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Wanyika

OtherKenya

Pioneering the rumba sound that would define East African dance floors, Wanyika brought Congolese rhythms into conversation with Kenyan vocal traditions, creating a genre-bending style that electrified audiences across the continent from the 1970s onward. Their infectious grooves and sophisticated guitar work established a blueprint for modern Kenyan pop and cemented their place as architects of a distinctly East African sound that bridged colonial borders through music. Wanyika's legacy reverberates through generations of musicians who inherited both their technical innovations and their commitment to making music that moved bodies and spirits in equal measure.

Discography

Albums

Mpenzi Fikiri b/w Wananchi Msiwe Kupe

1960

Kiboko b/w Twamuomba Mola

1969

Mwenge b/w Marafiki Zangu

1969

Ahadi Yako b/w Maria Cha Cha

1969

Sabasaba b/w/ Dunia Imenisonga

1969

Mpenzi Nimesha Fika b/w Uwa Wako Niwe Wangu

1969

Masoka Yako b/w Mpendo Rizika

1969

Bibi Mwenye Chongo b/w Ewe Wangu Mpenzi

1970

Nafikiria Kurudi Shamba b/w Fikeni Jamhuri

1970

Shingo ya Upanga b/w Kipande cha Papa

1970

Simba Mwituni b/w Waswasi Ondoa

1970

Mama Suzie / Mary Mtoto

Polydor1970

Tutengane Salama / Mama Niache

Polydor1970

Kibodi b/w Fadhili Iwapi

1971

Magdalena b/w Pesa Sina Mfukoni

1971

Susana b/w Sophia Amerika

1971

Greatest Hits

Phillips1971

1[A] Shingo ya Upanga / Ooh Masikini / Sasa Wako Chonjo / Wasiwasi Ondoa

2[B] Mganga Pt 1 / Mganga Pt 2 / Simba Mwituni / Nafikiria Kurudi Shamba / Chawa

3Various Artists

African Gold Vol. 4?

1971

1Various Artists

African Gold Vol. 5?

1971

1Jamhuri Jazz Band

African Gold Vol. 6?

1971

1[A] Shingo ya Upanga / Ooh Masikini / Sasa Wako Chonjo / Wasi Wasi Ondoa

2[B] Mganga No. 1 / Mganga No. 2 / Simba Mwituni / Nafikiri Kurudi Shamba / Chawa

Eliza Wangu

Polydor1973

Roza Kipenzi

1973

Uningoje

1973

Riida Ukumbuhe

1974

Karolina

1975

Mombasa Kisiwani

1975

Jiburudisheni na Simba Wanyika Vol. 1

1975

1[A] Dunia Haina Wema / Kijana Tushirikiane / Halima No. 2 / Lina Chunga Pesa

2[B] I Love You Madina / Mchumba Banitaki / Sophy No. 3 / Naepusa Mama

Jiburudisheni na Simba Wanyika Vol. 2

1975

1[A] Mwenzangu Usinichukie Part 1 / Mwenzangu Usinichukie Part 2 / Maselina Part 1 / Maselina Part 2

Jamebaki Mazola Pt. 1

1976

Nakupenda Pt. 1

1977

Pesa Taabu Sana Pt. 1

1977

Daina Pt. 1

1979

Sikujua Utabadilika Pt. 1

1979

Hit Parade Number 1

1979

1[A] Sikujua Utabadilika (Simba Wanyika) / Sina Makosa (Les Wanyika)

2[B] Sauda Unatia Aibu (DDC Mlimani Park Orchestra) / Charo Ni Wasi (Maroon Commandos)

Paulina Pt. 1 b/w Paulina Pt. 2

1979

Sina Makosa Pt. 1

1979

New Dance "Les Les"

1979

1[A] Pamela / Wazazi

2[B] Nisaidie Baba / Usia wa Baba

Dunia Pt. 1 b/w? Dunia Pt. 2?

1980

Pamela Pt. 1 b/w Pamela Pt. 2

1980

Kajituliza Kasuku Pt. 1 b/w Kajituliza Kasuku Pt. 2

1980

Greatest Hits - Sina Makosa

1980

1[A] Contents unknown

2[B] Contents unknown

Jessica Pt. 1

1980

1ORCHESTRA JOBISO

Nakupenda Sherry Pt. 1 b/w Nakupenda Sherry Pt. 2

1980

Mwana Wa Kambo Pt. 1 b/w Mwana Wa Kambo Pt. 2

1980

Pole Jobiso Pt. 1 b/w Pole Jobiso Pt. 2

1980

Pole

1980

1[A] Pole / Pamela No. 3

2[B] Epuka Kizai-zai No. 3 / Baba Asiya No. 3

3SUPER WANYIKA STARS

4??

