CHIWAWA: The original king of the diss game

Chiwawa rose to prominence fast after he burst into the scene with some very controversial lyrics that instantly stirred the then calm rap game pool with his diss tracks, War and War song 1 in the early 2000s. He took a swipe at almost all the popular local artistes for doing Kapuka calling it “useless”. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU

What you need to know:

  • As an artiste, Ken Gaciengo Mwai, or Chiwawa to his fans, describes himself as arrogant, bold, fearless and skilful. No need to fact check him on that as anyone who has heard his music and followed his career will confirm.
  • He took a swipe at almost all the popular local artistes for doing Kapuka calling it “useless”.
  • The tracks elicited responses from some artistes, including Kleptomaniax, who had the best responses ever with, Tuendelee, a song that will never fade away.

Chiwawa rose to prominence fast after he burst into the scene with some very controversial lyrics that instantly stirred the then calm rap game pool with his diss tracks, War and War song 1 in the early 2000s.

He took a swipe at almost all the popular local artistes for doing Kapuka calling it “useless”.

The tracks elicited responses from some artistes, including Kleptomaniax, who had the best responses ever with, Tuendelee, a song that will never fade away.

Although he maintains they are friends with Abbas, the two also excited the Kenyan Hip-Hop industry when they turned on each other.

They kept their base entertained after Abbas called Chiwawa his baby and that he should keep licking the bones once he (Abbas) is done with the meat.

Abbas released Chapaa aiming at Chiwawa.

Chiwawa wasn’t happy about it and he delivered a brutal, call-to-arms to the Kariobangi South rapper.

The beef dragged on for a few months but it all ended after a public rap battle when the two decided to put their differences behind them.

But after exciting the industry with his songs, Chiwawa went silent and save for a few, many of this new generation of rap fans wouldn’t pick him in a crowd.

He also cut his trademark dreadlocks and is now trying to rise to relevance once again and while there are new stars who rule the genre, Chiwawa is confident he can take over again.

First things first, you have a different look?

Yes, man. I have been in this game for so long now and I decided it was time to rebrand as I get ready to release my new music. 

The dreads are gone, what’s up with that?

I shaved a few months ago. After 13 years with them, I decided it was time to let go. New look, new music. 

Shaved dreads fetch a pretty penny these days...

I have them stored somewhere safe and I’ll be auctioning them soon for a worthy cause. 

So what does the new look mean?

What I can say is that the new look means there is growth from the way I’m writing my music and the themes that I have chosen. Basically my whole approach of music has totally changed. There is growth in it but still the Uchiwawa (the core) will still be there. For now, it is a new sound and all you have to do is sit down and wait. 

When can we hear your new sound?

Everything is supposed to be ready by the end of April and the first single will be out in May. The EP has eight songs and the first single is called Si u Sare. 

Any collabo with other big names in the industry?

Not really, but I have done one with a guy called D Mike, and I’m also trying to get Sage in one of the jams that I have done. It is my sound so I do not want to be swallowed by these other names in the industry. 

What have you been up to lately away from music?

I have been in the studio a lot and have been making time to try to mentor the youth. I have an initiative called Young, Gifted and Green, where we teach green solutions to young people. 

You have been in the industry for a long time, what do you think you can change and what do you think the industry in Kenya needs?

One person cannot change the industry. I’m just playing my part. It takes the effort of all the artistes to change the industry. I cannot say I am doing anything different but I believe I’m playing my part. When we work together, we complement each other by bringing in different styles and that is one way we can grow. We do not have to do the same thing. I’m bringing what I have on the table and hope people will like it. I might not have the secret ingredients but who knows. 

What did you think of the three female rappers going at each other like they did last year?

I listened to them and it was interesting. For me it was a win-win because at the end of the day, some unknown brands came to the limelight. I can’t say who won, but it was a plus for the industry. The game won. 

Artistes are still complaining about fair air play on mainstream media...

With the onset of social media, things have changed. During our time we had to use middle men, but now we can release our music direct to our fans. You can even engage them and hear what they think about your sound. Still, the mainstream media plays a very big role and I am an advocate for that 70 per cent local content rule. At the end of the day it protects our heritage.

There is no way you can go and start looking for a different mother if you don’t like the one who gave birth to you. She is still your mother. So Kenyan music is all we (Kenyans) have. Let us all nurture it and correct it where it is supposed to be corrected. Promoting foreign music at the expense of our own is ignorance because that is revenue going out.