

A group of guitarists and 
composers/producers consulting

 This post won't mean a thing if I don't talk about the respected legend Obrafour when it comes to rap music in Ghana. His original name is Michael Elliot Kwabena Okyere Darko.  Prior to his coming, we were in a workshop with producers. This was a continuation of the presentations each one of us was giving on our works. I got to showcase my piece on forgiveness which you can get by clicking on the link Msamaha This was termed as very emotional by the audience among whom was a lead HipHop Producer, Mr. Koffi. One can only wonder the power of music. That the mind can decipher a psychological piece even without words is just a miracle. That is when I got to learn a lot on film scoring that has been part of my desire for as long as I can remember. BY the way, some days to come I will be starring! Now, people were not ready to break for lunch lest they miss a seat to hear Obrafour. 

Time elapsed, entered a short man, with a hat covering clean but very dark long dreadlocks almost reaching his waist. The room became frighteningly silent and he began to talk. Now I am fond of writing the main points from speeches; it turned out I was going to be writing everything! With the release of yesterdays Wajinga Nyinyi by the Kenyan rapper King Kaka, now I know that RAP just means Rythmic African Poetry as defined by Obrafour.  Never had I heard a successful rapper speak in a humble manner, attributing his success to God and when asked how he manages to write epic pieces he said; 

I am a student of the Bible. My mother brought me up training me in the fear of the almighty God. I took that up. In my work, I reckon that I am speaking to families and so, dignity is important, I need to inspire generations (Paraphrase).

Douglas in ACCES studio on collaborations

This popped  open a section in my mind that was blocked years ago as I joined High School. I composed a lot of songs and some of them were pieces for rap. Sadly, none of them got an extra ear because the role models I'd have wanted to look upto were just profane. Either about sex, alcohol or drugs. If you are in Kenya, find out hip hop artists in Kenya around 2004 and beyond. Since then, I wouldn't listen to a Hip-hop piece until after campus but still, getting my hands on writing rap gave me chills. Maybe, it's time!
As always, making friends is a good thing to help one appreciate diversity. The show was over and I had friends back where I was staying. The names I remember( I am poor with names at first instances) are Maiu Pachamama and Ibrahim. Perhaps because they were my company at the beach. The photos below include them and a few others at the residence.

The writer at the Ghana
Academy of Arts and Sciences

 I am sure, those who know me have been wondering how I got there, because Ghana is miles away. My gratitude goes to Music In Africa for giving me the opportunity to participate and Prince Clause Fund for facilitating my travel and accommodation. Thank you for reading!

The writer is and artiste at and founder of Dowe Music &Arts as well as the pioneer of Art4Leadership.

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Touch A Soul: 2019 Valentine Edition

Touch A Soul Banner Made By
Activate Graphic Solutions

Dowe Music & Arts Team with the children

With all the fuss on social media about the men’s conference on Valentines Day, we at Dowe Music visited beautiful souls in one of the slum areas in Nakuru. Located off town just near the Lake Nakuru Game park is a home with a courageous woman. Elizabeth (a.k.a Mama Ng’endo) is a lady full of compassion and love for the less fortunate. She houses sixteen abandoned children by either irresponsible beings of a human or because of the cruel hand of death.

Soon after our expedition at the coast last week, we embarked on a fund drive to facilitate the visit. Well, before I delve much into this, I must mention that this visit became more relevant because of the Human Centered Design approach we applied. By Thursday, earlier week, we had not yet found a suitable orphanage to visit. Bu suitable I mean a place where we would get all the children at the same time. Most of them had some children in boarding school.

I was privileged to participate in the MWF 2019 interview. It happened that the panelist came late. Instead of each of us minding our own business and rehearsing what to say as it always happens in most job interviews, I told the group of five sharp looking ladies and one Gentleman to turn the chairs around. We did our introduction and that’s how I knew Susan.

Susan

Susan is a soft spoken lady graced with empathy for the underprivileged. Despite having growing up in a middle class family and currently having a good job (Things I came to learn later after the visit), one can only wonder why and how she has a heart to take occasional visits to Mama Ng’endo and do shopping for the children. It was after everyone had shared their stories that I told Susan about my interest in her visits to the home.

For the past one year, I have come to appreciate the power of story-telling and connecting with people. Little was it known to me that the lateness of our panelists (We all know that it is not in an American to be late) was a divine chance for me to make contacts with great change makers. Thankfully, I have contacts of all of them: Orpah, a volunteer with G-Unite, Sakuda a founder of a High School, Birir a fellow Yali Nakuru Alumni and the founder of Go Green and Linda.

Back to the top story. We did chat with Susan and on asking how we might help the home, she had every detail on her fingertips. Normally, we always think of bringing clothes and sadly (or is it fate), those that are torn and want someone to take them instead of turning them into dusters. Susan gave me a list of things that the home was in dire need. On top of the list was that there’s a need for well- wishers and sponsors to help Elizabeth educate the children. Well, this would be beyond our scope as our company has barely broken even and it’s still taking off. However, what if by you reading this story you can give it a shot. You can get our contacts at the Dowe Music &Arts website.

