5th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) : Meet Our Esteemed Juror From Western AFRICA - WILLIAM ‘TABU’ OSUSA & JOETT

WILLIAM ‘TABU’ OSUSA

William Osusa, better known in the music circle as Tabu Osusa is a key part of the Eastern African Music Industry. The Kenyan native is the founding Executive Director of Ketebul Music, a musical outfit that has been actively involved in shaping the careers and running some of the top recording and performing bands and artistes in the country.

He has also been the Project Coordinator for the Singing Wells Project, a partnership project between Ketebul Music and Abubilla Music from London, UK, from which he produced and released three documentaries titled; “Retracing The Benga Rhythm”, “Retracing Kikuyu Popular Music” “ Retracing Kenya’s Funky Hits”.
For the past 30 years, Tabu has been actively involved in the music industry as a promoter, producer, composer and band manager. Having to oversee some recording and performing bands/artistes in the country, including the much acclaimed Orchestra Virunga, The Nairobi City Ensemble, Iddi Achieng,’ Makadem, Suzanna Owiyo, Olith Ratego, Ogoya Nengo, Gargar and Winyo to mention but a few.

He has contributed immensely to the promotion of Kenyan artiste and music from the Easter region, while acting as lead consultant on a radio music project which focused on tracing the history of East African music from the 1960s to the present, and also co-chairs the steering committee of the ‘Spotlight on Kenyan Music’ in partnership with director of Alliance Française in Nairobi.

Tabu regularly collaborates with the Goethe Institute in Nairobi as a music consultant and is currently working on a concert series known as “Muziki wa Kenya” with a view to promoting emerging Kenyan artists.

With a dedication to seeing African music on a high pedestal in the global scene, Tabu’s passion comes to bear on the AFRIMA Jury where his practical knowledge in the music of Eastern region will be applied effectively.

JOETT

 
Regarded as one of the most acclaimed vocal coach in his native country, Tanzania, Joett is also a songwriter whose song writing skills earned him registered membership of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Joett’s international music exposure entailed working with musical establishments like Universal, Sony BMG, Capitol, Columbia and Jive Records. All of these attained skills he brought to bear while coaching some of the best voices in Tanzania including Vanessa Mdee and Ben Pol.

Besides contributing to the development of African music talents, another achievement in Joett’s professional career involves licensing his songs to record labels in Europe and North America for use by other artists; as well as licensing his tracks for inclusion in dance compilation albums around the world.

Some of his accolade also springs from vocal coaching and mentoring of protégé; Mayunga Nalimi, who went on to win the Pan African Airtel Trace Music Star 2015 competition for Tanzania, beating contestants from 12 other African countries in a televised Kenya grand finale that was filled with drama and intrigue, and where mega star Akon was among the judges.

The acclaimed songwriter and hit singer from the 90’s and early 2000 brings his pool of experience to the 5th AFRIMA as Juror representing Eastern Africa.