Kenya gospel singer Rufftone real/full name is Roy Smith Mwita, he has generated one of the
biggest sensations since his switch to the Kenyan gospel music scene.He was Nominated for Kora Awards Male Artist of the Year 2003, Gospel artist of
the Year 2003 and America Gospel Music Awards-International Artist of
the Year 2004.
Rufftone released Mwikulu meaning “Heaven” in his native
luhya. It proceeded to rule the airwaves in Nairobi and topped the
daily chart show of a top secular station Kiss 100 on the top 7 at 7.
An
instant hit, Mwikulu describes the noble desire of many to go to heaven
once they leave this life yet they totally disregard the requirements
stated in the bible to attain our heritage as God’s sons. The musician
uses Luhya as a way of appreciating his roots. Born in Nairobi ‘s
Eastlands, he went to school in Western Province. Through his music he
wants to dispel the notion that Nairobians are out of touch with their
roots. Staying true to his roots Rufftone recorded Tsinyanga Tsiwere
another worship song in Luhya: a highly successful crowd rocking song.
Commanding
a fantastic stage presence Rufftone performs his songs with gusto and
more often than not leaves his audience on their feet craving for more.
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Rufftone
seriously got into music in 1999 and recorded the song It’s up to you
which received good airplay from the radio stations. Soon after he went
back to the studio and did real men. In 2000 he joined up with Ogopa Djs
to record Meeh a popular hit in the secular music industry, which
established him in the East African region.
All the while he was
still a secular musician. his life and career changed in 2001, the year
he deceided to give his life to Christ. From then on, his star really
begun to shine.
Many artistes switch from secular to gospel only
to wither, then stage a comeback to the secular scene; fortunately
Rufftone has been a fresh exception.
His interest in music
started developing while in Form Two at Kakamega High School. By this
time Rufftone had already dreamt of performing for large audiences. At
this point he began toying around with new ideas, experimenting with
fusions of Afro music with ragga. Inspired by the likes of the USA-based
Hardstone Ngunjiri and the now defunct groups, Five Alive and
Sweden-based Swahili Nation, he got courage to break into new and
untested frontiers in Kenyan music. His bargain paid off handsomely,
leading him to become arguably the finest and most consistent gospel
artists Kenya has to offer.
Since then he has written hit after
hit, all of which have received significant airplay and fantastic
reviews across East Africa, with East Africans in the diaspora
increasingly thirsting for more of his releases. He has released such as
“By far”, Usichoke featuring , Tunajipa featuring SK Blue, featured in
the Votaries hit Man of God-MOG and Yes indeed featuring Bamboo.
In
addition to his mic skills, Rufftone is also a graphic designer of some
repute, he loves drawing. He had earlier joined the Buruburu Institute
of Fine Arts (BIFA) in Nairobi pursuing a Diploma in Graphic Design.
However he didn’t finish because of his burning desire to actualise his
dream to be a musician. He entered a Marshalls sponsored talent search
dubbed Car of the Future, finishing in second place and in the process
pocketing a Ksh 15,000 cash prize.
He has had the opportunity to
curtain-raise for a number of international acts, including ragga
sensation Chevelle Franklin at the 2005 Xtreme weekend, as well as
Makoma, a Holland-based Congolese gospel group.
He has also
performed at the “Celebrate Life” concert at Uhuru Park in 2002,
Nairobi, which featured top American group Kool and the Gang. He’s had
extensive tours to the UK, and both Atlanta and Orlando in the U.S.
On
the international scene, he respects Jamaicans Shabba Ranks, Yellowman
and Papa San and Gabonese musician Olivier Ngoma. He says they typify
the genre of music he wishes to pursue.
In addition, Roughtone is
an avid reader of the scriptures and able minister of God’s word
through not only music, but speech as well. He also owns a recording
studio Bull swinger Entertainment and a clothing line Ruff-wear
international.
Facebook: Rufftone
