Kidum Kibido & BodaBoda
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Kidum Kibido & BodaBoda

Nairobi, Kenya | Established. Jan 01, 2004 | INDIE

Nairobi, Kenya | INDIE
Established on Jan, 2004
Band World Singer/Songwriter

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"BBC Africa Beats: Burundian singer Kidum performs his love-song Kichuna"

12 April 2012 Last updated at 14:32 ET Help

In the second of a series showcasing Africa's musical talent, Kidum - one of Burundi's biggest music stars - performs his love-song Kichuna.

The 37-year-old started out as a drummer in Burundi, working with several different bands before establishing his own. But he later left the country when war broke out.

He has been based in Kenya since 1995 but remains popular at home and has performed in Burundi many times since his first album - Yaramenje - was released in 2001.

He sings mainly in his mother tongue Kirundi and in Kiswahili.

He is currently working on his fifth album, which he hopes will continue to build his reputation with international audiences.

Video produced by Owain Rich. - BBC NEWS Entertainment & Arts


"Kidum, Born To Entertain"

Kidum, born to entertain

‘Kidum’, undeniably a roaring name in live band music in town, was born Jean Pierre in 1974. His voice is soothing, his music euphoric and his stage presence captivating; he’s phenomenal, just what the doctor ordered for Nairobi’s dynamic and explosive nightlife.

Born in northern Burundi, Kidums’ love for music started way before other kids of his age could tell 6 from 9. At just 10 years, he started playing drums and by 12 he had joined an active band where he honed his skills for six years. Today, anyone watching him on stage or listening to his latest album can confirm this guy was born to make music.

Exiled by genocide that ravaged his home nation of Burundi in 1994, Kidum found himself in refugee status destined for Kakuma refugee camp. This is where most of his country-mates ended up, in the punishing scorching climate of Northern Kenya. But not Kidum. He would not let fate format his destiny; he would stick to the city where he was more of an intruder than a guest and somehow seek to craft it himself.

Ultimately, his resilience and hard work paid off. In 1995, he joined the Hot Rod Band, a high-riding live band that had maneuvered its popularity to the peak right when live music was the in-thing. This would be Kidum’s platform until 2003. In 2004, he formed his own band, the Boda Boda Band which today, Nairobi clubs are jostling to have as part of their entertainment master show. To many fans, his music is like a brand new toy, that no kid will let go.

With 3 albums and a fourth one on its way, Kidum live gigs are a must attend. His voice is loaded, compelling, and will for sure awe the listener. He is East Africa’s musician of the moment, more so confirmed after he scooped the Best East African artiste during the annual Kilimanjaro Awards in Tanzania this year. As such, his performances are infectious, keeping his diary full with at least four weekly live performances around Nairobi.

On Saturday nights though, anyone seeking music that speaks to the soul, will find him at the blissful Rangers Restaurant. With its homely and African décor, Ranger’s is the only place in town where guests wine and dine in the company of wild animals, and Kidum’s music completes a perfect evening repose.

This particular Saturday, I arrive late, confirming how Nairobi traffic can be unforgiving, regardless of the day of the week. But I am just in time to hear my favorite hit, ‘Haturudi Nyuma’, a song that has the ability to spark love emotion in an instant. It’s a musical marvel he has collaborated with Uganda’s Juliana to produce. The crowd, a blend of young and old, is enjoying every beat of the tune. Visibly, everyone is having a good time, and a good chunk of the crowd is in another world, teeming to every word.
With each passing minute, fans are craving for more and I notice all other restaurant activities have clearly taken a back seat; no more than music is renting the air. Kidum’s band performance is like a journey to a place you’ve heard of, but never been to. His songs are a collection of Kiswahili and Kirundi. The message in each is genuine, told in the sincerest of voices. It’s a perfect realization that music respects no boundaries; good music speaks to the soul.