Mpita Njia Pt. 1 / Mpita Njia Pt. 2?

1980

Simimi Pt. 1 / Simimi Pt. 2?

1980

Wacha Waseme Pt. 1 b/w Wacha Waseme Pt. 2

1980

Ateka Pt. 1 b/w Ateka Pt. 2

1980

Dunia Ya Sasa Pt. 1 b/w Dunia Ya Sasa Pt. 2

1980

Kaka Yangu Pt. 1 b/w Kaka Yangu Pt. 2

1980

Si Kosa Langu Pt. 1 b/w Si Kosa Langu Pt. 2

1980

Sigalame Pt. 1 b/w Sigalame Pt. 2

1980

Kaka Sulemani Pt. 1 b/w Kaka Sulemani Pt. 2

1980

Nifanye Nini Pt. 1 b/w Nifanyi Nini Pt. 2

1980

Matatizo Nimeyazoea Pt. 1 b/w Matatizo Nimeyazoea Pt. 2

1980

Wafanyi Kazi Pt. 1 b/w Wafanyi Kazi Pt. 2

1980

Teresia Pt. 1 b/w Teresia Pt. 2

MMM Panther Sounds Panther1980

Sigalame!

1980

1[A] Sigalame / Atieno / Dunia ya Sasa Pt. 1

2[B] Uchungu wa Mwana / Sitaki Maneno / Dunia ya Sasa Pt. 2

Safari

1980

1[A] Safari / Nakupenda Lakini / Salima Pt. 1

2[B] Bomanga / Chuki ya Nini / Salima Pt. 2

Mwana wa Ifwe

1980

1[A] ?

2[B] ?

Irene?

1980

1[A] Irene / Jacinta / Bwana Opinda Pt. 1

2[B] Mama Nyamala / Zangaro / Bwana Opinda Pt. 2

Nilipo Zaliwa Pt. 1

1981

Mbaya Wako Rafiki Yako Pt. 1 b/w Mbaya Wako Rakiki Yako Pt. 2

1981

Uvivu Mbaya

1981

AFC Leopard Pt. 1 b/w AFC Leopard Pt. 2

1982

Naogopa Pt. 1 b/w Naogopa Pt. 2

1982

Nimebaki Upweke Pt. 1 b/w Nimebaki Upweke Pt. 2

1982

Shida Zako Pt. 1 b/w Shida Zako Pt. 2

1982

Matatizo Nimeyazoea

1982

1[A] Matatizo Nimeyazoea / Lawama

2[B] Anita / Wafnyi Kazi

Shilingi Pt. 1 / Shilingi Pt. 2

1983

Swahili Special Hit Parade 1983

1983

1[A] Shillingi (Simba Wanyika) / Balaa Nyumbani (Kurugenzi Jazz)

2[B] Maisha ya Amba (Vijana Jazz) / Amua Nikuachie Kazi (Maroon Commandos)

African Gold Vol. 1

1983

1[A] Kifo cha Mbaraka Mwinshehe (Orchestra Magola International) / Ubaya (Orchestra Mlimani Park)

2[B] Mama Ester (Orchestra Simba Wanyika) / Stellah Mwenye Fikara Nzuri (Orchestra Vijana Jazz)

Shillingi Manu Tena Yaua

1983

1[A] Shillingi / Mpenzi Rejea

2[B] Wana Wanyika / Mwana Sika

Heshima Mbele (Tulia Ukae) Pt. 1 b/w Heshima Mbele (Tulia Ukae) Pt. 2

1983

Mony Pt. 1 b/w Mony Pt. 2

1983

Dunia Ki Geu-Geu Pt. 1 b/w Dunia Ki Geu-Geu Pt. 2

1983

Lawama Pt. 1 b/w Lawama Pt. 2

1983

1Issa Juma & Super Wanyika

2Anita Pt. 1 b/w Anita Pt. 2

3Wanyika Stars

4Kaka Yangu Pt. 1 b/w Kaka Yangu Pt. 2

Dunia Kigeu-geu

1984

Mpita-Njia

1984

1[A] Si Mimi / Barua

2[B] Sauda / Mpita-Njia

Pole Pole

1984

1[A] Rafiki Yangu / Ateka

2[B] Utalia na Nani / Pole Pole

Bwana Musa

1984

1[A] Bwana Musa / Carolina

2[B] Mwanaidi / Mary

It's My Discothek Vol. 1?

