Wainaina first stepped into the world of music with Five Alive, a gospel a cappella group. Five Alive consisted of Victor Seii, Bob Kioko, Chris Kamau, and David Mageria, who was replaced by Joe Kiragu. They drew their musical influence from Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Take 6. Dominating Kenya's airwaves in 1995, Five Alive released their debut album ‘Five Alive’ in 1996, and even went on to tour Europe the same year. His experience with the group convinced Wainaina to pursue a professional career in music. In 1996 he performed and appeared in the video for Get in the Driver’s Seat, a song commissioned by the United Nations Drug Control Programme for a highly successful anti-drug campaign spanning 20 countries. This not only set the stage for his eventual emergence as a solo artist, but also got him into the social concern and activism that characterizes much of his music
When the group disbanded in 1997, Wainaina went on to join the Berklee College of Music in Boston—USA, from which he graduated with a degree in Music, majoring in Songwriting and Record Engineering. He graduated with honours.
During his years at Berklee, Wainaina and his band traveled to different parts of the country to perform, as well as holding regular shows in Boston. Together with his producer, Christian Kaufmann, he worked to produce a sound that would be distinctively Kenyan both in the music and the content of the lyrics. In order to do this, he made sure that he released a new track every time he returned home for vacation, This was well received by his growing fanbase, with his performance at Kenya's 'Beats of the Season’ concert in December 2000 being watched live by 15,000 fans and broadcast nationally.
His notable releases include 'Kenya Only', a song that instantly made him Kenya's favourite modern musician. After the 1998 terrorist bombing in Nairobi where over 200 Kenyans lost their lives, 'Kenya Only' was adopted as the unofficial song of mourning, receiving extensive radio and TV airplay nation-wide. His adaptation of a Kikuyu folk tune 'Ritwa Riaku' was added to the playlist of every radio station in the nation soon after.
Wainaina returned to the top of Kenya's musical agenda after he released 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo' (‘Land of Small Things’ in Kiswahili)[refers to small bribes that once were required to get the most ordinary things done] in 2001, a song that launched his crusade against rampant corruption in the country. With the chart success of 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo', Wainaina received international accolades. Transparency International (Kenya) supported him as an artist who would help educate people on the negativity of corruption, appointing him an ambassador. He was also appointed Ambassador for the NGO MS Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission and by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights for his commitment to fighting the abuses to justice through music. This anthem against corruption (Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo) was not so highly appreciated in all quarters, however, with the government of the day putting up resistance to it by refusing to air it on the national broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. In one instance several attempts were made to keep him from performing at a national event, the Kenya Music Festival, including intimidation and attempts to switch off his microphone.
Following the suspicious death of Father Anthony Kaiser in 2003 , Wainaina was commissioned by the Mill Hill Fathers to write a song about this. This became Ukweli, a call for justice despite efforts that were being made to cover up the true nature of Father Kaiser’s death, which was reported as suicide despite strong evidence to the contrary.
In 2001, Africa Almanac.com listed him amongst the top 100 Africans of the year 2000, which included high profile names such as Nelson Mandela, Joseph Kabila, Yash Pal Ghai, Baaba Maal and Ousmane Sembène. His first record, Sawa Sawa, released in 2001, remains one of the highest-selling solo albums in the country.
Wainaina returned home from Berklee in August 2002 after his graduation with two degrees. He was also honored with the Jack Maher award for his exceptional performance as a songwriter. The annual award is given to students who have been recognized for their potential to become leaders in the international music industry.
Wainaina's music receives international appeal. He received the MNET (South Africa) award for favourite male vocalist in February 2001, and was one of the first Kenyans to receive an award for Best East African Artist at the pan-African 7th Annual KORA All Africa Music Awards on 2nd November 2002. He is also the only Kenyan artist to have performed live at the KORA ceremony. He was nominated for another KORA Award in 2003, and in 2005 he received his third Kora nomination, this time for the prestigious Artist of the Decade award.
In 2002, he played at the launch of the International Criminal Court at the UN Headquarters in New York, presided over by Kofi Annan. He has toured in Switzerland for 4 consecutive years and has performed at Holland’s Festival Mundial (2003) as well as Harare International Festival of the Arts(HIFA) (2003), receiving outstanding reviews for both performances. He also performed at the 2004 Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar, a celebration of East African Music.
In December 2004 Wainaina premiered a 21- song musical theatre piece, “Lwanda, Man of Stone”, based on a local folk story. One of the first of its kind in Kenya, the show ran for a hugely successful theatre season, and a concert version of the same show continues to be performed at major cultural events. A contemporary adaptation of this musical, 'Lwanda-A Ghetto Story" had a very successful run at the GoDown Arts Centre, Nairobi, in December 2006. Plans are underway to find a permanent home for 'Lwanda' in Nairobi.
Together with Mumbi Kaigwa and Andrea Kalima, Eric co-wrote and arranged the music for Kigezi Ndoto, a Kenyan play written and directed by Kaigwa, which went on tour in Europe under the auspices of the World Theatre Music Festival- 2006. He has also written the music for Owen & Mzee, an upcoming documentary about the touching story of an unusual friendship between a tortoise and a baby hippo at the Kenyan coast. This documentary is based on a best-selling children’s book by the same name.
Wainaina was involved in the 2006 launch of Kenya’s National Civic Education Program (NCEP II), Uraia, which aims at fostering a mature political culture in Kenya: a culture in which citizens are able to exercise their rights and responsibilities—and to participate effectively in the broadening of democracy. Wainaina also performed at the inaugural Nairobi-hosted North Sea Jazz Festival in February 2006, and at the Holland-based version of the same in July 2006.
