KENYAN MUSIC GROUP MATATA RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM SUPER MARIO

Fast-rising Kenyan music group Matata, has released their anticipated debut album Super Mario following their successful run with hit singles and videos.

They have curated a hero-anchored body of work that echoes their Kenyan heritage, ingenuity and zeal while highlighting their victories and struggles in the pursuit of their dreams.

The 15-track album portrays Matata’s unique and distinct sound that mixes English and Swahili with melodies and rhythms from different tribes of Kenya. Matata’s new album features collaborations from Afro-pop stars: Sauti Sol, Okello Max, Hip-Hop music group Wakadinali, R&B artist Phy, Reggae artist Liam Bailey from UK andGhanaian/Norwegian artist, Akuvi.

The album intro also stands out as a special collaboration with their mothers. Matata says, “This is a dream come true; we never imagined one day featuring our mothers in one of our songs. On the track they take a trip down memory lane on each of our own journeys traversing from childhood to adulthood. Our mothers have truly been the rock of our lives. We would not be living our dreams if it weren’t for their visions.

When naysayers told us that making a living off as an artist was an unrealistic dream, our mothers saw the vision. Unbowed by physical boundaries, diverse in musicality and unified in art, we are doing what we love because of their reassurance.”

Super Morio is a Kenyan slang for ‘ghetto superhero’. The word “morio” translates to an ordinary youth from the hardship areas (ghetto). In this case, ‘super morio’ is in reference to the hero from the ghetto adversity who is everyday striving to better and bring change to their community.  Matata members grew up in different parts of Kenya. 

Despite early childhood traumas, life challenges, negative societal pressures, and hardships, they worked hard to make sense of their lives and become upright members of society while pursuing their dreams of becoming artists. They have since made music that has positively impacted their communities and has influenced their societies in general. They are now the ‘Super Morios’ of their communities and are marking a major career milestone with the release of this incredible project.