1985

1[A] Disco Chakacha (Mombasa Roots Band) / Vielly (Habel Kifoto)?

2[B] Mwana Sikia (Simba Wanyika) / Mala Lea Mtoto (Safari Sound Band)

It's My Discothek Vol. 2?

1985

1[A] Mwenda Pole (Simba Wanyika) / Mabibi Za Watu (Moreno Batamba & Orchestra Shika Shika)

2[B] Furaha Ya Bibi (Sam Mangwana) / Naenda Safari (Laban Ochuka & Maroon Commandos)

Mwana Sikia No. 2 Pt. 1

1985

Maicha Pt. 1

1985

Haleluya Pt. 1

1985

Dunia Kigeu-geu

1985

Haleluya

1985

1[A] Haleluya / Mama Nyange

2[B] Mapenzi Yaniua / Baba na Mama

Kanyama Pt. 1

1986

Kenya Vol. 1: Baba Asiya

1986

1[A] Baba Asiya / Marceline #2

2[B] Tushirikiane / Hasira Hasara

Mama Niache Niteseke Pt. 1 b/w Mama Niache Niteseke Pt. 2

1986

Sigalame 2

1986

1[A] Pole Issa / Mony

2[B] Sigalame 2 / Maria

Mama Suzie

1987

1[A] Mama Suzie / Mary Mama / Bado Nakupenda / Eliza Wangu / Jose Twende Zaire

2[B] Kwaheri Mpenzi / Sela Mbaa-Mbaa / Usinelewe Vibaya / Mbaya Wako Rafikiyo / Ewe Kijana

Hits of Jamhuri Jazz

1988

1[A] Sasa Waka Chonjo / Safari / Wasi Wasi Ondoa / Mama Watoto

2[B] Ooh Masikini / Susana / Usinichukie Bure / Ewe Kisura

Dunia Haina Wema

1988

1[A]? Pamela / Yamebaki Mazoea / Mbele ya Mungu

2[B]? Dunia Haina Wema / Leka Ulole / Lina Linda Pesa / Mama Sofia

Mapenzi Ni Damu

1988

1[A] Mapenzi Ni Damu / Dunia Ina Taabu

2[B] Marieta / Watu Husema

Nilipi La Ajabu

1988

1[A] Afro / Mambo Yamebadilika

2[B] Safari Sio Kifo / Nilipi la Ajabu

Maisha Si Nguvu

1988

1[A] Baba Asiya / Baba Wana Vipi

2[B] Mama Nawe Hatujakosana / Epuka Kizai-zai

Heshima Kidogo

1988

1[A] Heshima Kidogo / Mama Mzazi

2[B] Sakina / Christmas

Zilizopendwa Vol. 2

1989

1[A] Mganga No 1 & 2 / Simba Mwituni / Nafikiria Kurudi Shamba / Chawa

2[B] Wivu wa Urongo / Maselina / Rafiki Si Wema / Mtoto wa Kambo

Nimaru

1989

1[A] Nimaru / Mama Watoto

2[B] Mume Wangu Waniteza / Shemeji Agnes

Natafuta Mwali

1989

1[A] Natafuta Mwali / Epuka Kisanga

2[B] Tatizo La Pesa / Maicha

Tembea Kijana

1989

1[A] Tembea Kijana / Rafiki Mdaku

2[B] Tamaa Wacha / Mchumba Wangu

Mama Kei

1989

1[A] Mama K / Walimwengu

2[B] Rebecca / Zuwena

Guitar Paradise of East Africa

1990

Mapenzi ya Weekend

1990

1[A] Mapenzi ya Weekend / Kipenzi Changu Tulia

2[B] Baba Mbele / Chiku Wacha Tamaa

Mbere Ya Mungu

1990

1[A] Punguza Papara Zako / Pesa Ni Taabu Sana

2[B] Pamela / Mbere Ya Mungu / Leka Ulole

African Stars Collection Vol. 2

Jumbo Jet1990

1[A] Pamela/ Mbele ya Mungu / Leka Olole

2[B] Punguza Papara Zako Pt. 1 / Pesa Ni Taabu

Memorial Simba Wanyika

1990

1[A] Tuzo kwa Wazazi / Kinacho Mliza Mama / Kilimanjaro

2[B] Dalili Zako / Tushirikiane / Dada Asha

Wanyika

1990

1[A] Wanyika / Watanzania Ulimwengu / Kwaheri Mpenzi / Sela Mbaa

2Mbaa

3[B] Usinielewe Vibaya / Mbaya Wako Rafikiyo / Maselina / Sabina Turual Taveta / Busara Nimechoka

4LES WANYIKA

5Sadly, Omar Shabani died in 1997, and John Ngereza followed him in 2002.