Reaching out to the current class of students, they suggested a budget so we can do a one-month shopping. I was so excited for a bout ten seconds then a thought came. Who was going to foot that? These young people? Long story short, we set a target which was surpassed by about $20 (Ksh.2000). We are grateful to everyone including friends of Dowe Music &Arts (Those who are neither alumni or current students) for the support you gave.

Elizabeth "Mama Ng'endo at her home,
Sewage Area, Nakuru

We arrived safely on Thursday evening, 14 of February.  Mama Ng’endo gave a story that made all of us appreciate life. Her husband was brutally murdedered in 2007during the Post- Election Violence. They found his lifeless body lying in a trench. Well, I have been preaching peace and singing about it for long but for once I felt a deeper unction to do this more and more.

She picked up herself and thought about life and what lessons God had for her in the new status of widowhood. A thought of taking care of orphaned children came in. Being a Christian, she thought so little about her meagre resources and how she would cater for the children. Elizabeth narrated how sometimes she wakes up to a toddler as young as a month old abandoned at her doorstep. This was so heart breaking especially as I remembered Susan telling me a testimony of how a child was almost dying of malnutrition and now she was a bundle of joy, months later, in the hands of Mama Ng’endo!

After introduction and short speeches from both the visitors and the host, we had an awesome moment of acoustic guitar music. Our repertoire was graced with Paul Clement’s Amani, Angel Benard’s Siteketei and Kuliko Jana by Sauti Sol. This was the first for one of our students. As we went back to office, Ms. Waigi had a comment to make.

 I didn’t know it’s this nice to help someone less fortunate…thank you so much for organizing this.

Touch a Soul will be here again in a year’s time. Remember, at any point in life, there is always someone less privileged than you. Dare to touch a soul!

The writer of this post is the founder of 

Dowe Music & Arts and the 

frontier of Art4Leadership. 

He is a Yali Alumni based in Nakuru.

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START OFF WITH PEACE: Art4Leadership

Mitchelle and Faith Before the performance

Dowe Music & Arts Students 

 Without any shadow of doubt whatsoever, 2019 is a great year. We are so grateful for those who supported us in the just ended 2018. Amidst it’s ups and downs, we pulled through and now here we are, going strong!

On January 12, 2019 Douglas, the director of Dowe Music & Arts joined other passionate youths as a participant of Cohort 6 in a leadership training that will take place between January and March this year. The first session was on self-awareness and it is a good report from the fellows that the facilitators did their job well. We are also grateful that it is in this event that the song No To Poor Leadership got airplay and it being a simple tune, everyone sang along joyfully.

We are joining YALI’s theme for the year #LeadingforImpact as we shall be organizing Art4Leadership events more prepared and seasoned for the same. It’s a brilliant year and we can not operate below the standard.

Starting us off was an event at the American Corner on SOCIAL INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY. The facilitators were Joseph Njinju (YALI Alumni) and Douglas Ogutu. He reminded young people that at the very basic essence, every one should be treated as first human and then  the rest can follow.

Joseck, Yali Alumnus Welcoming youths

From Dowe Music & Arts, the song Different Colors by the late Lucky Dube was tweaked a little and you can only admire how the young people echoed the line, We are ALL Kenyans. It is our hope that this message will keep ringing in the participants’ heads until they influence all their circles to embrace love, peace and harmony.

On Thursday 24^th 2019, it was a glamorous day of starting off our Art4Leadership Concerts. Held at the Knls Nakuru, the event was in partnership with the American Corner, Mid rift Human Rights Network and The YALI Network. The main Speaker, Mrs. Winnie Machila, the head teacher of Milimani Primary School gave a motherly advice to young people to embrace peace. She challenged all an sundry that if we all cultivated peace, vices such as corruption would find it hard to sprout.

Mrs. Machila Addressing Youths

The musical performances as well as poetry from the Dowe music Team was all about peace love and harmony. Through the easy-to-learn own compositions, the audience couldn’t help but sing through as they pick up the challenge posed. The resolution for all the participants was that peace is everyone’s role. Dear reader, do you mind taking up the individual task in upholding peace.

The writer is the founder of Dowe Music & Arts

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Success Never Stoops

Success never stoops,
She always stands,
You must arise,
She sets standards
There are choices,
Ending with consequences,
I hope you'll embrace
Life without shortcuts

Looking beyond looks,
There are opportunities,
Benchmarked with goals
Success never stoops
C'mon boys girls
Power's within us
See beyond boundaries
Grab them fortunes

There're coming days
 You want sunrise?
Then hard-working​ pays
Success never stoops
#NewagePoetry
#dowemusic&arts
#knlsnakuru

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