Papi OdeQ is a SINGER/SONG-WRITER and also the FOUNDER and LEAD SINGER of TAMASHA BEATS, a band that he co-founded in 2008. Papi is also an accomplished PERCUSSIONIST.

 

Papi OdeQ is a 'new' crop of Benga Musicians who seek to ensure that this most successful genre of Kenya's  pop music regains its position at the apex of World Music and Cultures.

Inspired by the Benga Music greats - Ochieng' Kabaselle, Dr. Osito Kalle, Ochieng' Nelly, Musa Juma, Okatch Biggy, Joseph Kamaru, Newton Karish, John De Mathew - Papi, in partnership with Bass Guitar maestro Ricky Nanjero (Ricky Na Marafiki Band) and Lead Guitar genius John Onyango Were, recently released a collaborative Benga Music project called SOKO HURU PROJECT. The 10 Track album, which seeks a renaissance of Benga Music, arguably Kenya's foremost and most authentic 'dance music', was a brainchild of the three musicians. The music in the album also borrows heavily from Kenya's traditional music styles but also features splashes of other contemporary styles - jazz, blues, rock etc.

Other inspirations to Papi's music include 'King of Omutibo Music' George Mukabi, Daudi Kabaka, Fadhili Williams, Aluoch Kanindo etc. 

 

Papi OdeQ grew up in the sprawling Maringo Estate of Nairobi in Kenya. As a child growing up in the notorious Eastlands Area of Nairobi, Papi witnessed many a young people being consumed by crime and drugs around Maringo Estate but he managed to escape all these vices by, diving head-first, into performing arts, way back in 2001 i.e after completing his Secondary School education.

 

Papi grew up listening to lots of Benga, Rhumba and Kenyan-Folk Music that was always played by his father on the old record player. These genres of music have greatly influenced Papi's choice of music.

 

Papi sings in several ethnic dialects of Kenya (His native Dholuo dialect, Kikuyu, Maasai, Kalenjin, Kisii, Kamba etc) but also in English & Swahili.

 

Papi OdeQ is not only a Singer & a Songwriter, but also an accomplished actor (Stage & Screen) & Film Script-Writer.

 

Over the years, he has not only played with various leading bands in Kenya but also starred in full-length movies, including; SHATTERED (Alongside Nigeria’s RITA DOMINIC) and leading TV Drama Series, among them WASH & SET and MALI, both on NTV.

 

Papi OdeQ has featured in, among others, the following stage plays/musicals as part of the cast:

 

  - OUT OF AFRICA MUSICAL- EUROPE TOUR- 2012,

  - ERIC WAINAINA’S LWANDA: A GHETTO STORY- KENYA           TOUR- 2007/08,

  - MUMBI KAIGWA’S KIGEZINDOTO- EUROPE TOUR- 2006.

 

Papi and Tamasha Beats released the first album, UNVEILED! in 2011. The album features, mostly, traditional and sacred folk music done in rich four-part male harmonies and sung in various Kenyan ethnic dialects!

 

In 2017 Papi released a sophomore studio album, WATU SIMBA (Kilio Cha Kenya)

 

Watch us on: www.youtube.com/tamashabeats,