Johannesburg - Nairobi-based alternative R&B singer, Karun, is a trendsetter of note. The 26-year-old has already made a name for herself in the industry with her interesting sound.
“Music has always been something I gravitated towards, ever since I was little, but the thing that got me into the music industry was an encounter I had when I was around 14.
“My best friend at the time introduced me to her cousin Marcus at the studio near her house. We hung out with him and some of his friends, and made music. That was the start of the group Camp Mulla that thrust us into the spotlight.”
Camp Mulla went on to earn a BET nomination for their music.
For the last 10 years Karun, whose real name is Karungari Mungai, has been honing her craft, with inspiration from her dad and sister.
“They love music, and always played me and my siblings their favourite music, growing up. They took us to live music events a lot too, and my love for music grew even more.”
Karun, a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30, 2019 alumni, recently released her 7-track EP titled Catch A Vibe. It is a fusion of alternative R&B, Afrobeats and drill sounds.
“I make music that is honest, meditative at times, and healing for me and sometimes for the listener. My creative process differs depending on what season of life I’m in. I’ve learned to be open when I create, at least at the start, then use my knowledge of song structures and music theory only at the end to help me ‘finish’ a song. Changing up my process allows me to keep it interesting for myself. Some of my favourite songs happened when I wasn’t trying to make anything serious,” she said.
This EP provides a laid-back and captivating listening experience as Karun speaks her truth after a brief hiatus. It also takes listeners on an introspective look at her journey thus far.
“Life inspired this release. The music I make always represents some recent life lessons, and the sounds and production usually mirror the energy I want to create as well.”
Her stage name Karun comes from her birth name Karungari. It came about because some of her teachers couldn’t pronounce her full name.
“They shortened it, and anglicised it to ‘Karen’ but when I got into the music industry, fans started pronouncing it ‘Karun’ with an elongated ‘u’ (oo), and that kinda just stuck.”
Karun has collaborated with an array of talented musicians including Botswana’s R&B soul sensation Mpho Sebina, young Kenyan rising star Kahu$h, LA-based R&B artist Chase Aaron and Kenya’s R&B princess Xenia Manasseh with notable production from Nigeria’s Le Mav and Higo, and Atlanta-based MOMBRU.
In celebration of Africa Month, Karun wants to plant indigenous trees to add to the natural beauty of Africa. She is also a big fan of how South Africans celebrate their culture, music and people.
“I admire how proud South Africans are. Kenyans are still re-learning how to love themselves and be proud of our culture.
“Until just recently we didn’t even play our own music on the radio. So being unapologetically proud of ourselves, buying local, wearing local clothes etc, investing in ourselves and protecting what we still have will help make Africa the powerhouse it is supposed to be over time hopefully.”
If there was one thing she could change about the music industry, it would be the idea of being famous.
“I would change this monster we call ‘fame’. It’s weird, overrated, unhealthy. I love to see artists make art, be normal and make money without being put on a pedestal.”
On Karun’s list of artists she’d love to collaborate with, American star SZA stands out. “I really like her sound, especially her song writing style. It’s so free-flowing and honest. It’s not something you would commonly find in the pop world. Her journey has been really dope to watch.”
She also admires the work of artists like Erykah Badu, Willow Smith, Doja Cat, Burna Boy and Shekhinah.
When it comes to her EP, she wants people to enjoy it freely. “The title says it all, catching a vibe. That’s literally where I was when I made it. I didn’t want it to be too serious or too heavily themed either. I just wanted it to be honest and that’s how I was feeling.”
Karun’s Catch A Vibe EP can be streamed and downloaded on artist service company, Platoon.
The Star