How Kayamba Africa Group built a continental music brand over 27 years
Like legendary Congolese bands T.P. OK Jazz and Afrisa International, which built their popularity through quality music, Kayamba Africa Group has steadily emulated their model.
Over its 27-year existence, Kayamba Africa Group (KAG) has drawn lessons from the two iconic Congolese bands. Like them, the group seeks wider recognition across Kenya, Africa and beyond, with the aim of expanding its fan base and achieving similar global acclaim.
The group performs original songs that are now widely covered by emerging bands. However, unlike TP OK Jazz and Afrisa International, which disintegrated after the deaths of their leaders, KAG hopes to avoid a similar fate while continuing to thrive through licensed copyrighted works used with permission and payment.
“We perform original songs by different artistes after negotiating with them or their recording companies, with the knowledge of the Kenya Copyright Board and the Music Copyright Society of Kenya, to avoid legal tussles,” said KAG Director General Timothy Juma Odemba.
