Elijah Kitaka delivers at Christmas Druncheon
Elijah Kitaka was rolled onto the market via an aggressive PR machine that seemed to target hype over substance. It was absurd in the beginning – his name was more familiar than his song titles.
Elijah Kitaaka performing during his cameo at the Christmas Druncheon at Dim the Lights, Naalya. (Courtesy photo)
_________________
It might sound like I am reluctantly agreeing that Elijah Kitaaka is worth the hype after watching his cameo at the Christmas Druncheon at Dim the Lights, Naalya, but I think I have already admitted this.
Elijah Kitaka was rolled onto the market via an aggressive PR machine that seemed to target hype over substance. It was absurd in the beginning – his name was more familiar than his song titles. I actually started figuring out that there was a bit of talent to the lad when the Dawa remix was featured on the Swangz Avenue album a year ago.
I had heard Dawa before that, of course, but the remix freshened things up a lot (and I actually preferred it). Kitaka’s cameos on the other songs also got my attention, especially on tracks like God Ye Buddy. He is so casual in his delivery, you pay attention.
This was emphasised for me on that duet with Karol Kasita, Go, which is probably the first Kasita song I have actually liked. Karol delivers on Go, suddenly seeming musically relevant (she always got our attention but for completely other reasons), while Kitaka delivers one of the most complete vocal performances I have listened to this year. His vocal control is supreme, and I feel like it is something he is quite aware of. It explains why his delivery is so casual.
He has developed a knack for coming up with some catchy tunes, and he reeled them off back-to-back at Dim the Lights.
The decision to host him was a smart one – Kitaka has that capacity to cross over, appealing to wildly different demographics. And few audiences vary as wildly as Christmas audiences, when everyone’s auntie and daughter is out to have a good time. His crowd work was brilliant, and that laid-back delivery of his works with audiences.
The Christmas Druncheon (‘Druncheon’ being a combination of ‘drinks’ and ‘luncheon’ for the heathens out there) was a celebration of sumptuous food, incomparable ambience, and an artiste that I firmly consider to be the next king of the hill for at least 10 years. He certainly has the charisma and talent to pull it off.