Musa Juma was born on December 6, 1970 in Kenya, Nyanza Province, Siaya District, Uranga Division, Nyadorera Location on 6th Dec 1975. He was a rumba and Benga musician from Kenya. He was the bandleader, guitarist and composer for Orchestra Limpopo International. Most of his music were sung in Dholuo language.
Background
Juma grew up in Homa Bay District where he also attended school, both primary and secondary level.
He was born to a poor family, he says. The son of a policeman, Musa’s childhood was one characterized by struggle and ridicule by the society. “My father had three wives and I was born of the second wife. We were 18 children “. Their Father had to cater for them with his meager income.
“A policeman’s salary during the 1970s and 1980s was around sh,2800”, he says. As expected, everything was a challenge, including the children’s education…. Especially after my father retired in 1984. “We mostly depended on farming and whenever the rains falls spelled doom for us”. The compound had houses whose condition reflected the family’s poverty. When it rained, we would gather at one corner of the house and stand still, as most of the roof leaked.
“There was time I was so overwhelmed that I went down on my knees and literally asked God why us. “I have walked in tatters and literally tasted poverty in every sense of the word,” says Musa with a sigh.Juma’s love for music began while still at Homa Bay School, where he was a student. “My first instruments were tins,” he recalls. Shortly after completing my education, i decided to become a musician. “The society laughed because musicians were not highly regarded”, he says. Determined, i made my first guitar from a fine wood. To make matters worse, after the death of my father and elder brother, the mantle of the family rested upon my shoulders hence many saw my venture into music as a curse of sorts.
They saw our family as cursed, with no way out of poverty”, he recalls. In 1990, Musa, together with his Younger brother Tony Omondi (also a musician, composer and vocalist), launched Limpopo International. They recorded their first album in 1992, but could not get airplay on the local radio stations for more than 15 years.
today a strict disciplinarian, Musa has regained some glory for his family. The homestead that was once shunned has become the pride of many.
Music Career
Musa Juma started out on the road of music aged 10 at the inspiration of Franco Luambo Makiadi the Congo legend. Despite his tender age, he started playing guitar, his favorite pastime, with the belief that he would one day be a musician.
Upon completing high school in 1990, he ventured in to the business field, dealing in general merchandise, this was temporary. He later realized this was not his field and decided to join Solar Africa band to do what he knew best; play music. He was the lead guitarist-singer-cum-composer until 1992 when he broke up to form Orchestra Limpopo International band.
Some of most popular songs by Musa Juma were “Hera Mudho”, “Ufisadi”, “Mercelina”, and “Freddy”. He released eight albums, the last of them being titled Lake Victoria.
Personal Information
Musa Juma has established a Trust Fund to aid in Educating and nurturing music talent. It will also help Widows and Widowers through income generating projects. Through the Trust Fund he also aims to set up feeding programme’s that will be a granary for especially orphanage, This fund will be open to Donors who may specify what programme their contribution goes to, one of the several specific programmes that needs quality sound studio for quality music.
Death
He died of pneumonia on March 15, 2011 at Mombasa Hospital.
Family and Wife
He had a lovely wife by the name Winnie Juma.
Musa Juma Songs
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![Musa Juma]()
Musa Juma
Osiepe
1969 - Hera Mudho
1969 - Odundo
Freddy · 2006 - Ongolo
Hera Mwandu, Vol. 4 · 2006 - Mayaka
1969 - Maselina
1969 - Clackson
Awards
WIDELY APROVED ALL OVER THE WORLD
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