Six years ago CAMP MULLA took Kenya, Africa and the global music arena by a storm, the group co-founded by Mykie Toni and rappers Shappaman (then known as Young Kass) and Thee MC Africa (then Taio Tripper).
The trio were later joined by Karun (then Miss Karun) and Kus Ma (then K’Cous).They gave Kenyan music a fresh energy, their sound was catchy and funky, incorporating hip hop and contemporary RnB not to mention their trendsetting fashion endeavors. At a young age they had unrivalled social media presence and fan base, other artists took a back seat and watched in admiration, no one saw them coming. Their Facebook page to date conducts over 130,000 fans and 37,000 followers on twitter. They quickly grew to become one of the most sought after artists in Kenya and Africa. They have shared stage with continental stars such as Naeto C, Flavour and 2015 Evolution Award MAMA-winners P Square and performed in coveted shows like Channel O Awards.
They went on to sweep awards like Teeniez’ Group or Collabo and Teeniez’ Nu Artist during the 2012 Chaguo La Teeniez Awards. Their claim to continental and global fame however came when they got nominated in the 2012 BET Awards for the “Best International Act – Africa” category, becoming the first Kenyans ever to be nominated for a BET AWARD in the process, alongside Lira Makobe and Ice Prince but losing to eventual winners Sarkodie and Wizkid. Their only album Funky Town became an instant hit with hits like Party Don’t Stop and Addicted.
Fast forward to 2015, a lot has changed for them career wise as far as music is involved. Their split for the longest time remained a no comment issue as they remained tightlipped about the cause and reasons for the split .Entertainment journalists, bloggers and sites moved heaven and earth to get the behind the scenes expose on what actually transpired. All they got were third party takes and unending rumors of inner fights, succumbing to fame and many others that we have read over the years. Kenyans waited for so long until everyone stopped waiting and just accepted that their favorite artists were no longer a thing. Some of the earliest confirmation of the split came after K’Cous under the new name Kus Ma released a solo mix tape J’s and Purple in 2013 featuring artists like Kanja, Shappaman, Thee Mc Africa and Tiri.
Karun later followed suit with her debut album Sun and Moon in 2014 featuring Kagwe Mungai, Jack Odongo and Fena which had positive feedback which came months after landing a spot on the premiere season of Coke Studio in 2013.The following year in 2014 thee Mc Africa jumped onto the bandwagon with his debut solo EP Man Made Machine. Shappaman has since become the last ex- Camp Mulla member to find a footing after releasing his EP early this year named Wildlife.
There have been rumors of a possible re -union over the years especially after the Camp Mulla Re-union concert at Carnivore Simba Salon, the sudden entrance of Kus Ma’s girlfriend Tiri into music suggested she would replace Karun in the new alleged alignment.
However they have continued to pursue independent music directions. Although that can only be true for Shappaman and Kus Ma, Thee mc Africa and Karun have since co founded a boho rap group(collective) coined as Cosmic Hommies O.N.E which also includes rapper Joseph Kiwango and singer/writer Marushka, they recently released a single Think This Thru on Sound Cloud which seems to be brewing a storm as days go by. When I last met Karun and Joseph they confirmed more music is currently in the working. Karun who is an undergraduate at California Institute of Arts Music Management in Boston has since joined the music production alongside Taio and Joseph and the group promises to be hit .
After all the media scandals and the split hiatus,the ex camp mulla members have finally managed to rise up from the setbacks caused by their hiatus,though individually they aren’t as big as they are they are gradually but surely making headway back to the top again. We wish them all the best.
Clinton Oyaro