As the show concludes late in the night, it’s evident that all emotions have been stroked. Despite the fact that fans would cherish to have him go on, it’s done, finished. It’s an evening well spent. - Kenya BUZZ


"Kidum"

idumu is a famous Burundian singer who lives in Kenya. He was born on the 28th of October in the year 1974, in the Northern town of Bujumbura, Kinama location in Burundi.
He involved himself in the music industry as a drummer when he was only ten years old in 1984.
He involved himself in the music industry as a drummer when he was only ten years old in 1984. After two years (1986), he joined the IMVUMERO BAND which was his first music band where he worked for six years (1986-1992). He later joined the IMBONEZA BAND in the year 1992-1993, which was owned by the then ruling party UPRONA.
In 1994, he launched his own band called ELECTRIC POWER, which lasted for only a year due to the war in Burundi. Due to the political instability in the country, he ran from his country to Kenya in 1995 to continue with his talent. He joined the HOT ROD BAND in which he worked with until the year 2003.
He formed his own band, the BODA BODA BAND in 2004 which he still runs to date.
1999
He recorded his first song called YARAMENJE.
2000
He released his first Album known as YARAMENJE.
2001
He was invited in Burundi by the country’s former President, Pierre Buyoya for a PEACE CONCERT Ceremony.
2002
The American Embassy invited him back to Burundi in a PEACE RALLY.
2003
He released his second Album called SHAMBA. In that same year, he performed his first concert in Burundi and later paid a visit to Europe for a concert in Belgium (Theatre St. Michael, Sun City Club, Enverse) and also in London, England.
2004
He participated in Fespad in Rwanda. He performed his first Concert in Uvira in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
2005
He held a concert in Lamu at Peponi Hotel in the 2005 New Years’ Eve. That same year, he released his third Album, ISHANO.
2006
He participated in Fespad for the second time in Kigali, Rwanda. He participated in yet another concert called Festival Tanganyika in Bujumbura, Burundi.
2007
He is carrying on with his talent and working on the fourth Album.
The first song from this Album is already out. Called "Ubuhamya"
2008
1st January - He performed in Serena Hotel Kigali.
February - He participated in Festival Art Azimut I at Butare Rwanda.
July - He participated another time in FESPAD 2008.
Kidum is married to Francine and they have five children,Afande, Chrispin, Grace, Naomi and Natalie.
Some of his songs are Kundana, Kugasozi, Uri hano, Aamosozi yurukundo, Iwacu, Number moja, Intimba y'urukundo, Ishano, Kumushaha, Umenikoseya, Ingovyi, Tuburi, Mugore wange, Abambuzi, Shamba, etc - Museke African Artists


"Kidum announces overseas tour"

Burundi crooner Kidum

Nairobi. He is the toast of East Africa who is attracting collabo requests from almost all the famous names in the region.On top of his collabo list was the first with Uganda’s Juliana and the second which featured Tanzania’s Lady Jaydee among others.

However ,as the Kenyan-based Burundi crooner Kidum continues to enjoy success beyond his Nairobi base, the artiste is now set to explore overseas territories.

Speaking to The Beat this week, Kidum said he is currently organising a tour which will take him to Canada and Germany in the next one month. “Everything is in place for the three shows in Canada and I expect to leave on Tuesday with the first show scheduled for October 22 in Toronto,” he said.

He added that after Toronto he will move to Montreal and Ottawa where he is scheduled to have other shows on October 29 and November 5 respectively before flying out to Germany.

“After the shows in Canada, I will go straight to Frankfurt where we shall perform on November 5,” said the crooner who recently featured in Msechu’s song Relax.

By Paul Owere, The Citizen - In2EastAfrica


"Burundi's Kidum & Tanzania's Lady Jaydee With Nitafanya (B'Hitz Music)"

Burundi's Kidumu & Tanzania's Lady Jaydee with Nitafanya (B'Hitz Music)
Submitted by bongowimbo on Fri, 2010-04-30 20:04
Keywords: African musicians bongo Burundi east african music press release Tanzania Tanzania tanzania music tanzanian music

