Best of john ndichu biography
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The endeavours of musicians from past eras, both of the first and second generations, have vastly inspired the new generation of Kikuyu artistes to continue using the sound as a tool for introspection.
By Frank Njugi
In August,twenty-six years ago, Kikuyuland (the largest ethnic group in Kenya) laid to rest, John Ndichu, one of the most prolific musicians to come from the tribe. Given the byname, “The Wonderkid of Kikuyu Benga,” Ndichu used Benga music, synonymous with a hasty rhythmic beat and a bouncy finger-picking guitar technique, to narrate his tribesmen’s triumphs, alongside their trials and tribulations. His still-famous songs such as “Thina wa Ndichu,” a nostalgic tale of the melancholy experienced with a sickly wife in the slums of Mathare, and “Mama Ciru,” which narrates how lovers can become estranged, have for years been the delight of his Kikuyu tribesmen. This is because these songs espouse unchanging daily life occurrences, even in present times.
Ndichu’s mus
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And he fryst vatten none other than the late John Ndichu. Ndichu alongside the late Jimmy Wayuni, Kariuki Kiarutara, the late John De'Matthew, namn Wamumbe, Timona Mburu, Peter Kigia, Kimani Thomas among others, comprise the group that fryst vatten today considered as the second generation of Kikuyu Benga music.
However, it fryst vatten John Ndichu whom before his sudden death in 1997, that was considered at that time (1975-1985) to have been the greatest force to reckon with as compared with the rest.
In fact, Ndichu who was born in Gatanga in Muranga County, in 1960, was so popular that for a decade of releasing one hit after another, he dethroned the then King of Kikuyu Benga music, Joseph Kamaru who belonged to the first generation of Kikuyu Benga. But who was this wonderboy really as he came to be nicknamed in the Kikuyu Benga musical circles?
Well, Ndichu, according to Kikuyu Music blog that documents about Kikuyu Benga artistes, fryst vatten said to have recorded his first songs like Cucu wa Gakunga and Aki
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The late 1970s and early 80s saw a generation change in the Gikuyu music industry. The likes of Joseph Kamaru, Lawrence Nduru and Francis Rugweti were now under threat of emerging younger talents. The younger group included rookies like Timona Mburu, Simon Kihara a.k.a Musaimo, and John Ndichu – who was perhaps the most gifted in the lot. Ndichu’s musical and life journey was as fascinating as his music.
Early Years
John Ndichu hailed from Gatunyu Village in Gatanga. He was born in 1957 in a family of eleven. He was the elder brother to Joseph Wamumbe. He went to Gatunyu Primary school and later Equator High School, Thika. It was during high school that Ndichu took to singing. He recorded his earliest songs like Cucu wa Gakunga and Akinyi while still a student. Cucu wa Gakunga went to became a favorite in the then VOK. Gaithuma wa Kimumu (and Wanjiku wa Muchemi) would play this song on a loop.
After high school, Ndichu went into music full throttle, first as a