Young musicians from primary schools proved that ‘age ain’t nothing but a number’, to quote a popular American R&B hit, when they presented original pop songs that would make Sauti Sol’s Bien ovate with pride, as the future of Kenyan music is bright. 

Kiranda Primary School performed a five-star backed song, Heshima Kwa Walimu, leaving the audience asking for more. 

The song is based on the rhumba rhythm and executed with unparalleled confidence and mastery of the stage.

The group carried the crowd as they sang along, and some, unable to hold, joined to dance, including visiting faculty and students from Florida State University, among them Dr Marshall Hanning, Jennifer Holmes and Rosheen Strickland. 

It climaxed with what is very close to block blockbuster Asante by breakout gospel rising star Adelite Spencer with that Orutu idiom and Otenga dance. 

Kiranda has been a rising star in the creative music scene, giving perennial rivals Migosi Primary School, who seem to be giving way after the retirement of the visionary headteacher and quintessential producer Rose Ouko. 

It is this mastery of tonal unity and harmony and warm beats that elevated them to position one after edging the ever-great Aga Khan Academy that came second with ‘A Dream of Life’ directed by maestro Philip Mbinji who has been winning the class since its inception in 2019 with the evergreen Abigael Obiero who is currently studying music at the prestigious University in China. 

Vocal prowess 

Aga Khan Academy Mombasa has steadfastly maintained its dominance in the solo, duets, as well as piano and violin classes at the festival. 

Aga Khan sisters Natasha Katana and Amaya Katana are arguably the very best vocalists at the Primary level of the festival after bagging solos and the duet classes with very high marks that can compete with any singer of their age in the world. 

Other schools that presented at the Pop Tale class include Alphax Academy, Gikomora Primary, Matirine Primary, KBA Maziwa Primary School, Resonate Elite Academy, Kebirigo Primary, Rebets Academy, Mt Olives Academy, Mweteithia Primary, St Mary’s Kanya, Carmel Catholic Utawala and Moi DEB. 

Speaking during the announcement of the results, adjudicators Elijah Adongo and Edward Omulupi noted that the class is promising, given its very originality, but the two raised concerns over pitch problems and lack of unity among the soloists and the Background Vocals (BGVs), as well as the musical sound that accompanied the music. 

“We have observed that many background vocalists are singing in unison, depriving the audience of the beauty of harmony and chords,” they said, encouraging teachers to work on performance voices to improve the class. 

Whilst education and love for the mother as well as praise for the teacher dominated this year’s Pop Talent Show class, the buttressing of the message on education and peace and the ultimate breaker of poverty was stronger in the Taarab Class. 

Performed mainly and not restricted to girls, the class attracted a full house at Hall One.

The class adapted tunes from renowned Taarab hits, injecting fresh lyrics defending the right of education for girl-child. Yet some are themed on general social values such as honesty, respect, peace, as well as hard work. 

Incidentally, all the instrumentalists in this category are boys who present 99 per cent of performers as girls. 

St Mary’s Rombo were resplendent in their white and golden Dera dress as they serenaded the audience just before Sacred Heart took over the stage with a royal indigo long flowing dress also with a touch of golden hemming. 

The latter decries sexual abuse of girls and calls for stricter rules and punishment against perpetrators. 

Little Lillies had earlier rendered a number on patriotism, urging the audience to keep the peace and concentrate on national development.

This performance from Western was rich in ascertainment and clarity of message. 

Other schools performing in this category included Isibania Mixed, Lily of the Valley, Machakos Primary, Westlands School, Resonate Elite, Ayub Akoko, Kitale School, Bakahanda, Karatina DEB, Township Muslim and Dandora I Primary Schools.