Random 56 Bars

A few weeks ago I put pen to paper and recorded the first verse using an iPad's internal mic. After the crazy support and love I received since releasing that version, I have completed the song and made it available for download.
Enjoy!

Niko Tu Sawa [J Cole's Deja Vu Instrumental]

Loving those you love is everyday life sometimes though there are misunderstandings and all you can ask for is time to figure out things and do better. Written initially for his newborn son Rigga explores the different sides to being in love and loving others.

Chumbani - E.P.

Nipe Time

A few days ago I was challenged by some fellow musicians to release One Song A Month (OSAM) for the rest of 2019.
Here's my first release for the #osamchallenge
"Moving"

Moving

Rigga - Moving

My 2nd #osamchallenge release. I'm hoping it'll get you up on your feet.

Rigga performing Every Man, Woman & Child. © 2019
Lead Guitar by Benjamin Kabaseke
Audio Production by Jaaz Odongo
Mixing & Mastering by Rigga

Follow Rigga:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/itsrigga
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/riggaman
IG: https://www.instagram.com/riggaman_

Every Man, Woman & Child

Every Man, Woman & Child - Rigga

SINA CHORUS 
Performed by: Rigga 
Written by: Charles Righa 
Live Violins by: Aaron Colverson 
Produced, Programmed and Arranged by: David “Blackman” Muthami (Blackman Entertainment) 
Album: Urban Prayers 
© 2012

SINA CHORUS SYNOPSIS

“What will I eat!? What will I wear? Where will I live? And how will I get there!?” 
Just like the lyricist, these legitimate fears are felt by many of us on a daily basis. Rigga doesn’t hide the fact that he doesn’t know what the future holds. But instead, he overtly directs his questions to the One who is responsible for holding his future.

Rigga uses Verses 1 and 2 to paint the picture of the prevailing circumstances. The grass often does look greener on the other side of the fence, which causes him to ask God why he’s been forgotten. Like many of us, he has big aspirations and dreams which don’t seem to come to pass. On the contrary, Rigga feels trapped in the mundane; stuck in a rut (“Nikishinda rat-race bado mi ni panya!”) Despite the feelings of helplessness, he’s struggling to believe that the LORD is his best shot.

Interestingly, prayer doesn’t change God… but it does change you! By Verse 3, as Rigga keeps the conversation going, he is reminded of all the times in the past that God has come through for him. He realizes that though he isn’t “living it large,” truthfully, his life isn’t all that bad (there are many who have it much harder!) It’s great to walk with a God who keeps his promises and provides all that you need to get you to your destination. The lyricist is learning to be content:

“…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” 
Proverbs 30:9

Musically, the song exquisitely blends the very Kenyan Four-on-the-Floor beat (characteristic of Genge and Kapuka music) with a nice variety of synthesized and orchestral elements. The violin maestro, Aaron Colverson, lends his great talent to add color to the song. Blackman, the award winning producer, definitely does not disappoint with this one.

(Matthew 6:25-34) “Sina doh… lakini mi si-worry”

SINA CHORUS LYRICS

Intro:

Sina doh, sina ndai, sina chorus 
Sina doh, sina ndai, sina chorus 
Sina doh, sina ndai, sina chorus 
Sina chorus... yeah

Verse 1

Niwie radhi! 
Nina maswali mengi 
Nimekosa mwelekeo, natafuta purpose 
Kupata wera tafash! 
Nasaka works, ndiyo nipate kwangu angalau. 
Cheki marafiki vile wameendelea 
Vipi mienendo yao umependelea 
Ukanisahau, for real! Kuuliza si ujinga 
Sio madharau! 
Pata shahada, lipwa mshahara, mugwanja, isikuwe lengo langu kuu! 
Nakusikiza nisivunjike guu, nimekosa bus fare inabidi kaguu. 
Ni nini nita-do, ni nini nitafanya 
Nikishinda rat-race bado mi ni panya! 
S’taki huzuni na kulia 
Nifunze tafadhali nisifunzwe na dunia.

Chorus

Sina chorus, sina chorus 
Sina chorus lakini mi si-“maindi” 
Sina doh, sina doh, 
Sina doh lakini mi si-worry 
Sina ndai, sina ndai, 
Sina ndai lakini nitawahi 
Nitawahi, nitawahi, nitawahi...yeah

Verse 2

Miaka nenda, miaka rudi 
Njumu zangu zilezile 
Siko down sana, lakini kuna vile 
Nishughulikie! Ni-sort kiasi! 
Angalua ndula mpya, mavasi! 
Ndiyo nikuwe mbele hisivi 
Nipate works poa ndiyo nijenge hii CV 
Nitatia bidii, kwa wenzangu nita-rank 
Lazima niwe na ka-security kwenye bank 
Nijitegemee kidogo, kabla ya kutafuta kidosho. Nioe malkia tupate mtoto 
Tuwe kwa hali njema, sio msoto! 
Bado tatizo, bado niko shidani, 
Kujitoa humu kwa nguvu zangu mimi sidhani nitatoboa 
Itabidi umeniokoa, 
Wanasema kukufuata nimenoa.

