Kenyan ‘Michael Jackson’ who put nation on global map

By PHILIP MWAKIO

Wednesday, March 5th 2014

The story of Kelly Brown had a tragic ending: In 1989, his maimed body was discovered at his Stuttgart home in Germany

 Credited with putting Kenya’s name on the global scene with his artistic talent, he is absolutely a legend. He was likened to American music genius and idol Michael Jackson.

Kelly Brown whose real name was Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali Bux, was a household name in the local entertainment industry in the early 70s and 80s.

His music prowess run far and wide, culminating in his sudden rise to stardom. After an initial jig in local tourist hotels around Mombasa, Kelly Brown’s popularity grew in leaps and bounds and soon, tourists on holiday at the Kenyan Coast formed his growing army of fans.

The Mombasa-born musician later moved to Nairobi as he sought to endear himself to the international arena and set up camp at Club Bonanza Night Club (now Florida Club).

With a firm fan base in Nairobi, moving up the supremacy ladder for this son of Mombasa was an easy ride.

Known for his trade mark Afro hairstyle, Kelly travelled to Germany using savings from his performances with the intention of sharpening his skills and gaining international exposure. Soon, he settled in one of Europe’s elite entertainment cities - Stuttgart, Germany.

It was while in Germany that he adopted the stage name Kelly Brown. This was a tribute to his idol James Brown.

His love for Kenya, his motherland made him return home several times for charity concerts where he performed for free. Kelly Brown developed an interest in music at the age of 18 according to his younger, surviving sister, Amina who lives in Ganjoni, Mombasa Island.

“A lady by the name Chiquita Cara owned a performing club in Ganjoni and first took in my brother as a dancer,” she said.

Kelly Brown would later be introduced to nightlife entertainment in Mombasa and spent several days in Nairobi before flying out to London.

It is here that he got into proper music career and mastered several dancing styles that would later propel him to being a top chartbuster.

After sometime in London, Kelly Brown found solace in Germany where he was to spend most of his life performing until he died mysteriously in 1989. He played different styles such as funk, soul, country, and jazz with a touch of African beats. In 1973, he returned to Kenya and released the singles “Something is Wrong” (originally by Sam & Dave) and a cover of “Funky Stuff” (Kool & The Gang).

Back home with his fame having grown immensely, Kenyans were yearning for his original compositions.

Music pirates had hit the trail and were out presenting dubious and fake presentations purported to be his very own.

But Kelly Brown was quick to react.

He adapted and published patriotic songs such as “Asante ya Punda” and “Kenya Nchi Yetu” which got considerable airplay on local radio and around East Africa. He followed with another song titled “Higher”, which became a hit internationally.

Performing to larger and well paying crowds in Europe meant better earnings unlike in Kenya. Kelly Brown’s other popular hits include “Sexy Lady”, and “Only You Can”. Unfortunately, his death was a mystery.

He operated between Stuttgart and Nairobi, and each time he returned to his home, he devoted himself to his countrymen, who were not so fortunate and less well-off and gave charity performances.

He went missing for about six weeks and his body was found dismembered in his Stuttgart apartment on the February 3, 1989.

The death was never resolved, but was suspected to be a revenge murder.

“Up to date, we do not know how our brother died. After an autopsy, German police issued a report linking his death to sudden heart failure,” Amina said.

The Kenya Government facilitated the airlifting of his remains for burial in Mombasa.