Hello Friends,
No sorry behind this story, coz all it mattered is to uncover another hit behind B'hits. Kidum, Burundi’s most respected singer, who has been lifting up Burundi's spirits from the tragedy with his soulful sound, with Tanzanian Dada vocal..this was made to be this sick that’s why they went to see the right doctor…i mean beat doctor Hermy B.
So Kidumu met Hermy during the Tusker Project Fame season three. And the second time when he was in Tanzania for the show. So he said he has an idea and he wished to record before this idea escaped his mind. Hermy offered his services and Kidum asked if he can handle live music and he was brought to the state of the Art studios at B'hits Music Group Tanzania. It was not difficult to get Lady Jaydee as she has been recording with Hermy her yet to come album that has already rolled two hits like Mtarimbo Doro and Teja.
The song is about a lover who is really not perfect and has been messing up for sometime, asking for forgiveness and for his partner to tolerate his imperfections because in the end he loves her deeply. How many of us are perfect and are going to claim they do not relate to this song??? Are you perfect??
CREDITS:
Song: Nitafanya
Artist: Kidum & Lady JD
Composed by: Kidum
Written By: Kidum & Lady JD
Recorded, Engineered and Additional instruments By: Hermy B At B’Hits Studio 1, Dar es Salaam.
Mixed and Mastered By: Hermy B At B’Hits Studio 1, Dar es Salaam.
Hermy B appears courtesy of B’Hits Music Group Located In Dar es Salaam Tanzania.
Hope Ya’ll going to have fun.
Life’s Too Short…Make The most of it.
Hermes B. Joachim Lyimo (Hermy B) - MUSEKE


"KIDUM INTERVIEW, A DAY WITH A LEGEND"

AP magazine met up with East Africa’s music Legend Nimbona Jean Pierre (a.k.a Kidum Kibido) during the second leg of his “Peace Concert” Canadian tour in Canada’s capital. Despite the rendezvous being confirmed on a short notice, we did enjoy talking to the man. The fact that it was his birthday on the day also spiced things up. The location was in the 15th floor of a downtown apartment complex. After shooting a few promotional videos (for the show the next day) and a part of the interview; we decided to cool it out and have the remaining piece done outside. We drove across town, did some shopping and even got time to visit a few Black barber shops in town. It was a wonderful experience walking with the man who introduced himself to the Canadian population as a comedian! Fun aside, we did get some work done and by the end of the night, I was humbled to have spent a day with an artist I’ve followed for over a decade. The following is a story manuscript of our discussion




EARLY YEARS

KIDUM early life was that of a purpose. He was born on the 28th of October 1974 in a small town of Kinama Burundi. By the age of 10, he was already musically tuned and learning his future trade as a artist/drummer. Two years later, he joined his first music band, IMVUMERO BAND. Fast forward eight years and he had already formed his own band. It’s only fair to say he spent his early life trapped in music as he does not recall ever doing anything else. Kidum eats; sleeps; walks and breaths Music. His commitment has also been rewarded as there aren't many East African artists who have released four successful albums in the last 10 years and shared the same stage with music greats such as LUCKY DUBE and ALPHA BLONDY. He is, in other words, the ideal example of what happens when hard work and dedication meet talent.




KENYA
In the near future, it is going to be almost impossible to talk about his life and music without mentioning Kenya. A place where his craft has expanded and gained popularity. Indeed, he mentioned in our discussion that once the new Kenyan constitution (which allows Kenyans to hold dual citizenship) is implemented, he will be acquiring a Kenyan passport. During our interview, it was very evident that he holds strong sentiments for his adopted country. What most of kidums fans (especially in Kenya) do not know is that before he was in music videos and on CHURCHIL LIVE, Kibido was an ordinary refugee in Kenya who had immigrated there in 1995 due to political instability in his native Burundi. His rise to the top of music charts therefore, hasn’t been all smooth. Nonetheless, Kidum does not complain or dwell on his hardships as a refugee in a foreign land. Instead, he is more focused and interested on the positives and he joyfully points out how successful he has been since those trying times. He launched his first single and my favourite to date, “YARAMENJE” in 1999 and a year later he released his first album with the same title. His other albums (all released in Kenya) include “SHAMBA”, “ISHANO”, and the most recent one “HATURUDI NYUMA”. In case your wondering which album Kidum likes the most of the lot, (and yes i did quiz him about that) he sporadically chooses the second one.



