Fundi Konde

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Fundi Konde was a Kenyan musician who lived from August 24, 1924 to June 29, 2000. He was one of the first popular performers from that country, and was said to be the first electric guitarist from East Africa. His music utilized Swahili lyrics accompanied by a mixture of regional rhythms and imported rumba. His professional career began during World War 2, when he performed for East African troops in South Asia. Returning home to Kenya, he made some of the earliest recordings from the region, including the hits "Mama Sowera", "Majengo Siendi Tena", "Kipenzi Waniua Ua" and "Jambo Sigara". He continued to perform and record until 1963, when he retired until the early 1980s, when he began singing, composing and producing again.