Princess Jully: Celebrating the Life, Legacy, and Impact of Kenya’s Benga Music Icon

: Princess Jully, Kenya’s iconic Benga musician, passed away at 51, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, cultural preservation, and social impact. Rising to fame in the 1990s with her hit “Dunia Mbaya,” she became a voice for HIV/AIDS awareness and women’s empowerment. Despite facing challenges like her husband’s death and the impact of music piracy, Princess Jully made a powerful comeback in 2020. Her contributions to traditional Luo music, leadership in a male-dominated industry, and advocacy against societal stigmas solidified her status as a cultural icon.

By Charles Wachira

Kenya has lost one of its most iconic and beloved musicians, Princess Jully, who passed away on October 12, 2024, after a short illness at the age of 51. Her departure leaves a void not just in the Benga music scene but also in the hearts of many who admired her resilience, talent, and contributions to Kenyan culture. As we say goodbye to this phenomenal artist, we celebrate a life that was as dynamic as the rhythms she gifted the world.

Born Lilian Auma Aoko in Makalda, South Nyanza, Princess Jully grew up in a humble setting, the youngest of nine siblings. Her father passed away when she was just a week old, leaving her mother, a small-scale farmer, to raise the family in hardship. Despite the challenges, music would become her salvation. Her journey to stardom began when she joined her late husband, Prince Jully’s band, “Jolly Boys Band,” as a backup singer. It didn’t take long for her talent to shine through, quickly surpassing the popularity of her husband. It was this moment that marked her as one of Kenya’s most revered Benga artists.

Princess Jully’s breakthrough came with her iconic hit, Dunia Mbaya—a somber reflection on the perils of life and the fragility of friendships, inspired by the loss of close friends to a self-destructive lifestyle. This song catapulted her to national fame in the 1990s, resonating deeply with the Kenyan audience. Her voice, both powerful and haunting, carried a raw emotional weight that few could match, earning her the affectionate title of “Alili Nyagina” among her fans.

But her rise to the top was not without hardship. After the tragic death of her husband in 1997, Princess Jully found herself at a crossroads. Facing widowhood and a band that looked to her for leadership, she could have easily given up. Instead, she chose to fight. With grit and determination, she took over the band, propelling it to new heights while preserving her husband’s legacy.

Her music career, however, was not spared by the destructive force of piracy. The illegal sale of her albums forced her out of Nairobi’s thriving music scene, pushing her into a life far removed from her former glories. Princess Jully retreated to her rural home in Nyatike, Migori County, where she turned to gold mining, tobacco, and cattle farming to make ends meet. The world she had once dominated had seemingly forgotten her. “Most people get shocked when they find me in the mines,” she once said in a reflective interview, adding that it was piracy that had driven her out of business.

Even in adversity, Princess Jully refused to be silenced. In 2020, she made a remarkable comeback, determined to reclaim her place in the music world. Despite the years and challenges, her voice had lost none of its potency. It remained as strong and stirring as it had been during her early days with the Jolly Boys Band. She also took the opportunity to advocate for causes close to her heart, including HIV/AIDS awareness, drawing from her own experience as someone living with the condition.

Her return to the stage was not just about music—it was about healing and resilience. She became a beacon of hope for many living with HIV, urging them to seek treatment and not give up on life. “Stick to your medication, and you can live long and healthy,” she said in one of her last public messages.

Princess Jully’s contributions to Kenyan music, especially Luo traditional Benga, are undeniable. Alongside legends like Suzanna Owiyo, Achieng Abura, and Mercy Myra in the Divas of the Nile group, she helped redefine what it meant to be a female artist in Kenya. Her dream to reinvigorate Luo traditional music with native instruments showcased her deep commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

In the quiet village of Bondo Nyironge, where she spent her final years, Princess Jully’s legacy continues to live on. She may have swapped the glitz of Nairobi for the rural simplicity of Migori, but her heart remained full of music. Her son, Bradley Ogudah, confirmed her passing after a two-month battle with illness at the Migori County Referral Hospital. A brief glimmer of hope had emerged in August when she showed signs of recovery, but it was not to be.

As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate a woman who refused to be broken by life’s tribulations. Princess Jully’s voice, once the pulse of the Kenyan airwaves, will forever echo in our hearts. From Malo Malo to Akuru, her songs will remain timeless, just like the Queen herself. Her life was one of triumph over tragedy, of perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds—a true testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.