MESSAGE
Being the first person not only within his five siblings but in his entire family and to go into music, Kidum’s message to up and coming artists at home in the Diaspora's is very short and clear. Knock-Knock until the do is opened. Stay dedicated until your dreams come true and when you finally get your chance, make sure you take it. Produce content of really quality that its going to be hard for anyone not to appreciate your work. Most importantly though, when hard patches come by, don’t despair or run away for a while; as its only those that stick around that eventually succeed. Its free to give up but don’t give in. He talks of how easy it would have been for him to get to Kenya as a refugee and become despondency; but he fought adversity and its now paying off. You’ve got to do the same.



KIDUM'S PERSPECTIVE
As someone with influence through his music, and also familiar with African politics having run for public office in the past; I was curious to know his perspective. More specifically regarding Hunger, politicians, corruption, tribalism, elections, and the recent epidemics in the East African region. Unsurprisingly, he replied to my questions with real passion. The following is a summary of his perspective on the above issues.
He challenged those of us in the Diaspora's to adopt a proactive role and dynamically participate in fixing predicaments (not just in our own countries but across Africa in general) instead of just pointing fingers and highlighting how bad things are.
As Africans, we also ought to ask ourselves that "how come things are fresh on these sides of the ocean and decaying in the motherland"! who is responsible! That "who will teach you how to sing if you don’t teach you - TAP MAGAZINE, The African Perspective Magazine


"A Love Letter To Kidum"

