Go on and be great

Sony Pictures don’t need script ideas; they are already sitting on the stuff movies are made of! You’ve heard all about "The Interview" by now, I’m sure.

A movie about killing Kim Jong-Un that pissed off a cyber terrorist enough to hack Sony and cause an international incident. Yes, riveting popcorn stuff right there! The emails between Sony executives are scandalous.

Taking shots at Angelina Jolie, Kevin Hart, President Obama, even Will Smith’s kids got a mention. Something about them being really dumb.

They promise to release more emails if the movie première goes ahead so enjoy the secrets of Hollywood delivered to your door via Kim Jong Un. I can’t get mad at the guy. I just can’t. He’s like Putin – Badass!

So on Sunday evening, after catching up on the latest leaked emails, I attended a listening party for Kavi Pratt. She has an album coming out next year and this was an entrée.

IMPRESSIOVE ITALIAN

My first experience of Kavi’s music was back in 2012, when she opened for James Ingram. She had just come back from a long stint in Italy where she studied music at Percentomusica – corsi di musica a Roma.

You’ve got to love how impressive Italian always sounds! Anyhow, this girl got on stage and rocked the house! She has since opened for Anthony Hamilton and Jamaican songstress Alaine.

Fast forward to last weekend where she was the only act and all eyes were on her. Her band is fabulous – all girls except for the pianist. She did not disappoint. No playback for this girl, live all the way.

It was good fun. She mixed her own stuff with other contemporary artistes. She did not need to – her own compositions could easily stand alone.

One can’t complain, though, because we got a longer show out of it. She has a good rapport with her audience and looks like she really enjoys herself up there.

SELF-DOUBT

There’s a star in the making, look out for her. Notables who showed up for the event were Mama Ngina Kenyatta, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Beth Mugo, Chris Kirubi and Jeff Koinange.

It’s always good to see local artistes receive support, especially from corporates. Jamii Bora Bank, whose focus is the youth, sponsored the event.

Representing the bank was the Chief Commercial Officer, Timothy Kabiru and Andrew Githaiga (head of SME Banking). Richard Ngatia of Galileo Lounge also made a sizeable contribution and was acknowledged on the night.

I asked Kavi why it’s taken her so long to put an album together and she responded: “I guess I never believed in myself enough to do it. Self-doubt can paralyze you.”

This is true of many of us. Even those among us, it seems, who sing like angels. After a massively successful night, she now understands that even the Grammies are achievable.

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Look at her sponsors – Jamii Bora started a bank with little more than a dream and look where it is today. One of its pillars is its belief that anyone can succeed.
So, if like Kavi you have a talent in something or if like the founders of Jamii Bora Bank you have a dream about something, don’t let self-doubt paralyze you. Go out and seize the day.

The rewards are immeasurable. The late Steve Jobs said: “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

"They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”