The story of Princess Jully, the Dunia Mbaya hitmaker, is one filled with the highs of fame and the lows of personal struggle.
In the late 1990s, Princess Jully was a household name in Kenya, especially within the Luo community, where her powerful voice and poignant songs like “Dunia Mbaya” resonated with many.
Her music, often performed at “disco matangas” (funeral discos), became the soundtrack to countless village nights. These gatherings, marked by energy and nostalgia, were where many first encountered her iconic voice.
Her ascent to fame was remarkable. Initially, her husband, Julius Okumu, founded the Jolly Boys Band and adopted the name Prince Jully, from which she naturally became Princess Jully.
Together, they shaped the sound of the time. When Prince Jully passed away in 1997, Lillian took over the band’s leadership, keeping their legacy alive through hit songs that praised prominent figures and events.
Tracks like “Malo Malo” celebrated influential personalities, a strategic move that allowed her to stay relevant and well-connected with the elites of her time.
However, the industry’s evolution over the years was not kind to her. As technological advancements like social media, streaming platforms, and YouTube transformed the music landscape, many of her contemporaries failed to adapt to the digital age. The income disparity between musicians from her era and the current generation is stark.
While modern artists reap the benefits of royalties, brand endorsements, and international exposure, Princess Jully’s financial well-being dwindled. Her confession about not owning a basic phone and struggling to make ends meet paints a sad picture of how quickly fame can fade when the industry shifts.
Despite these challenges, her legacy remains impactful. Her music touched lives, entertained millions, and documented the political and social dynamics of her time. The fact that she struggled later in life doesn’t overshadow her contributions to Kenyan music. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of sustainable support systems for artists, especially in an era before the internet’s monetization mechanisms existed.
Her death on October 12, 2024, marks the end of an era for a generation of music lovers who grew up with her melodies. Though Jolly Boys Band’s vibrancy faded over the years, Princess Jully’s influence remains deeply rooted in the memories of those who experienced the magic of her music firsthand.
