Kitime: music icon seeking comic relief

John Kitime, is a household name in Tanzania’s music industry who has also featured at one stage as a judge in the early editions of Bongo Star Search, a local television talent search show.

Uncle Kitime as he is popularly referred to is a lead guitarist who has featured in bands such as Vijana Jazz Band and other bands which rocked the country in the 70s to the late 90s. 

He has also written many songs that became popular such as Nyongisye, a song which was done in Hehe.

At the moment, Kitime features with Kilimanjaro Band aka Wana Njenje, where he plays the strings and also serves as one of the vocalists in the band. But his duties have not stopped him from venturing into the world of rib cracking where he now hosts a blog called Cheka na Kitime, where he posts different jokes.

The number of hits on this new blog now stands at 544,782 which testify to the popularity of the blog.

Edward Qorro caught up with the multi-talented artiste as he opened up on his new endeavours.

 Are you seriously into comedy?

I’m just enjoying myself, we do not have a blog for jokes and I have decided to capitalise on this opportunity, it is my hope people will enjoy it a great deal.

What plans do you have with this blog?

I have teamed up with some guys in town, we have a company called Blue Brain Company Ltd. In December this year we intend to have a stand-up comedy show that will target the high end market, a replica of the Churchill Live Show in Kenya though the content will slightly vary.

We have artistes who are into stand-up comedy like Evans Bukuku, what do you make of their performances?

I think we have a problem with our audiences and their biggest problem is that they just don’t appreciate us, in the same way they appreciate clowns cum comedians in the streets.

Secondly, making people laugh is not an easy job, it is an art, you just don’t wake up and crack out jokes that will make people laugh, you might become a laughing stock. Most of the comedians in town do not have a comical background that is why they have failed to live up to the billing.

 Does this mean you are about to quit music?

I’m now surviving in town because of music. I became known because of music, I will not in any way quit music.

That is why you see me performing with Kilimanjaro Band and I also visit fellow musicians to see how they perform. Sometimes they call me on stage to sing along, just like the other day you saw me as a back vocal for Hamza Kalala during Lady Jay Dee’s 13th anniversary.

Is anyone in your family following in your footsteps?

 I have two children; one is pursuing a degree in law and the other one is still in secondary school. Of the two, nobody seems to be destined to become a musician, though the older one is a music fan and on several occasions she asks me about musical concepts and other related issues.