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
Sawa Sawa
Eric Wainaina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hear the birds call out my name
I look heavenward and hear your voice say
You're all right, you're OK
I'm all right, I'm OK
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Another day and another hour
I'm growing wings to fly like eagles
Higher, higher, higher, higher
I'm reaching for the stars and further
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Sawa sawa
I tune into my favourite radio station
And hear the news from yesterday
Somebody somewhere
Won't get to see another day
But I'm all right, I'm OK
But I'm all right, I'm OK
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Another day and another hour
Bawa bawa mabawa
I'm growing wings to fly like eagles
Higher, higher, higher, higher
I'm reaching for the stars and further
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Sawa sawa
Everyday in my dreams
I'm rising it seems
There's nothing to hold me
I see The Unseen
My faith is my anchor
My hope is my rudder
And nothing can harm me
As I cross the seas
Guardian angel won't you guide me
Across the waves to my destiny
I've stretched my rod
As far as I can reach
Say I'm all right I'm OK
You're all right, you're OK
Everyday in my dreams
I'm rising it seems
There's nothing to hold me
I feel The Unseen
My faith is my anchor
My hope is my rudder
And nothing can harm me
As I cross the seas
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Bawa bawa mabawa
Higher, higher, higher, higher
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Bawa bawa mabawa
Higher, higher, higher, higher
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Sawa sawa (Sawa sawa)
Sawa sawa (Sawa sawa)
Sawa sawa (Sawa sawa)
Sawa sawa (Sawa sawa)
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Bawa bawa mabawa
Higher, higher, higher, higher
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Bawa bawa mabawa
The Eric Wainaina song "Sawa Sawa" is an uplifting and inspiring track that talks about the daily struggles and challenges of life. The song begins with the artist waking up early in the morning and hearing the birds singing his name. Looking towards the heavens, he hears a voice telling him that everything is fine and that he is okay. The chorus repeats the phrase "Sawa Sawa," which translates to "All right, okay" in Swahili. The artist affirms that despite the difficulties of life, he is still okay and doing well.
Eric Wainaina goes on to talk about tuning into his favorite radio station to hear the news of yesterday, where he learns that someone somewhere won't get to see another day. Despite this sobering news, Wainaina affirms that he is still all right and okay. He asserts that every day he dreams of rising higher and growing wings like an eagle to reach the stars further away. The song focuses on the power of hope, faith, and positivity to overcome the obstacles of life and reach one's destiny.
One interesting fact about the song is that it combines elements of various genres, including pop, reggae, soul, and jazz. The song also features an unusual yet charming mix of African drums, electric guitar, and various percussion instruments. The song achieved global fame, featured in major TV shows like ER and Third Watch, and FIFA World Cup 2010 games. The song also received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Kora Awards for Best East African Song in 2000.
Line by Line Meaning
I wake up early in the morning
Starting my day early
And hear the birds call out my name
Nature greets me in its own way
I look heavenward and hear your voice say
Seeking guidance from a higher power
You're all right, you're OK
Receiving reassurance from the divine
I'm all right, I'm OK
Feeling confident and self-assured
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Everything is fine
Another day and another hour
Time keeps moving forward
Bawa bawa mabawa
Preparing to take flight
I'm growing wings to fly like eagles
Building up strength and courage
Higher, higher, higher, higher
Aspiring to greater heights
I'm reaching for the stars and further
Setting lofty goals for myself
I tune into my favourite radio station
Staying informed
And hear the news from yesterday
Reflecting on past events
Somebody somewhere
There are others less fortunate than me
Won't get to see another day
Acknowledging the fragility of life
But I'm all right, I'm OK
Grateful for my own well-being
Everyday in my dreams
Visualizing my future
I'm rising it seems
Believing in my ability to succeed
There's nothing to hold me
Feeling unencumbered by obstacles
I see The Unseen
Trusting in the unknown
My faith is my anchor
Finding stability in spirituality
My hope is my rudder
Gaining direction from positivity
And nothing can harm me
Feeling protected
As I cross the seas
Navigating through life's challenges
Guardian angel won't you guide me
Asking for extra support
Across the waves to my destiny
Trusting in fate
I've stretched my rod
Doing my best
As far as I can reach
Pushing myself to the limit
Say I'm all right I'm OK
Continuing to stay positive
Everyday in my dreams
Visualizing my future
I'm rising it seems
Believing in my ability to succeed
There's nothing to hold me
Feeling unencumbered by obstacles
I feel The Unseen
Trusting in the unknown
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Everything is fine
Bawa bawa mabawa
Preparing to take flight
Higher, higher, higher, higher
Aspiring to greater heights
Sawa sawa, sawa sawa
Everything is fine
Contributed by Adalyn H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bob Mwangi
Man! I just felt like listening to this song today. Reminds me of days gone by- and just how awesome Eric Wainaina really is. Brilliant.
Janet Njeri
Eric really got talent..... Why we don't make music like this anymore
ERIC THONGORI
I first listened to this Song when I was young then later I heard it on an advertisement on T.V many years back. To date I still love it!
DJ Brian Channel
You gotta love Eric Wainaina...Great musician...
Tasnim Benbrahim
Nike sawa
kevin nauna
This Classic never fades
BONIFACE WAGURA
So underrated my all time favourite inspiration 😍😍😍
Philip Omolloh
All time my favorite artist... Great song
GABRIEL KEMEI
Who is still here in 2019 my all time favourite
bigmaxcc
GABRIEL KEMEI saws sawa