Mazishi Ya Njege by Scar Mkadinali, his second collaboration with R Bandit after their hit Yap Yap, is Scar’s fifth music video this year. The song pays tribute to Gen Z protestors killed during and after the June 24th demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024, and the June 25th, 2025 anniversary protests. The two use the song’s title as powerful imagery, symbolically ‘burying’ police oppression in Kenya. This conscious hip-hop approach is familiar territory for Scar, as seen with Wakadinali’s Kuna Siku Youths Wataungana ft. Sir Bwoy. While the title may sound aggressive, the message is ultimately hopeful, utilizing juxtaposition to highlight the contrast.
Mazishi Ya Njege’s Message
The instrumental pairs gentle piano chords with a mellow drill rhythm. Repitition of the title, Mazishi Ya Njege, is used to make the message stick. Scar enters the first verse expressing his opinions on the police, “Sipendangi ma 5-O, tunawaonyeshanga madharau.” He continues to vent his frustrations with law enforcement’s stereotypes, “Wameshatuprofile sisi, ‘ehh njo wale mapiniji’ / Ata kam ukae na sisi njo ujue sisi ni wasanii.” I’ve never heard a verse from this man that didn’t have a funny line. He jokes, “Ni 1st time yangu, sjawahi kuwa kwa hii dunia, mi ni mtalii.” It’s my 1st time on this earth, I’m a tourist.
He switches gears back to the matter at hand while switching his flow effortlessly, “Nangojwa na mother, watoi na maboys mtaani, huko mi ni mfadhil / So nakuwarn, afande ka warm, ni ignore nikichoma kindom / Sjawahi kuwa mlevi, uko kume chrome, mbogi sipendi, nadai kuwa alone.” In Kenya, possessing marijuana, even for personal use, carries a minimum 10-year sentence. Scar highlights his need for freedom despite using it, stressing that his family relies on him. A clever double entendre follows, where the wordplay hinges on “chrome” evoking both intoxication and danger.
For the next double entendre, one really has to pay attention. He says, “Kuna watu wanafaa kusaka Jah, kama akina Johnson.” He uses allusion to boldly call out Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, using his name as wordplay to mean there are some people who need to find God, who’s other name in the Rastafarianism culture is ‘Jah.’ This is possibly due to allegations of the political leader hiring goons to cause chaos during the protests.
R Bandit’s verse begins with a pun combined with a double entendre, “Hapa kwa streets, unafaa kutumia common sense / But I think si common, na sense hivyo.” He hilariously call’s his ‘Team Captain’ “Morgan,” hinting at the alcoholic drink, basically meaning numbing the pain with his “Team Captain,” alcohol, while playing this “game.””Hii game rada rada? Tunacheza kama walevi ama ju Morgan ndio Captain?” He mocks Manchester United’s form aswell, “Nimefanya sh*t fulani clean, sikubet Man U clean sheet, ni funny please.”
He’s thankful for how far he has come, since he met his lady, “A while, a while ago life yangu imekuwa sawa / Ni recently nmemeet na my honey, sahizi niko sawa,” showing his vulnerability. “Boss, ndio natoss, ikienda ni tails, nachange / B*tch, me ndio boss, ukienda chain, nakuchange.” In the line that follows, he asserts his authority, being able to control the outcomes in his life, much like how the coin tosser can toss again, if he wanted heads instead of tails. He also amusingly compares a woman cheating, to a cigarrete or blunt being passed around during chainsmoking, saying he will dump her immediately.
Conclusion
The project was a success, an introspective song in these difficult times in our country. It hints at the fact that, one day, we shall rise above the oppression and our country will have more freedom and rights for it’s citizens. If it will take an uprising, Scar has already called it, “Siku za mwisho sisi wote tutakuwa na thwao.” The music video was crisp with fresh wadrobe choices for both artists. Audio production was on point with both artists sounding great over the unique beat. The chorus could’ve been better but nonetheless, the song was enjoyable. A solid 7/10 rating for me. Read another article here.
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