Yunasi band members, from left Symon Maranga, Toby Imani and Ngalah Oreyo.
Radio Jambo presenter Bramwell Mwololo had the pleasure of hosting music band Yunasi during his Mazungumzo Wazi Wazi show on Monday.
The interview not only gave Radio Jambo listeners the chance to interact with the band famous for hits such as Ji Opogore and Usilewe but also saw them become the first to listen to the band's latest song, Nimekupata.
After their interview with Bramwell, the band still had time to spare for another interview with radiojambo.co.ke and the following is what they had to say about their music career, time away from the limelight, music piracy and future projects.
VIDEO: Yunasi's latest song, Nimekupata.
RADIO JAMBO: Where did you guys disappear to and what were you up to while you were away from the limelight?
YUNASI: Honestly we do not buy that we have been away from the limelight as we believe that we have been much around. We have done a couple of songs over the years like Sesube (collabo with Rabbit) and Don't Go. Also we have been having gigs locally and outside the country.
VIDEO: Sesube, Yunasi ft Rabbit
VIDEO: Don't Go by Yunasi
RJ: If that is the case, then we are definitely guilty of not having kept up with you. Anyway moving on, how did Yunasi start and how many members did you have at the beginning?
YUNASI: The band was started about 15 years ago at the Redeemed Gospel Church in Huruma where we used to sing in the choir. Through singing in church the idea to create a band was born. We wanted to have a name that would give a sense of unity and togetherness and that is how we settled on Yunasi. Yunasi is a portmanteau of an English word (you) and two Swahili words (na sisi) hence Yunasi (you-na-sisi). Therefore Yunasi means "you and us".
We were seven when we started but along the way we split. One of those who left the band currently lives the Spain while we have lost touch with other band members. Currently we are four but the other band member did not accompany us today.
VIDEO: Ji Opogore.
RJ: Many people remember Yunasi for the hit Ji Opogore, would it be right to say that song is your biggest success?
YUNASI: Ji Opogore was definitely big but there other songs which we did that performed equally well such as Usielewe (Ndi Ndi Ndi) which won us the .
... But it was the next act, East African band Yunasi, who really got the judges' attention.Their fast-paced song Ndi Ndi Ndi, about the dangers of drinking, was based around thrilling percussion, powerful vocals and some astonishing dance moves.
They featured several unusual instruments, including bongos, an accordion, and a calabash - a percussion instrument that looks like a spacehopper cut in half and then strapped to a piano stool.
Not only was the song great - they have already won an award for their songwriting - but they really performed, and finished to prolonged applause.
Famed producer Nile Rodgers spoke for all the judges when he said "we were over here dancing and singing, even if we didn't know what we were singing about"...
BBC explaining how Yunasi's song Usilewe (Ndi Ndi Ndi) saw them win the BBC Next Thing Award in 2007.
VIDEO: Yunasi performing their winning act at the BBC Next Big Thing in 2007.
RJ: Nimekupata, which played on Radio Jambo for the first time on today (20/05/2015), is your most recent song which follows up on Don't Go and Sesube. Which other songs do you plan to release soon?
YUNASI: We have many songs coming up and also plan to launch an album soon. Nimekupata is one of the songs that will be in the album. Until the album though, we plan to release a couple singles.
RJ: Other than Rabbit, is another musician you have done a collabo with?
YUNASI: Yes. We have done a song with Wyre known as Feel it and also there is a song we have done with Frasha that has not yet been released. We have even worked with Mejja.
VIDEO: Feel It, Yunasi ft Wyre
RJ: What is your opinion of the current music scene in Kenya compared to the time you started?
YUNASI: In our opinion, the industry has grown and musicians are able to make a living from it (music). Nowadays there are many shows, festivals and the influx of radio stations has been key to the growth and transformation of the Kenyan music industry. Nowadays it is so easy for musicians to promote themselves and their unlike before. For example, while we were starting, we only used to play at Alliance Francaise and radio stations were very few. Also the internet has made musicians to reach more people with their music. Talk of and other digital platforms that we have now.
RJ: Despite the growth, are there still any challenges?
YUNASI: Of course there are always challenges the biggest being that Kenyan music has no identity. We are so diverse and up to date there is no signature for Kenyan music. For instance, it is easy to identify Tanzanian, South African and Nigerian music because they have developed an identity for their music.
RJ: What of piracy? Is it still a challenge?
YUNASI: Of course it is but there is nothing we can do about it. The best we can hope is to have the government formulate laws that protect our music from being pirated like is the case in Tanzania.
RJ: Do you have plans of collaborating with foreign artists. It seems to be a trend with Kenyan musicians at the moment?
YUNASI: May be very much later. Our current goal right now is to have a strong presence in the Kenyan market and we plan on doing that by working with fellow Kenyan musicians. Furthermore, we have worked with internationals artists before and we have done songs with Belgians, French musicians, South Africans and even musicians from Thailand. Going international is good but it is better have a strong foundation at home.
RJ: Muthoni Waweru just stepped in to greet you guys and it looks like you go way back with her. How comes the band has no female member and do you plan having one?
YUNASI: Muthoni used to be a musician just like us before she joined Radio Africa Group. She used to sing with Toby (Imani) who was her guitarist. Anyway moving on to your question, as a group, and it is not that we are discriminating, we feel that we already have the required voices to produce music that we want. We do not discriminate against and we love and value our female fans.
RJ: Just to wind up, is there anything that people do not know about Yunasi?
YUNASI: (Laughter). For that we urge people to follow us on social media and they can interact with on those platforms to know all they want to know about us. They can follow us on Twitter and on Facebook at .
RJ: We believe they will do just that. Thank you for your time Yunasi and all the best with your upcoming projects.
YUNASI: Thank you too.