Kenya Dance Mania

1990

Les Les Non Stop '90

1990

1[A] Nimaru / Safari Sio Kifo / Sina Makosa / Mama Watoto / Nilipi la Ajabu

2[B] Afro / Shemeji Agnes / Heshimu Wazazi / Kwanza Jiulize / Mume Wangu Wanitesa

Greatest Hits of Less Wanyika

1990

1[A] Sina Makosa / Kwana Jiulize / Mbaya Wako Rafiki Yako

2[B] Tafua Wako / Barua Yako / Kajituliza Kasuku

Wasemanyo Waimbaji Wetu?

1990

1[A] Haki Zetu (John Ngereza) / Wivu na Fitina (Justus Kasoya) / Tuelewane Ndugu (Abdul Muyonga)

2[B] Kujenga Nyumba (Prof. Omari) / Ufukara Sio Kilema (John Ngereza) / Alice Samba (Justus Kasoya)

Safari na Samburu

1990

1[A] Safari na Samburu / Mpenzi Rukia

2[B] Penzi Halina Siri / Masikitiko

Weekend na Les Wanyika

1990

1[A] Mama Mzazi / Lift kwa Jirani / Weekend

2[B] Jina Langu Mambo / Esta Nikubuke / Chunga Watoto

The Best of Professor Omar Shabani & John Ngereza - Paulina??

1990

1Paulina / Pamela / Haki Zetu / Kajituliza Kasuku / Kujenga Nyumba / Ufukara Sio Kilema

Sigalame 2

1990

1[A] Sigalame 2 / Rafiki Yangu / Mony

2[B] Ateka / Pole Pole / Sarah

Sumu Ya Mapenzi?

1990

1[A] Sumu Ya Mapenzi / Dunia Ina Mambo

2[B] Nachunga Heshima / Kichombe Ro

3MAVALO KINGS

Wanawake Hawana Wivu

1990

1[A] Wanawake Hawana Wivu / Safari ya Mombasa / Mama wa Kambo

2[B] Muungano wa Africa / Kuishi Ni Bahati / Gracecar

Kabibi

1991

1[A] Kabibi / Mama Capol

2[B] Ema / Penzi Ni Damu

Rebecca?

1991

1[A] Rebecca / Tusikizane

2[B] Karibuni / Monica

Pepea

1992

1Mwongele / Wenzako / Pamela / Sikujua Utabadilika / Nakupenda Cherie / Pole Pole / Maria

Greatest Hits Vol. 1

1993

1[A] Mwenda Pole / Mwanasikia / Kanyama

2[B] Maicha / Wana Wanyika / Baba Nyange

Fitina

1995

1[A] Fitina / Mke Wangu / Kawaii

2[B] Zaina / Maria / Kubali Kosa

Maisha Ni Mapambano

1995

1[A] Pongezi Kina Mama / Maisha Ni Mapambano / Ubaya Hauna Cheo

2[B] Nicholas Magara / Tamaa Mbaya / Amigo

Amigo

1997

Penzi Halina Siri

1998

1[A] Safari ya Samburu / Emma / Nimebaki Upweke

2[B] Penzi Halina Siri / Naogopa / Mama Carol

Watenda Wema?

1999

1EVEREST KINGS

Shangazi Naomba Taiti Vol. 1

2000

Sina Makosa

2000

Nivishe Pete

2000

Hits of Jamhuri Jazz Band Vol. 1 - Wanyama Wakali

2001

1Nafisa / Pendo Pesa / Rosa / Sikushauri Kitu / Nimezoea Kufiwa / Aza / Joyce / Isabella

Hits of Jamhuri Jazz Band Vol. 2 - Budget Beater

2001

Hits of Jamhuri Jazz Band Vol. 3 - Fadhili Wapi Kwa Mwana-Adamu

2001

1ARUSHA JAZZ BAND

Stella Wangu

2004

Singles

Sina Makosa b/w Maisha Ya Mjini

1980

Nimeshakwambia Pt. 1 b/w Nimeshakwambia Pt. 2

1980

Ma Eliza Pt. 1 b/w Ma Eliza Pt. 2

1980

Nakupenda Sherry b/w Mwana Wa Kambo

1981

Pole Jobiso / Safi

1981

Djalenga

1983

1[A] Djalenga (Prince Lessa Lassan) / Etali Yomoko (Super Lovy)

2[B] Nimesha - Kwambia (Super Wanyika) / Tatukama (Prince Lessa Lassan)