Camp Mulla was an alternative hip hop group originating from and based in Nairobi, Kenya.[1] The group rose to prominence with the release of their single "Party Don't Stop" on 31 August 2010, with that and their subsequent works earning them a nomination for Best International Act (Africa) at the 2012 BET Awards. Following the release of their debut studio album, Funky Town, the group's lead singer Karun and rapper Taio both left the group to pursue higher education and solo careers. In September 2017 the main four members announced their reunion at The Wave performance at the Waterfront, Ng'ong racecourse, but soon after disbanded again. The group's musical style, fashion sense and origins have drawn comparisons to The Black Eyed Peas,[2] while they have also been criticised for making "bubblegum music".[3]

Camp Mulla
OriginNairobi, Kenya
Genres
Years active2009–2018
LabelsSub Sahara
Members
  • Karun
  • Kus Ma
  • Shappaman
  • Taio
  • Mykie Tooni
Websitecampmulla.wordpress.com

History

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2009–2012: Beginnings, rise to fame and Funky Town

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After releasing a series of experimental projects, manager Mykie Tooni and rappers Shappaman (then known as Young Kass) and Taio (then known as Taio Tripper) co-founded the group in mid-2009, with Karun (then Miss Karun) and Kus Ma (then K'Cous) joining later. Initially distributing their music online via ReverbNation, SoundCloud and SoundClick for digital download, their song "Low" was the first to gain radio airplay, having been introduced by radio presenter Eve D'Souza on Capital FM when it debuted on radio in 2009.[4]

On 31 August 2010, Camp Mulla released their first single, "Party Don't Stop", to generally positive critical acclaim, peaking at number 2 on Capital FM's "Hits Not Homework" playlist and number 13 on Homeboyz Radio's "HitList".[5] This and other songs that followed earned them several awards, including the "Teeniez' Group or Collabo" and "Teeniez' Nu Artist" awards at the 2012 Chaguo La Teeniez Awards held on 20 April 2012.[6][7][8] Camp Mulla made their first public appearance on 12 February 2011 at Collo's Valentine's Day concert, where he revealed the music video for his new song "Chini ya Maji". They then served as the opening act for Nigerian R&B duo P-Square at a live performance at The Carnivore on 26 February 2011,[9] and opened for Nigerian acts such as Naeto C and Flavour at Naija 9te (or Naija Nite) in October 2011. The group was billed to perform at the Big Brother Africa 7 opening ceremony alongside J. Cole, Davido, Aemo E'Face, P-Square, Naeto C and Flavour on 6 May 2012,[10][11][12] but did not make the show due to delays in their travelling documentation.[13] However, they went on to perform on the program's first eviction show on 13 May 2012. Camp Mulla also performed at the grand finale of the fifth season of Tusker Project Fame in 2012.[14]

Camp Mulla was nominated for Best International Act (Africa) at the 2012 BET Awards—becoming the first Kenyans ever to be nominated for a BET award in the process—alongside Lira, Mokobé and Ice Prince,[15][16][17] but lost out to eventual winners Sarkodie and Wizkid. On 29 September 2012, the group released their debut studio album, Funky Town.

2013–2016: Departures and solo projects

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In May 2013, Sub Sahara announced that lead singer Karun was leaving to pursue a solo career and further studies in the United States, with rapper Thee MC Africa also leaving to pursue a solo career.[18] Tiri Murai (known mononymously as Tiri), another Kenyan singer and Kus Ma's girlfriend, was brought in to replace Karun in June 2013 after performing live with the group at the MTV Africa All Stars concert in Durban, South Africa the previous month.[19] On 22 August 2013, Kus Ma released a solo mixtape entitled J's and Purple,[20] while Tiri followed up with a mixtape of her own, Nefertiri, on 8 March 2014.[21] On 20 April 2015, coinciding with the 4/20 celebrations, Shappaman released an extended play entitled Wild Life on Tape.[22] He followed that up with a mixtape entitled Love Wild on 2 March 2016.[23]

2017–present: Reunion and second album

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On 10 September 2017, Camp Mulla announced their return from hiatus with a performance featuring t at The Wave concert at the Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi.[24] The group is reportedly set to release their second studio album, with a date yet to be officially confirmed.[25]

Musical style

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A majority of Camp Mulla's songs incorporate hip hop and contemporary R&B. They call their musical style "2-5-Flow" or "254Low" (pronounced "two five flow"), which is a play on Kenya's calling code +254.[26]

