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
Twende Twende
Eric Wainaina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bongo thinas
Zunguka Zunguzuka neni
Kuja nami tuungane tuache kuzozana
Ngatiende tiende mberi
Wajua Upendo hauna mfano hauna adui kaka
Takabatana savatema
It's pole pole going slow
But still we're keeping time
We're facing forward looking up
Forgetting what's behind
Twende Afrika heyo!
Twende Twende
Kuja nami
Twende Twende
Upande upande
We ongoza nikufuate
Tiende tiende
Mberi mberi
Twende Twende
Kwete shure
Zunguka Zunguzuka neni
Zvinoda rudo kubatana Kuti tibudirire
Twahitaji upendo ili tusonge mbele
Kutambura kwedu Zvichida hatina rudo
Ukosefu wa upendo waleta dhiki
There's more to Mama Africa
Than poverty and war
I wish we had a fighting chance
To show off who we are
Twende Twende
Kuja nami
Twende Twende
Upande upande
We ongoza nikufuate
Tiende tiende
Mberi mberi
Twende Twende
Kwete shure
Zunguka Zunguzuka neni
Bongo thinas
Bongo thinas
Bongo thinas
Hatidi
Bongo thinas
Bongo thinas
Bongo thinas
Sitaki
Ukiumizwa hata mimi ninasikia uchungu
‘kiangaishwa ninalia ukilia dada
Chinokubanda misodzi yangu inobuda
Paunosuwa moyo wangu unorwadza
You hear the music miles around
The drumbeats never end
The voices raised for Africa
Nkosi Sikeleli
Twende Twende
Kuja nami
Twende Twende
Upande upande
We ongoza nikufuate
Tiende tiende
Mberi mberi
Twende Twende
Kwete shure
Zunguka Zunguzuka neni
Close
Eric Wainaina's song Twende Twende featuring Oliver Mtukudzi talks about the unity and love that can make Africa thrive. The lyrics begin with "Bongo thinas" which translates to "we don't want trouble," and encourages people to come together and leave behind the conflicts and arguments that hinder progress in society. The song also emphasizes the need for love to progress and overcome challenges. It highlights that poverty, war, and lack of love bring misery and hardships.
The chorus of the song conveys a sense of hope and encouragement to move forward and leave the past behind, and the phrase "Twende Afrika heyo!" translates to "Let's go, Africa!" The song rhythms are somewhat relaxed, with a moderate tempo that gives a sense of moving forward, but still staying in time. The African sound is apparent as the drums beat on and on, and the voices of the singers raise to express their love for Mama Africa.
Line by Line Meaning
Bongo thinas
We're slowly but surely progressing
Zunguka Zunguzuka neni
We're moving forward and not looking back
Kuja nami tuungane tuache kuzozana
Let's come together, unite and stop fighting amongst ourselves
Ngatiende tiende mberi
Let's keep moving forward
Wajua Upendo hauna mfano hauna adui kaka
Love has no equal and no enemy
Takabatana savatema
Let's stand together and overcome our problems
Twende Twende
Let's keep moving
Kuja nami
Come with me
Upande upande
Side by side
We ongoza nikufuate
I'll lead, you follow
Tiende tiende
Keep going
Mberi mberi
Forward, forward
Kwete shure
Without fear
Zvinoda rudo kubatana Kuti tibudirire
We need to come together with love to succeed
Twahitaji upendo ili tusonge mbele
We need love to move forward
Kutambura kwedu Zvichida hatina rudo
Our struggles require love
Ukosefu wa upendo waleta dhiki
Lack of love causes hardship
There's more to Mama Africa Than poverty and war
Africa has so much more to offer than just poverty and war
I wish we had a fighting chance To show off who we are
I wish we were given a chance to display our true worth
Bongo thinas
We're slowly but surely progressing
Hatidi
We won't be held back
Sitaki
I don't want that
Ukiumizwa hata mimi ninasikia uchungu
When you're hurt, I feel your pain
‘kiangaishwa ninalia ukilia dada
When in trouble, I cry with you my sister
Chinokubanda misodzi yangu inobuda
The tears flow from my eyes
Paunosuwa moyo wangu unorwadza
When you hurt my heart also hurts
You hear the music miles around The drumbeats never end The voices raised for Africa Nkosi Sikeleli
The music, drumbeats and voices for Africa are heard far and wide
Contributed by Mackenzie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@parrycoen7791
Bongo thinas
Bongo thinas
Zunguka Zunguzuka neni
Kuja nami tuungane tuache kuzozana
Ngatiende tiende mberi
Wajua Upendo hauna mfano hauna adui kaka
Takabatana savatema
It's pole pole going slow
But still we're keeping time
We're facing forward looking up
Forgetting what's behind
Twende Afrika heyo!
Twende Twende
Kuja nami
Twende Twende
Upande upande
We ongoza nikufuate
Tiende tiende
Mberi mberi
Twende Twende
Kwete shure
Zunguka Zunguzuka neni
Zvinoda rudo kubatana Kuti tibudirire
Twahitaji upendo ili tusonge mbele
Kutambura kwedu Zvichida hatina rudo
Ukosefu wa upendo waleta dhiki
There's more to Mama Africa
Than poverty and war
I wish we had a fighting chance
To show off who we are
Twende Twende
Kuja nami
Twende Twende
Upande upande
We ongoza nikufuate
Tiende tiende
Mberi mberi
Twende Twende
Kwete shure
Zunguka Zunguzuka neni
Bongo thinas
Bongo thinas
Bongo thinas
Hatidi
Bongo thinas
Bongo thinas
Bongo thinas
Sitaki
Ukiumizwa hata mimi ninasikia uchungu
'Kiangaishwa ninalia ukilia dada
Chinokubanda misodzi yangu inobuda
Paunosuwa moyo wangu unorwadza
You hear the music miles around
The drumbeats never end
The voices raised for Africa
Nkosi Sikeleli
Twende Twende
Kuja nami
Twende Twende
Upande upande
We ongoza nikufuate
Tiende tiende
Mberi mberi
Twende Twende
Kwete shure
Zunguka Zunguzuka neni
@takudzwamuringai7736
Here for Oliver Mtukudzi one love , one africa and one people
@zonkozonko
Reminds me of when I worked in Kenya. One night walking home from a night at the bar I came across a group of people trying to push a pickup truck in the mud after rain, I joined in I was the only muzungu in the group but I had learn't Twende Twende from some blokes threading a Telephone cable through manholes some days earlier. I was pushing the truck and shouting twende twende. We got the pickup up the hill and to the owners home I was invited in for drinks and my shoes were whisked off for cleaning. Woke up the next morning with an hangover. They said if I had not have got so involved the other men would have given up and left the truck stranded!
@TheShyrroh
This is really funny and inspiring.
@makumiwainaina3771
zonkozonko ... Next time you visit Kenya i will take you for a safari.
@Vhjiy4f
U must have drunk some muratina
@fitgreg1196
welcome my friend to Africa.hakuna matata
@riunikii
I am Kenyan living in the Netherlands and this just made me miss home. So Kenyan. Twende twende Kenya.
@Eliuskip
I am wondering why this song hasent hit a million plus views! Agree with me?? hit like, and share with yo friends!
@friesiamans1966
i´m doing my best, but i´m afraid i won´t manage to watch it nearly 800 000 times, haha - love and best wishes from germany
@onyapidi5174
I was equally surprised. Compare this content with the crap from millennials....akina l*mba lolo