I have loved Kidum for years. Loved him because, for me, Kidum has always been genderless. Kidum, for me, has been a “thing.” A thing that brought joy. Kidum has always been a tune, a melody, a song of harvest. Of love. He’s a transcendent being. An extremely broad concept encompassing objective and subjective features of reality and existence. And his humanness, whatever that even means, has never been something I looked at in line with my own consciousness.
And there was a time when Kidum was like a raging bonfire that would never die; a musical fed by inflammable and beautifully arranged clefs, notes and rhythm. This was when he played at Psys bar in Langata every Sunday, way back before Psys became a graveyard of music. Sundays were – and still aren’t – the best days to go out, because it just cocked up your Monday. But I would drive through six roundabouts to get to Psys, to see the virtuoso himself, and when I got there I would find other faithfuls who had flocked the venue, a sardine-packed room, a church of Kidum.
He was musical scripture.
I would arrive early, at 7pm to get a seat right at the front even though Kidum would only hold court from about 10pm. You wouldn’t even see him take the stage, because he wasn’t human, remember? One moment you would be pouring your drink, the next he would be seated there, behind the drums. This was the time when drummers were the unknown people in a band. But Kidum led all drummers to the Promised Land – or Psys, if you will. His Swahili was rubbish, and his English even worse, but who cared? He sang in a language that you couldn’t box. Girls loved him. Women adored him. And us, men, we crumbled at his feet sooner rather than later.
After settling behind his unremarkable looking drums, he would bring his lips to the microphone and start singing his track ‘Kwetu’; “Vile navioona, vile ninavyoishi” which is the best song ever sang, and the whole bar would plunge into a void infested with frenzy! People sang along. Everybody sang along. The musical tide that Kidum would create at Psys was something of a cult. Psys would turn into this place where men, possessed with something so beautiful and unfathomable, got up and sang with their eyes closed, men sang with their hands on their chests and sometimes on their women’s bodies, because Kidum inspired amour. I won’t even get into what Kidum did to the women. I won’t tell you the power Kidum had over the chicks in the room. I mean, if Kidum stopped his music in the middle of it, and walked off the stage and came and touched your woman on the forehead she would probably say, “I will give you a baby Kidum, a chubby little Kibido.”
And when the men were not going gaga over Kidum, they were going gaga over Sheila, his former lead singer. Sheila with her fitting dresses and curvaceous body. Caramel-skinned Sheila with a voice of a teenage bird. Sheila who brought contentment to our hearts with her voice and optical satisfaction to our eyes with her attire. Sheila who when standing in her high heels had her chest pointed at the moon. Men who loved boobs would go back home after looking at Sheila’s chest and sleep with their mouths open that night.
Then some days he would play at Rafikiz next door – before 1824 came along and knocked the wind out of its sail. I was also there on those days. And when he moved to Kengeles in Nairobi West I followed him. I followed him and waited even when he never showed up, when the room filled and someone said he wouldn’t be coming in and they served mshikaki as if that would heal our disappointment. Even when he started playing at Oakley Base in Kilimani – that grungy place with dodgy looking women with mouths constantly shaped into commas – I followed him.
The funny thing is that I never liked him much as a person. I interviewed him twice at the very height of his euphoria and I thought, “What a dingbat.” He was brash and lofty but then I was so intoxicated with his music that he would have had to steal my children for me to wake up from it. His PR machinery – if it was there at all – was terrible but truth be told, he didn’t need a PR machine. He was Kidum. His PR was his voice, his drums and Sheila. Of course I realized that it was my mistake anyway, that you can never really objectively interview someone you adore without losing objectivity. It’s like lending money to a chick you are chasing. That’s not a loan, that’s a donation. Social tithe. You can’t get too precious about it.
I think I woke up one morning and realized that Kidum had turned me into a goddamn groupie. You should have seen me during those interviews asking him such novice, mundane and embarrassing questions that obviously wasted his time. Questions like, “What inspires you to sing?” or even worse, “What do you do for fun?” Mediocrity galore. And when I sat down to write the interview it was gushy and I wasted countless words talking about his goddamn hat like it was the tablet with the Ten Commandments written on it.
But I still loved him. And I still followed him.
I once saw him perform at some Johnnie Walker function at Tamasha. Must have been in 2010 or 2011, I’m not sure but I know my mom had not passed then. They set up a large stage outside. I remember that day I was meeting my 1,000th follower, some pretty boy with relationship issues. Up on the stage Kidum sang with Atemi, who had a voice that had an ass on it. I watched Kidum up there, singing so heartlessly beautifully and dancing like a baby hippo and I marveled at how he owned the stage. Kidum walked onto the stage and there was no doubt that the stage was his. No doubt that he was born there and he lost his milk teeth and virginity there, that on the stage he became a man and a god in our hearts.
A month ago I was at Uptown Lounge on Kilimani Road (decent place. Sit upstairs). I was with my cousin, Yuanita, having a tipple and Millie, the manager, told me that Kidum played there every Tuesday. What! I was overjoyed. I hadn’t watched him play in two or three years. I had lost touch with his music. So one Tuesday I went there with some friends. We were told that he would start playing at 8pm. We sat at the bar and waited. At 8pm the band came on and I was surprised to see Sheila since she had left their Boda Boda Band at some point. She looked different. Her voice still sparked and combusted anything it came into contact with, but she looked sort of deflated – almost domesticated. She looked like a candle fighting to stay alight against a harsh wind. Broke my heart.
By 9pm Kidum hadn’t taken stage. At some point I called over one of their singers, Linet, and asked her what had been happening to the band and she said, well, you should talk to the boss himself. So she took me to Kidum who was in a full grey tracksuit and had just landed from Amsterdam which he endearingly referred to as ‘ngambo’. “Nimeingia kutoka ngambo,” he said. (Hehe, who comes up with some swahili words.) I reintroduced myself then made small talk about his music. Apparently he has an album out. He didn’t have copies of the cd with him, though. Smooth.
Anyway, I went back to my seat at the bar and waited. He didn’t start performing until shortly after 10pm – two hours later! Then he performed two of his songs; Imara andMulika Mwizi, I think. His voice still had the ability to awaken the comatose but then only realized he wasn’t singing when we noticed that the band was playing other renditions that weren’t his. When we checked, indeed, he wasn’t even at his drums. He had wandered to a table outside and was chatting with someone, a glass in hand. That was enough, really. So we paid and left at 10.30pm because we realized he wasn’t taking that gig seriously – and by extension, not appreciating, us, his audience, who were staying up late on a Tuesday just for him.
Here is what will happen, Kidum. One day I will wake up and I will have gotten over you. I will have moved on and gotten someone who actually gives a hoot because loving you is like being in an emotionally abusive relationship. It gets lonely. It always feels like I’m the only one who is interested in this this working. (Hehe). I feel that even though I have invested emotions into this through the years and followed you to wherever you played, even the backwater places, you have refused to invest back. You still play the same songs that we loved – and still love – many years ago. Sometimes you show up, sometimes you don’t. (You bounced me once at Uptown). And it’s tragic that even when you show up I realize that you haven’t really even showed up. It always feels like being on a date with someone who is constantly on their phone.
A day is coming Kidum that you will sing your voice hoarse and I will not be moved. You will sing “mapenzi ya fujo hayafai” but you might as well be singing an Arabic hit because I will have said “enough”, you will sing “Imara” but I will have moved on to someone who actually shows up and keeps both of his hands on deck. Then you will miss me. Oh you will. You will wish for those good old days at Psys, Langata when we all rocked up for you and we all stood up and closed our eyes in your honour as you torched our hearts with your irrepressible and wonderful talent. So keep keeping us waiting and keep playing us two songs as if they are alms.
But for now, right at this moment I’m still batting for you, albeit with stiff muscles. I will still get onto a leaking boat and cross a hippo-infested river to watch you perform “Kwetu.” Hell, I will even stand watching you dance.
But very soon I will ask you: where is this relationship going, Kibido? - Bikozulu