Members

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Current members
  • Kus Ma (born Marcus Kibukosya; formerly K'Cous) – Record producer, songwriter, rapper
  • Shappaman (born Benoît Kanema; formerly Young Ka$$) – Rapper, record producer, songwriter
  • Karun (born Karungari Mungai; formerly Miss Karun) – Lead singer, songwriter, Music Producer
  • Taio (born Matthew Wakhungu; formerly Taio Tripper) – Rapper, singer, lyricist
  • Mykie Tooni (born Michael Mutooni) – Manager[27]

Timeline

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Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details
Funky Town
  • Released: 29 September 2012
  • Label: Sub Sahara
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Singles

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Title Year Album
"Party Don't Stop" (featuring Collo) 2010 Funky Town
"Feel No Pain" 2011
"Fresh All Day" 2012
"Hold It Down"

Music videos

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List of music videos with directors, showing year released[28]
Title Year Director(s)
"Walkin' on a Dream"
(Remix of "Walking on a Dream" by Empire of the Sun)
2011 Camp Mulla
"Party Don't Stop" (featuring Collo) Clarence Peters
"Addicted"
"Fresh All Day" 2012 Andrew Macharia
"Hold It Down" Clarence Peters
"Feel No Pain" Private19
"If You Believe" 2013 Enos Olik
"oH mA gAd" (featuring WondaBoy) Kevin Bosco, Jr.
"All In" (featuring M.anifest)
"Look @ Me Now" (featuring Kanja and M.anifest)
"Chafua" (featuring Collo and Tiri)

Solo discography

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Kus Ma
  • J's and Purple (2013)
Shappaman
  • Wild Life on Tape (2015)
  • Love Wild (2016)

Awards and nominations

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Year Event Recipient Award Result Reference(s)
2012 BEFFTA Awards Camp Mulla Best International Act Nominated [29][30][31][32]
BET Awards Camp Mulla Best International Act (Africa) Nominated [15][16][17]
Channel O Music Video Awards "Party Don't Stop" Best Newcomer Video Nominated [33][34][35]
"Fresh All Day" Best Duo, Group or Featuring Video Nominated
"Party Don't Stop" Best East African Video Nominated
"Fresh All Day" Video of the Year Nominated
Chaguo La Teeniez Awards "Party Don't Stop" Teeniez' Group or Collabo Won [6][7][8]
Camp Mulla Teeniez' Nu Artist Won
The Headies Camp Mulla African Artist of the Year Nominated [36][37][38][39]
Kora Awards Camp Mulla Best African Group Nominated [40][41][42][43]
MOBO Awards Camp Mulla Best African Act Nominated [44][45][46][47][48]
MTV Europe Music Awards Camp Mulla Best African Act Nominated [49][50]