Chorus

Nimekufuata miaka kadhaa, na sijapata chapaa (nyingi!) 
Lakini umenisort mahitaji! 
Ma-lap kadhaa, bila ya kulipa (shilingi!) 
Nashindwa pesa zilitoka wapi? 
Bila kusanya, mimi sio crook man! 
Ume-provide so unastahili shukran! 
Nikicheki future, ninababaika. 
Nasahau aje pahali tumetoka, pahali tumefika!? 
Niki-worry «Ni lini nita-marry? 
Ni lini nita-save enough ni-buy gari? » 
Ni lenge cladi za mtush, exhibition! 
Niko-worth more kuliko dush. Mission, 
Ndiyo ‘nafaa kuzingatia 
Siwezi out-shine maua hata Supra nikizing’aria 
Sina million, lakini nimeangukia 
Follow the Leader, 
Mola wewe tangulia!

Chorus x2

(fade to end)

Sina Chorus - Rigga [Urban Prayers]

Tindikali is a song about a couple, wanting to stay together but knowing that ultimately, they are not meant to be. "Tindikali" is the Swahili word meaning bitter, acidic & poisonous. 

Rigga & Chemutai Sage performing Tindikali. © 2019
Music & Lyrics Written by Rigga
Audio Production by Rigga

LYRICS:

Everything moving so fast
Didn't we say we should pace ourselves
Trying to make this thing last
But when we get together
We don't have no breaks
Is this another break, or a break up?
kukosana then we make up
Will we ever wake up from this dream state?
not sure that you and me are meant to be babe

Ladha ya asali
kumbe ni tindikali
ladha ya asali
kumbe ni tindikali
ladha ya asali
kumbe ni tindikali
ni tamu ka asali
lakini pendo letu tindikali

mmmh
What are we doin'
tunafanya nini, tunapelekana wapi?
why do we keep doin'
the same things
twajirudia mara ngapi?
you know I ain't playin'
when I say I wanna leave
when I say I wanna stay
A broken record on replay
We say the same things everyday
We were never good for each other no
both know that we should let each other go
but it's like we're glued to each other though
can't keep this vicious cycle no,
we need change
For sure that you and me aren't meant to be babe

Ladha ya asali
kumbe ni tindikali
Ladha ya asali
Kumbe ni tindikali
Ladha ya asali
Kumbe ni tindikali
Ni tamu ka asali
Lakini pendo letu tindikali

What are we doin'
What are we, what are we doin'
(Kumbe ni tindikali)
Why do we keep doin'
What are we, what are we doin'
(oooooooh)
You know I ain't playin'
What are we, what are we doin'
(What are we doiiiiiin')
(What are we, what are we, what are we what are we, what are we doin')

Fade out...

Tindikali

Tindikali - Rigga X Chemutai Sage

If you make a living as a creative, you’ve probably received unsolicited advice on how best you should “make it” in your career. The different voices advising you can sometimes gets overwhelming when you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. So I took all that pent up emotion and (some of) those words of advice and created a song. I hope you like it.

FYI: I’m still working hard in my career to “make it” (bado nataka kupenya).

Kupenya © 2019 
Written & performed by Rigga 
Audio Production by Rigga 

Follow Rigga: 
FB: https://www.facebook.com/itsrigga
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/riggaman
IG: https://www.instagram.com/riggaman_

Kupenya

Kupenya - Rigga

Rigga (real name Charles Righa) is a Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Spoken Word Poet (Recording/Performing Artiste) from Nairobi, Kenya (East Africa). His musical content and world view is heavily influenced by his Christian faith as he seeks to create content that edifies the youth of the African continent.

Rigga's maiden project was the highly acclaimed debut album titled "The Awakening" released in December 2007. This album was produced by David "Blackman" Muthami while under the Kijiji Records stable and had notable hits such as the single "Ibada Yangu" and "The Tongue."

After a brief hiatus, Rigga made his comeback to the music scene as an Artiste / Ast. Creative Director on the "Freedom Mixtape" (alongside Jaaz Odongo in 2012). In December 2012, Rigga released his sophomore album project dubbed "Urban Prayers". This album project features the production talents of Jaaz "That Guy" Odongo, David "Blackman" Muthami & Patrick "Saint P" Mbaru. The singles from Urban Prayers include "Sina Chorus" & "Ring Finger". Rigga's sound has grown and evolved over the years to be more eclectic and versatile.

Rigga has received numerous nominations from a host of award schemes over the years including the 2013 Annual Groove Awards, where he was nominated for Album of the Year & Hip Hop Song of the Year (for "Urban Prayers" & "Sina Chorus" respectively.)

Associated acts include: Kanjii Mbugua, Neema Ntalel, Astar, Atemi Oyungu, Bupe, Noel Nderitu, Lisa Oduor-Noah, Dan "Chizi" Aceda, Kato Change and a host of others.

riggaman

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