View source for Genge

{{about|the music genre|people named Genge|Genge (surname)}}
{{Short description|Music genre}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox music genre
| name = Genge
| stylistic_origins = [[Hip hop]], [[dancehall]], [[Music of Africa|Traditional African music]], [[Reggaeton]]
| cultural_origins = 1990s, [[Nairobi]], Kenya
| instruments = [[Rapping]], Vocals, [[Keyboard (instrument)|Keyboard]], [[Sampler (musical instrument)|Sampler]]
| popularity = 
| derivatives = [[Kenyan hip hop]]
| fusiongenres = 
| subgenrelist = 
| subgenres = Ghipuka, Gengetone
| regional_scenes = [[Kenya]]
| other_topics = 
}}
{{Culture of Kenya}}
'''Genge music''' is a genre of [[hip hop music|hip-hop music]] influenced by [[dancehall music|dancehall]], originating from [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]] in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Goldsmith|first=Melissa Ursula Dawn|chapter=Kenya|editor-last1=Goldsmith|editor-first1=Melissa Ursula Dawn |editor-last2=Fonseca |editor-first2=Anthony J.|year=2018|title=Hip Hop around the World: An Encyclopedia |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=393 |isbn=9780313357596}}</ref> The term "[[Gengetone Music|Genge]]" was coined by producer [[Clemo]] and popularized by Kenyan rappers [[Jua Cali]] and [[Nonini]] at [[Calif Records]]. The genre is commonly performed in [[Sheng slang|Sheng]], a mixture Swahili, English and various local dialects. The word "Genge" itself comes from [[Sheng slang]], meaning "a group or a mass of people." 

==Origins and characteristics==
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2021}}
As Kenyan urban music became more popular, Kenyan artists and music fans were missing a common name for their music, and many names were suggested. Among them were [[Boomba music]], [[Kapuka rap|kapuka]], and gemba. Around this time,{{When|date=October 2023}} Kenyan rapper [[Nonini]] started a campaign to popularize the term "genge" to refer to Kenyan urban music and also specifically to music by artists on Calif Records.

Calif-style genge was founded by Clement "Clemo" Rapudo of [[Calif Records]] and originated in California Estate, [[Nairobi]]. It was popularized by rappers Nonini, with his song ''Manzi wa Nairobi,'' and [[Jua Cali]], with the songs ''Ngeli ya Genge'', ''Nipe Asali,'' and ''Ruka''.

Due to a disagreement on the definition of Kenyan urban music, the name genge is now more commonly used to describe music from Calif Records. However, genge is easily identified by its rapping style and conversational rhythm format that make a song sound like a casual discussion in Sheng.

The most notable genge artists are Nonini, [[P-Unit]], Jua Cali, [[Influx Swagga]],  Flexx, [[Jimw@t]], [[Rat-a-tat|Rat-a-Tat]], Alpha Msanii, Lady S (deceased), [[Kleptomaniax]], and [[Pili Pili]], among others. Nonini was continuously the most popular artist on Calif Records between the years 2002 and 2004; Nonini is the self-titled Godfather of Genge.

Genge has given rise to other subgenres, such as the [[Ghipuka]], popularized by [[Kenrazy]] and [[Gengetone Music|Gengetone]]. The main line has also developed, for instance with America-based producer Keggah adapting genge into a form that has proved popular among Kenyans.

In June 2018, an Umoja-based boy band called Ethic Entertainment came out with their debut song "Lamba Lolo," garnering over 4 million views on YouTube. Other boy bands like Boondocks Gang, Ochungulo Family, Sailors Gang, Wakali Wao, Angry Panda, Wakadinali, Vintage Clan, and Rico Gang produced songs that created the subgenre [[Gengeton|Gengetone]]. 

Genge songs generally talk about struggles in the ghetto, with most songs taking on a storytelling format where the main singer is reliving or sharing an event they witnessed with their friends and the lesson the event has taught them. These events often, but not always, revolve around sex, drugs, women, or interactions with people in positions of power over them.

Some of the most popular genge tracks include:<br>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;"|Artist
! style="text-align:center;"|Title
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[Nonini]]
| Manzi wa Nairobi
|-
|Moyoni
|-
|Kadhaa
|-
| We Kamu
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Jua Cali]]
| Ruka
|-
|Bongo La Biashara
|-
|Ngeli Ya Genge
|-
| Kiasi
|-
| Bidii Yangu
|-
|
|Kwaheri
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Pilipili]]
| Morale<br><small>(featuring Rat-a-tat)</small>
|-
| Kamata Dame
|-
| [[Jimw@t]]
| Under 18, 
Sitoi Kitu Kidogo
|- 
|}

==See also==
*[[Kenyan hip hop]]
*[[Boomba music|Boomba]], another form of Kenyan hip-hop

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Genres of African popular music}}
{{Hiphop}}

[[Category:Kenyan hip-hop]]
[[Category:Music of Kenya]]
[[Category:Hip-hop genres]]
[[Category:African-American music in Africa]]
[[Category:Swahili words and phrases]]