Princess Jully’s legacy is a multifaceted one, marked by her contributions to Benga music, her resilience in the face of hardship, and her role as a cultural icon who redefined the role of women in Kenya’s music industry. Here are the key elements of her enduring legacy:

1. A Pioneer of Luo Benga Music

Princess Jully was one of the defining voices of Benga, a genre that originated in Kenya’s Luo community and became popular nationwide. Her music not only entertained but also conveyed powerful messages about life, love, and social issues. Songs like Dunia Mbaya, Malo Malo, and Akuru remain staples in the Kenyan music scene. She modernized traditional Luo music by blending contemporary and indigenous sounds, giving her a unique style that appealed to a wide audience.

She carried forward the musical legacy of her late husband, Prince Jully, leading the Jolly Boys Band after his death and solidifying her position as one of Kenya’s top Benga musicians. Her influence helped pave the way for younger generations of Benga artists, and she worked tirelessly to preserve and promote traditional Luo music through her performances and albums.

2. A Voice for Social Change

Princess Jully was not only a musician but also an advocate for social causes, using her platform to address issues such as HIV/AIDS, poverty, and women’s empowerment. As someone who lived with HIV herself, she broke societal taboos and stigma surrounding the illness by openly speaking about her condition and urging others to seek treatment. Her advocacy helped humanize the struggles of people living with HIV and encouraged them to embrace life with hope and dignity. Her fight against HIV/AIDS was personal but also a reflection of her deep empathy and desire to help others.

Additionally, through her music, she addressed themes of moral decay, betrayal, and the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society. In songs like Dunia Mbaya (This Cruel World), she explored the darker side of human relationships, a reflection of her personal experiences and the realities faced by many.

3. Champion of Women in Music

In a male-dominated music industry, Princess Jully emerged as a symbol of female strength and leadership. After her husband’s death in 1997, she took charge of his band and steered it to new heights. This was a bold move, as few women had ventured into leadership roles in Kenya’s traditional music industry at the time. Her success inspired other women musicians to step forward, assert their talents, and seek opportunities in a space that was often reserved for men.

Her influence went beyond music. She was also a businesswoman who attempted to commercialize her own music, opening a distribution shop in Nairobi. Despite the challenges she faced from piracy and the eventual collapse of her business, her efforts set a precedent for self-reliance and entrepreneurship for other female artists.

4. A Resilient Spirit

Princess Jully’s life was one of perseverance in the face of adversity. From the early struggles of poverty in her childhood, to the tragic death of her husband, to the piracy that crippled her music career, she always found a way to rise again. Her return to the music scene in 2020, after years away, was a testament to her undying love for music and her desire to share her gift with the world.

Even when her career took a downturn, she didn’t give up on life. Moving back to the countryside, she engaged in various ventures, including gold mining, cattle rearing, and tobacco farming, to support herself. This resilience, despite the setbacks, is a core part of her legacy. She showed that success isn’t always linear, and that true strength lies in the ability to adapt and thrive in the face of obstacles.

5. Cultural Preservation and Innovation

Princess Jully had a deep passion for preserving traditional Luo music, and her contributions helped keep the genre alive and relevant in modern times. She was committed to reintroducing traditional instruments in her performances, blending them with contemporary elements to create a unique sound that honored her roots while appealing to younger audiences. Her cultural pride and dedication to preserving Luo musical traditions have cemented her as a key figure in Kenya’s rich cultural history.

As part of the “Divas of the Nile” alongside other top female artists like Suzanna Owiyo and Achieng Abura, she contributed to putting Kenyan music on the international stage, highlighting the importance of collaboration and unity among African musicians.

6. An Advocate for Artists’ Rights

Having personally experienced the devastating effects of piracy, Princess Jully became a strong voice against the illegal distribution of music, which had not only affected her financially but also stifled her ability to produce new work. Her story highlighted the struggles that many Kenyan artists face when their intellectual property is not protected, and it underscored the need for stronger laws and policies to safeguard artists’ livelihoods.

7. Enduring Inspiration

Princess Jully’s life and career continue to inspire many young musicians, particularly women, to pursue their dreams despite the challenges they may face. Her story is one of tenacity, talent, and an undying passion for music, reminding the world that even in difficult circumstances, it is possible to rise, create, and leave a lasting impact. Her influence will continue to resonate across Kenya’s music scene and beyond.

Conclusion

Princess Jully’s legacy is that of a trailblazer, a woman who transformed the Benga music scene, fought against societal taboos, and stood as a beacon of resilience. She may no longer be with us, but her voice, her music, and her indomitable spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched.

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