References

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  1. ^ ccarltongwu (11 February 2019). "Camp Mulla's Rise and Fall". The Hip Hop African. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  2. ^ "3 Things Camp Mulla and the Black Eyed Peas Share in Common". Ghafla! News. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  3. ^ Philip Mwaniki (12 November 2011). "Why we need bubblegum music". Buzz.
  4. ^ "Camp Mulla". BET.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  5. ^ Camp Mulla – Blue Tooth MCs – StarAfrica.com – http://www.starafrica.com/en/music/news/article/camp-mulla-blue-tooth-mcs-164488.html Archived 11 September 2012 at archive.today
  6. ^ a b "CHAGUO LA TEENIEZ AWARDS 2012 WINNERS". Nairobi, Kenya: KenyanGospel.com. 21 April 2012. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Chaguo La Teeniez Awards 2012 – Winners". Nairobi, Kenya: VibeWeekly. 21 April 2012. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Here Are The Winners of the 2012 CHAT Awards (According to Ghafla)". Nairobi, Kenya: Ghafla.co.ke. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  9. ^ Camp Mulla performs LIVE at the Carnivore in Nairobi – Uploaded by CampMulla – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMlO07NKS9k
  10. ^ "News: Camp Mulla For Launch Show!". Big Brother Africa. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  11. ^ "Davido,Camp mulla,Aemo E'Face To Open 2012 BigBrother Africa". CelebRegion.com. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  12. ^ "Camp Mulla To Premiere The Big Brother Show". CelebRegion.com. 11 April 2012. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  13. ^ "Camp Mulla set to miss the premier of BBA 7". Ghafla! News. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  14. ^ "Camp Mulla Dazzle at BBA7 Live Eviction Show". VibeWeekly.com. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ a b "Best International Act: Africa – BET Awards". BET. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  16. ^ a b "Camp Mulla Nominated for BET Awards". VibeWeekly.com. 23 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  17. ^ a b "Camp Mulla Nominated For BET Awards. (Full List of Nominees)". Nairobi W!re. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  18. ^ "CAMP MULLA: Was the split inevitable?". Daily Nation. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  19. ^ "BN Exclusive: Introducing Tiri! The Newest Member of Kenyan Hip-Hop Group Camp Mulla". Bella Naija. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  20. ^ "Kus Ma New Mixtape Js& Purple Release". PRLog. Sub Sahara Entertainment. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  21. ^ "The Beautiful Tiri's Mixtape Launch". Ghafla!. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  22. ^ "ShappaMan Has Dropped His Debut EP! Have A Listen". Homeboyz Radio. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  23. ^ "Former member of Camp-Mulla ShappaMan, drops Love Wild mixtape". Kenyan Musik. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  24. ^ "Camp Mulla Come Back Bearing Gifts". Capital Campus. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  25. ^ "Are the trailblazing hip hop group Camp Mulla back?". SDE. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  26. ^ Camp Mulla: Cool Kids on the Edge of A New Frontier? – Open Mic – 29 April 2011 – http://willpress.blogspot.com/2011/04/camp-mulla-cool-kids-on-edge-of-new.html
  27. ^ WHO IS CAMP MULLA? <<campmulla - http://campmulla.wordpress.com/artists-2/ - Camp Mulla - Wordpress.com
  28. ^ "Camp Mulla Video Archive". Afrobeat360. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  29. ^ "Nonini, Nameless and Camp Mulla nominated for BEFFTA awards". The Kenyan Post. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  30. ^ "Camp Mulla Nominated For Another International Award". Jambo News Spot. 1 October 2012. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  31. ^ "Nominees – 2012 BEFFTA Awards". BEFFTA Awards. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  32. ^ "Breaking News: BEFFTA 2012 Winners Announced at a Star-studded Awards Ceremony". BEFFTA Awards. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  33. ^ "Camp Mulla Does It Again: List of All Kenyans Nominated For Channel O Music Video Awards". Ghafla! News. 3 September 2012. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  34. ^ "Camp Mulla Get Chanel O Awards Nomination, Release Funky Town". CarlThaTruth.com. 3 September 2012. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  35. ^ "Camp Mullah top Kenyan Channel O nominations". The Standard. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  36. ^ "Camp Mulla Headed For Headies Awards 2012". Vibe Weekly. 29 August 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
  37. ^ "Camp Mulla nominated for The Headies 2012". Zimbio. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  38. ^ "Camp Mulla invading the Headies". Channel O at DStv. 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  39. ^ "Camp Mulla Lose to Sarkodie at the Headies". Hot Secrets. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  40. ^ "Full List: Kenyan Artistes Nominated for KORA Awards". Ghafla! News. 1 November 2012. Archived from the original on 21 March 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  41. ^ Muchiri, John (3 November 2012). "Awards: Camp Mulla raising Kenyan flag high in the continent". The Daily Nation. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  42. ^ "Marya, Jimmy Gait, Redsan and Camp Mulla to know their fate…….KORA awards". The Kenyan Daily Post. 28 December 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  43. ^ "Marya, Camp Mulla et al miss out ……KORA Awards". The Kenyan Daily Post. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  44. ^ "Breaking News: Camp Mulla nominated for M.O.B.O Awards!". Ghafla! News. 18 September 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  45. ^ "Camp Mulla Nominated For MOBO Awards 2012". Vibe Weekly. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
  46. ^ "Vote, vote, vote: Camp Mulla for MOBO Awards". PressPlay.co.ke. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
  47. ^ "Camp Mulla nominated for MOBO Awards". The Star. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  48. ^ "Camp Mulla Nominated For Mobo Awards". 89.5 FM Ghetto Radio. 19 September 2012. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  49. ^ "Camp Mulla Nominated at the MTV EMAs. That's Two Big Nominations on the Same Day!". Ghafla! News. 18 September 2012. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  50. ^ "Camp Mulla Bag MTV EMA nomination". PressPlay.co.ke News. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
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