December 2006 saw the release of "Twende, Twende", his second solo album. At the 2007 Kisima Music Awards Wainaina won three categories: Afro-fusion, best song and best video from Kenya [1]. He was among 100 most influential Kenyans as selected by The Standard newspaper in August 2007
Don't Bury Me
Eric Wainaina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nilikukosea nini ukanichukia
Nilikukosea nini ukanionea wivu
Nilikukosea nini ukanionea wivu
Ooh
Ooh
Don't go thinking that this story's over
Don't bury me, don't bury me
Still got work in these hands, oh
You do you I'll do me
Aint nothing wrong with that
Don't bother, don't bother me
Don't let my light distract you
Why you holding me
Why you holding me back
Chukua utakacho kwangu lakini niachie roho yangu
Chukua utakacho kwangu lakini niachie roho yangu
Chuki ya nini sisi ni ndugu moja
Chuki ya nini sisi ni ndugu moja
Ooh
Ooh
Don't go thinking that this story's over
Don't bury me, don't bury me
Still got work in these hands, oh
You do you I'll do me
Aint nothing wrong with that
Don't bother, don't bother me
Don't let my light distract you
Why you holding me
Why you holding me back
We give everything that we can for this
They give as little as they can for this
It's hard to give love
When your fam don't love you back
(love you back)
I speak from my heart it's true
And everyone sees but you
What do we have to do
I wanna get the roses while I'm alive
Don't bury me, don't bury me
Still got work in these hands, oh
You do you I'll do me
Aint nothing wrong with that
Don't bother, don't bother me
Don't let my light distract you
Why you holding me
Why you holding me back
In these lyrics, Eric Wainaina expresses his confusion and frustration towards someone who seems to dislike him, hold him back, and feel jealous of him for reasons he doesn't understand. The repeated lines "Nilikukosea nini ukanichukia" and "Nilikukosea nini ukanionea wivu" question what he has done to cause this negativity and seek an explanation for their animosity. He believes that they are family and wonders why there is such resentment between them, emphasizing unity and the bond they share.
Wainaina asserts his determination to continue his own path despite the negativity surrounding him. He urges the person not to think this is the end of his story, emphasizing that there is more to come and he still has work to do. The lines "Don't go thinking that this story's over" highlight his resilience and refusal to be buried or silenced.
The chorus "Don't bury me, don't bury me" reinforces his plea not to be held back or hindered by others. He asserts that he has his own goals and aspirations, just like anyone else, and there should be no problem with each person pursuing their own path. He asks the person not to bother him, not to let his light distract them from their own journey, and questions why they continue to hold him back.
In the third verse, Wainaina touches on the challenges he faces in giving love to those close to him when they don't reciprocate in the same way. He describes a situation where he gives his all for others, but they give very little in return. This lack of support from his family makes it difficult for him to continue giving love freely. He shares his frustration, speaking from the heart, and expresses his desire to receive appreciation and recognition while he is still alive, rather than being ignored and overlooked after his passing.
Overall, Eric Wainaina's song "Don't Bury Me" reflects his emotional journey, questioning the reasons behind someone's dislike and jealousy of him, asserting his determination to continue his path, and expressing his frustration with not receiving the love and support he desires from his family.
Line by Line Meaning
Nilikukosea nini ukanichukia
What did I do wrong that made you dislike me?
Nilikukosea nini ukanionea wivu
What did I do wrong that made you envy me?
Don't go thinking that this story's over
Don't assume that this situation has reached its end
Don't bury me, don't bury me
Don't ignore or hide me away
Still got work in these hands, oh
There is still much I can accomplish
You do you I'll do me
You focus on yourself and I'll focus on myself
Aint nothing wrong with that
There's nothing faulty about that
Don't bother, don't bother me
Don't disturb or trouble me
Don't let my light distract you
Don't allow my success to divert your attention
Why you holding me
Why are you restraining me
Why you holding me back
Why are you hindering my progress
Chukua utakacho kwangu lakini niachie roho yangu
Take whatever you want from me, but leave my soul untouched
Chuki ya nini sisi ni ndugu moja
What's the point of hatred when we are one family
We give everything that we can for this
We provide all that we can for this
They give as little as they can for this
They offer the minimum possible for this
It's hard to give love
It's difficult to show love
When your fam don't love you back (love you back)
When your family doesn't reciprocate the love
I speak from my heart it's true
I speak sincerely from my heart
And everyone sees but you
Everyone else recognizes it except for you
What do we have to do
What must we do
I wanna get the roses while I'm alive
I want to receive appreciation and recognition while I'm still alive
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Eric Wainaina, John Nzenze, Sellanga Ochieng'
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mashamashaah6043
Good Music
@retrow9718
🔥🔥🔥 this is my 7th time listening to it this morning
@lynettembula3899
AMAZING !!!
@NdovuKuu
This!🔥🐘🇰🇪
@_naek.u
Talent oozing out of my headphones like 🔥🔥💃
@shishi.p
Never tire of making music. You bless my life🔥💓
@zaques2
AMAZING
@jaymzkmt8852
Notification just popped up!!! Time for some Eric Wainaina!!!🔥♨️
@zaques2
Tulikukosea nini Eric hakuna concert?
@HeavyWeight-gy8vf
Walinibury kumbe si mi ni seed... ooh noo I have to sing the wrong lyrics.. again ain't nothing wrong with that