ONE ON ONE: Amos and Josh

BUZZ: Did you guys hit it off from the day you met?

We’ve known each other for over five years; we found ourselves singing in groups together in church. Eventually the opportunity presented itself and we thought it would be nice to go as Amos and Josh. We both can sing and we figured we could be explosive.

So do you guys sing gospel music or secular music?

We just do music.

You don’t want to be put in a box?

We are measured by the kind of content that we put out there. Yes, we are Christians; we are born again, meaning that our content will be supported by who we are and not necessarily by being placed in a box.

Do you look at your road to success now as a form of payback for not winning TPF?

Not really, there’s a difference between having talent and singing, and being in the music business itself. You can be very gifted in singing but you don’t understand the music industry. What has helped us the most are the friendships and associations we have made in the industry.

For instance, when we came out of TPF, Sauti Sol helped us understand the industry. They taught us how to write songs for the mass market.

They introduced us to producers who we are working with till today like Cedo; it’s a network of things if you want to make it work. TPF was a perfect platform and we got to learn a lot off camera. It was invaluable.

You hardly started from the bottom, considering the artistes you have already collaborated with. You began at the top, wouldn’t you say?

It’s not really at the top because the grind has to be there for any artiste to make it. Yes TPF gave us a platform but we had to start over in the industry, we’ve had to work really hard, spent so many hours in the studio, created relationships and all that.

Like one of our friends once told us, you can never cheat the hustle, it has to be there.

Buy you haven’t had to knock from station to station asking presenters to play your songs.

We’ve been privileged on that end because meeting Sauti Sol connected us to our current producer and people believed in us.

Working with these two big entities, Rabbit and Sauti Sol, would you say you are riding on their coattails; or is talent and pure luck what got you this far?

It’s symbiotic; we all benefit from each other, we learn and grow together.

Are you going to do a video for Smile?

We have so many projects ahead that we haven’t looked back to the projects we did before. But we have good things in store. You should watch out.

Have you met fans who have done weird things to get your attention?

Not so far, but we have fans who really appreciate what we do and especially for the song Baadaye. So many people did covers for the song, which was very nice. We appreciate the love and support.

What do you think about the hullabaloo surrounding Nerea?

Artistes reflect society, they get inspired by what is going on around them and that is what we create stories from. We don’t do it to target people. Some of the greatest songs that were ever sung in the world were out of situations that were happening. That is basically what Nerea is all about.

Are you working on an album?

Music is a journey, the more we are travelling in this career the more our strategies are being refined. So right now we are just focusing on singles and giving people a taste of what the Amos and Josh sound is like. But, of course, there is an album coming.

Who else is on the list of people you intend to work with?

It will be a surprise.

Not even a peek?

We just did something with Eric Omondi, you can be sure where he is everything is just funny. He must be our biggest fan; you’ll see what we’ve done. Creating these kinds of relationships is important because it’s the only way these guys will guide you and walk you through the industry. You have to be very respectful, too.

Sometimes I get surprised by new artistes who have become big headed, and then you meet someone like Eric Wainaina who’s a giant in the industry, and maybe even the highest paid, and he is nice to people.

Are you planning on doing more collaborations?

There will be a lot of singles from us and, of course, collaborations are good. They make sense if you want to pass a message and if you feel you have chemistry with a person. But even in the collaborations, there is the Amos and Josh element, there is an EP coming though.

What wouldn’t you do for fame?

Sell our morality and integrity, or give up our faith in Jesus.

Would you change your style if it promised more money?

Style evolves and it goes back to the individual, if what you believe in can be changed with money then that means you are not strong enough.

How much do you let fans into your private lives?

We love interacting with our fans, it’s a special feeling to see that kind of belief in what we do. But we are also individuals and we need our space.

Fauvorite movie

Amos: Transformers 3 and 3 idiots

Josh: Blended

Collaboration dead or alive

Amos: MJ and Tupac Shakur. Alive, we have approached some Kenyan artistes and we hope things will materialise.

Josh: Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross. Alive; it would be Kendrick Lamar and AKA.

Biggest celebrity crush

Amos: I have a girlfriend, so this one is tricky; I’ll let Josh take this one.

Josh: Breanna from One on One, oh Breanna, wherever you are…

Weirdest rumour you’ve ever heard about yourselves.

We haven’t heard much, or maybe our minds are just too concentrated on music

Interesting ritual before going on stage

Praying, it’s a must.

Dumbest thing you’ve ever done

Josh: it’s the dumbest belief: when I was a kid, I used to think that when you go the post office, there’s a long trench where you just throw in the letter and it gets to Mombasa.

Amos:  I used to think I was bought in the supermarket, and I told my mom to buy a sister because I grew up in an all-boys family. The whole Nerea subject wasn’t a topic we discussed back then (laughs).

Where did you go to School?

Josh: Olympic Primary School, Upper Hill School, The University of Nairobi

Amos: Imara Primary, Dagoretti High school, Graffins College.

Do you think you’re smart?

Amos: I think I should think I’m smart, otherwise I would have low self esteem. I’m smart; just don’t put me next to Einstein.

Josh: I’m smart; no one can beat me at being me.

Do you have any naughty pictures in your phones?

Josh: There are no naughty pictures, you can check.

Amos: Define naughty, I have very interesting pictures, I can tell you that, but not of myself. They are funny memes. Everybody has a limit of how crazy they are.

How old are you?

Amos: I’m 30, I’m Kamba, and we just never grow old (laughs)

Josh: I’m 25.