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The Kikuyu of Central Province make up Kenya's largest ethnic group, but surprisingly little of their music has percolated beyond the ranks of the Kikuyu. The godfather of Kikuyu pop Joseph Kamaru burst onto the scene in 1967 with a Kikuyu take on benga that also nods to country-and-western music. Kamaru rejects love songs to focus playfully but pointedly on a variety of social topics using masterful "deep Kikuyu," full of proverbs and metaphors. Kamaru's "X-rated, Adults Only" shows remained a draw until he became a born-again Christian in 1993 and embarked upon a new career in gospel. Peter Kigia and the Chania River Boys also take on social themes, while Councilor DK sings love songs that are popular with the young crowd.
Kamba people inhabit the parched highlands south and east of Nairobi and play music close to the benga/rumba mainstream, but with distinct local melodies. In the '70s and '80s, the Kamba audience favored Peter Mwambi and his Kyanganga Boys, while Kakai Kilonzo's Kilimambogo Brothers sang in Swahili and achieved mainstream success. Having produced a string of Kamba/Swahili crossover hits in the '90s, the Katitu Boys now rank as one of the top dance acts in Nairobi.">
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