- William Nasoro, popular as Escobar Babake is a veteran musician and performer who enjoys influence in Kenya’s coastal region.
- Escobar is one of the key artists who dominated the coastal music scene from 2007 to 2011, only to vanish from the spotlight without explanation.
- Alongside heavy hitters like Susumila (Yusuf Kombo), Jacugaz boy band, and rapper Cannibal, the coast talents won the admiration of many music fans.
- Most of these artists believe that changes in music production and marketing torpedoed their progress and career trajectories.
Escobar Babake Bids to Reclaim Former Glory
In the 2000s, Kenya’s music scene was analog and tightly controlled by gatekeepers who decided which songs and artists made it to the public. While music Compact Discs (CDs) littered the streets, artists thronged radio stations to get airplay.
This was before the explosion of social media, content sharing, and streaming platforms in Kenya. Babake was then an industrious artist aiming to top the music charts in the region.
Working with talented peers like the equally gifted Yusuf Kombo popular as Susumila among others, Escobar released a string of music hits that endeared him with the coastal fanbase.
Among his first major collaborations was Njoo Kwangu with Susumila, which became an instant success.
The Bonge la Party hitmaker followed up with glorious authentic singles like Kaka Saidi and Kaa Chonjo that further stamped his authority as a Swahili lyricist.
‘Esco’ shrewdly carved out his space in Kenyan music through his partnership with the resident producer at Frere Town Records, Jimmy Ngala.
Other producers responsible for his success include the veteran J-Crack and Lai who also doubled up as a singer.
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Alongside other prominent coastal artists, Escobar faded from the scene during a lengthy hiatus that took him out of entertainment tabloids and off the airwaves.
Hanging over his decline were rumors of a beef with his comrade and close associate Susumila.
While Escobar struggled to make a comeback, Susumila sat pretty at the helm of Mombasa’s showbiz, thanks to his close working relationship with Governor Ali Hassan Joho.
The former Mombasa governor and current Cabinet Secretary for mining is a confessed music enthusiast who has cultivated ties with both local and international artists.
Governor Joho has Tanzanian crooner Ali Saleh Kiba (Ali Kiba) and Bongo flavor luminary Omary Faraji Nyembo alias Ommy Dimpoz in his fold.
Susumila has already released exclusive music collaborations with top Tanzanian artists such as Wasafi’s Lava Lava and Mboso Khan.
In several media interviews, Susumila credited Hon. Joho for pulling strings to make the collaborations happen. Hot on the heels of his success came the 001 Music Record Label that he helped set up.
The Mombasa-based record label signed several artists from the coast, with Escobar’s name conspicuously missing.
Word on the street had it that Susumila sidelined his former associate from the label and goodies because they were not on good terms.
Escobar who was then busy building his Luganje Music Empire brand rubbished the claims insisting he and Susumila were on good terms but pursuing solo careers.
Susumila also showed that the two were on the same page, even suggesting that he hadn’t completely ruled out the possibility of them collaborating again in the future.
Escobar Babake and Susumila Close Ranks, Team Up for Mailova
True to his words, Susumila released the much-anticipated collabo with Escobar shortly after. Titled Mailova, the Swahili song was produced by the famous producer J-Crack.
Following the symbolic ‘beef-quashing’ hit, the rejuvenated Escobar has been on the ascendancy releasing more polished captivating jams.
Now pursuing the popular Amapiano and Ziki La Nazi music subgenres, Babake has skillfully fused the styles for his comeback songs Deile and Pesa na Pombe.
Escobar is currently riding the airwaves with an enticing new single Naitaka produced at MozTach Records.
Babake recognized that his newly established connections with the Kilifi County Government offered the essential logistical support needed for the next phase of his burgeoning music career.
Babake recently linked up with county official Fikirini Jacobs who is a big fan of his craft.
The county government is understandably working on an elaborate program to support local talents in the county. Other Kilifi musical acts that have gained significant airtime include lyrical trapper Tricks and vernacular rapper Regan Dandy.
