Lawyer waltzes onto music scene
Aug 11, 2006
He is a lawyer, but when he takes to the microphone and starts singing, you will not want him to stop.
By Titus Serunjogi
He is a lawyer, but when he takes to the microphone and starts singing, you will not want him to stop.
Twenty-seven year-old Jon K has always loved to play his life between the courtrooms and the recording studio. And who knows, he may soon be hitting the big stage.
Jon K is currently pruning a seven-track album, Party Time, which is a mix of Hip-Hop, Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Jazz guaranteed to absorb any listener from start to finish.
Party Time features rap from Pappito of the Klear Kut, Lyrical G and Lethal — all notable local Hip-Hop artistes.
The title track, Party Time, opens with finger-picked bass strings, which are soon swapped for percussive Hip-Hop beats.
Lyrical G does the rap while Jon K occasionally sways in with smooth, soulful vocals. Sometimes, the instrumental is left in the background, allowing the strings and keyboard melodies to dominate.
Lugambo, one of the best cuts on Jon K’s album, raps rumour mongers. And it has the added benefit of rapid-fire vocal delivery from Pappito.
Another hit, Ssente, flows along a more subtler pulse. As always, Jon K leads with his smooth flowing vocals, recounting the woes of making money in town.
But that is only before MC Lethal kicks in with his gruff vocals and gives the song its appropriate feel of desperation.
Do not expect to hear much of the rap in Africa What’s wrong. Africa What’s Wrong brings out Jon K’s roots in the Catholic Church choirs (he was an ardent choir member in primary school before he became fascinated with international stars Michael Jackson and Bono).
Africa What’s Wrong fails to touch any of the musical traditions that we (Africans) are proud of. So, some listeners may not be able to tune in with Jon K’s sentiments.
However, the song showcases great vocal harmonies. It also has the added benefit of lush, state-of-the-art production from the Hypercom Studios.
Like a lark is more of poetry than pop, but it impresses nonetheless. The song, which encompasses some of the joys of life and nature, is eminiscent of African-American Soul that has been touched up with Rhythms and Blues. But it still retains a vitality and soulfulness that refuses to fade.
Altogether, Jon K’s music is a welcome addition to the city circuit. Party Time is a breath of fresh air from the common Kidaandali.
Jon K’s album may not be fit in the commercial pop tunes we are used to, but it has broader appeal since it brings together several wildly divergent songs and harmonises them into one eight-track album. Party Time is yet to be launched.
He is a lawyer, but when he takes to the microphone and starts singing, you will not want him to stop.
Twenty-seven year-old Jon K has always loved to play his life between the courtrooms and the recording studio. And who knows, he may soon be hitting the big stage.
Jon K is currently pruning a seven-track album, Party Time, which is a mix of Hip-Hop, Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Jazz guaranteed to absorb any listener from start to finish.
Party Time features rap from Pappito of the Klear Kut, Lyrical G and Lethal — all notable local Hip-Hop artistes.
The title track, Party Time, opens with finger-picked bass strings, which are soon swapped for percussive Hip-Hop beats.
Lyrical G does the rap while Jon K occasionally sways in with smooth, soulful vocals. Sometimes, the instrumental is left in the background, allowing the strings and keyboard melodies to dominate.
Lugambo, one of the best cuts on Jon K’s album, raps rumour mongers. And it has the added benefit of rapid-fire vocal delivery from Pappito.
Another hit, Ssente, flows along a more subtler pulse. As always, Jon K leads with his smooth flowing vocals, recounting the woes of making money in town.
But that is only before MC Lethal kicks in with his gruff vocals and gives the song its appropriate feel of desperation.
Do not expect to hear much of the rap in Africa What’s wrong. Africa What’s Wrong brings out Jon K’s roots in the Catholic Church choirs (he was an ardent choir member in primary school before he became fascinated with international stars Michael Jackson and Bono).
Africa What’s Wrong fails to touch any of the musical traditions that we (Africans) are proud of. So, some listeners may not be able to tune in with Jon K’s sentiments.
However, the song showcases great vocal harmonies. It also has the added benefit of lush, state-of-the-art production from the Hypercom Studios.
Like a lark is more of poetry than pop, but it impresses nonetheless. The song, which encompasses some of the joys of life and nature, is eminiscent of African-American Soul that has been touched up with Rhythms and Blues. But it still retains a vitality and soulfulness that refuses to fade.
Altogether, Jon K’s music is a welcome addition to the city circuit. Party Time is a breath of fresh air from the common Kidaandali.
Jon K’s album may not be fit in the commercial pop tunes we are used to, but it has broader appeal since it brings together several wildly divergent songs and harmonises them into one eight-track album. Party Time is yet to be launched.