Innocent and his Reggae Music
Long before Bongo Flava - there was Innocent and he is still at it. Innocent has produced over 5 albums. He is a Rasta man who has managed to produce music balancing both reggae and his Tanzanian roots.
His message is real and genuine, which you quickly pick up on when you talk to him. For example upon hearing his hit song "KILIMANJARO", one could think that the message is about the famous majestic mountain in Africa...but paying more attention you quickly realize that there is a heavy message with references to oppressive governments, corrupt officials and starving children. The song takes you to the highest mountain in Africa with visions of all atrocities going on underneath.
His true dedication to the message of international injusticies and the unpriviledged people in the world, makes Innocent a rare breed.
His live performances are very refreshing since one can enjoy "real" music where people actually know how to play the musical instruments as opposed to rhyming words over a pre-arranged musical loop from a computer.
Along with a supporting cast of musicians, Innocent has endured a test of time. He and Onesmo Kibira first started Les Exodus until they spun off to form INNOCENT. Onesmo and Ino have been performing together since they were teenagers in Dar es salaam few moons back.
In 1993, opening for major artists such as Sugar Minot, Judy Mowatt, Sister Carol, Wailing Souls, Freddy McGregor, The Wailers, Skatellites and more, an independent label, Umoja Records and Innocent w/ Les Exodus produced a CD. Kilimanjaro was released in April 1992 and the reviews were overwhelming. All the tracks were original compositions and lyrics by Innocent. Reggae Report Magazine voted "Kilimanjaro" as one of the top 10 independent releases of 1993.
Increasingly over the years, where music is concerned, reggae has become the international language. Innocent's "Greetings From Africa" is an excellent case in point. Innocent is a good name for this singer/songwriter (his full moniker is Innocent Mfalingundi): whether singing in Swahili or English, Innocent conveys a sense of musical delight, a thoughtful state of mind, and a serious intent to change the world in one broad stroke. Reggae, which started in Jamaica, then gripped millions of people globally with a fever that made it all their own, now belongs to the world.