Discography

1. Yaramenje
2. Shamba
3. Ishano
4.Haturudi Nyuma
5 Mapenzi

Photos

Bio

The Multi-Awards Winner, Jean Pierre Nimbona a.k.a. Kidum Kibido’s song “Mungu Anaweza” has been a KORA Nominee 2016. He won 1st Place at International Song Writing Competition 2014 in the world music category. He is Burundian and East Africa Singer, composer and master drummer. Kidum Kibido is a Nairobi-based artist whose infectious tunes have hooked legions of fans in East Africa and throughout the world.

​He is also a World African Music Icon and winner of the 2012 African Grammy, The Kora. He is an Ambassador for Peace helping foster hope and reconciliation in East Africa. His secular but spiritual songs range from rocking zouk to acoustic classics, all featuring his vocal prowess. Kidum, whose nick-name was given to him by his mother and literally means a 20 litre jug, admits he was a very big baby, his musical inspiration started at age 10 when he started to play the drums. When he eventually came to Kenya as a refugee, he went off to Nairobi in search of a living and promptly joined a band as a drummer and singer; it took 4 years before Kidum Kibido eventually started writing his own songs, which was the starting point to sharing his heart and passion with the people. He has never looked back. Kidum Kibido’s first album, Yaramenje (2001), established him as the Voice of Peace in the Great Lakes region in Africa. He is a Peace Ambassador. This followed with the hugely successful Shamba album, released in 2003.

 The 2006 Ishano album portrays Kidum’s vocal best with the rocking zouk Kichuna. With the 2010 release of Haturudi Nyuma – Kidum is granted The Kora Award (the African Grammy equivalent) for his songs Mapenzi, Nitafanya and Haturudi Nyauma. In 2012, Kidum Kibido recorded the popular Hali Na Mali album which includes the successful singles Mulika Mwizi, Kimbia, Enjoy and Hali Na Mali. Kidum Kibido exhibits multiple talents as a composer, vocalist, drummer and arranger par excellence, although his earlier songs were recorded in the Kirundi language – he progressed to singing in Kiswahili where his spiritual and philosophical compositions became accessible to a wider audience. Kidum’s journey to stardom has been inspiring because of his passion, resilience and hard work, overcoming hurdles that could have easily discouraged many. Such talent and determination now finds the international artist Kidum singing in French, English and Spanish with his current BodaBoda Band, (translated as Crossing Borders) His band performs throughout Africa, Middle East, soon in Europe, Canada, USA etc. As everywhere Kidum plays on stage, his personality and talents attract new fans, and his songs touch his audience souls. Kidum Kibido has become the darling of Canadians, who have been inviting him to often perform in different cities . In August 2014, he was invited to play at one of the biggest and best festivals in the world, which is “Edmonton Folk Music Festival in the City of Edmonton, the Province of Alberta in Canada. Kidum Kibido has been asked to perform at Peace One Day founded by Jeremy Gilley on September 21st, 2016 before he goes on humanitarian world tour, starting In Australia for the first In November 2016.