19 years ago, Kenya lost a national treasure, a progressive musician, Issah Mmari alias E-sir.
The young talented star aged 21 died in a tragic road accident along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway on his way back to Nairobi from a concert on the 16th of March 2003.
On the 19th anniversary of his death, one of his closest friends and fellow musician David Mathenge alias Nameless took to social media to celebrate the fallen star saying he still loves and misses him.
He posted, “19 years since you left us, 16 March 2003…love and Miss you bro!! ♥️♥️♥️
You still inspiring the new generation with your awesomeness! Fam ,what’s your favourite Esir Jam…mine was MossMoss , Leo ni leo and ofcourse Boomba…Find all Esir songs on all streaming platforms!!”
In January 2022, Nameless alongside E-Sir’s brother Habib, Ochungulo Family’s Nelly The Goon, Dmore and new kid on the block Trio Mio paid tribute to E-Sir in a hit track titled ‘Bandana Ya E-Sir’. Speaking to The Sauce at the time of the release, the song was their collective effort to carry on E-Sir’s legacy and introduce him to the new generation.
The song is only a tip of the iceberg when it comes to celebrating the artist who left us too soon. According to Nameless for E-Sir’s 40th birthday this year, E-Sir’s family is planning on releasing and selling E-Sir merchandise. They are also want commemorate him in his old neighborhood of South C.
“We want people to back o his old catalogue, we want kids to be curious who was E-Sir…We want to create Bandana merchandise, we want people to buy, we are trying to find ways that the brand can earn from the goodwill. We are trying to do different things to remember him, we want a place to named after him, a place to celebrate people who inspire us and the people we have lost along the way…even South C will be represented,” said Nameless in a phone interview.
E-Sir will be turning 40 on May 20th 2022. Prior to his untimely had made a name for himself in the Kenyan music scene with hits like Boomba Train, Moss Moss, Kamata, Hamnitishi, Leo ni Leo and more. He was famous for his deft lyrical ability and command of the Swahili language