ONE ON ONE: Fred Karumba aka DJ Krowbar

Last Sunday, one of Kenya’s top gospel music personalities, DJ Krowbar, real name Fred Karumba, announced he was leaving the ‘Tukuza’ TV show that he has been part of for the last five years.

BUZZ: Last Sunday’s show was quite emotional for you and your viewers. Had you planned it to be your last show?

I know it was a surprise to my fans but I had spoken to the management at KTN. Looking at all the comments that I got, it was an emotional moment for me to leave.

Why exactly did you leave the show?

Well, I had worked there for five years and it was time for me to move on and do other things.

What other things?

I have a production company that does advertisements and jingles. I have steady clients and I felt I needed to put more time towards that.

That’s it?

Like I said earlier, I would also like to give an opportunity to upcoming DJs who will fill up my position.

Was it a coincidence that Kendi Ashitiva, the only female presenter in the show, left with you?

Yes, the previous week before our final show, I found out she was leaving too, with her own reasons of course. So we both decided to do our final show last Sunday and announce it to our viewers.

Okay, you were the very first winner of Pilsner Mfalme DJ Competition in 2008. How did you end up on TV?

Let me take you back to where I started my deejaying career. In 2004, I joined Homeboyz DJ Academy as a student, since I had just finished my high school studies.

Were you saved then?

No, I got saved in 2005. So, after I finished my course, I did not deejay for almost two years. I then got a job at Wyntons School of Music, located at the Village Market (in Nairobi), to teach DJ skills and play guitar.

Then in 2008, the Mfalme DJs competition was announced and I joined in the race where I won.

What happened next?

I then joined K-Krew in 2009, where I was part of the first team that did the first gospel Sunday TV show on NTV, Crossover 101, with the rest of the K-Krew DJs then like DJ Moz, DJ Soxxy, DJ Johnie  Celeb, among others. That’s where my TV journey started.

I later left K-Krew to start my own company and in 2011, KTN came calling with the TV show "Tukuza". It has been a very nice journey all the way and it was time to move on.

Any best experiences you’ve had in the last five years?

Seeing lives change while doing the show has been an uplifting experience for me. When I get feedback that I touched someone’s life, it has always given me strength to keep going on.

My life has also changed tremendously for the better. I have gained many friends too and other important contacts in the process.

Any low moments you can remember?

Yes. I’m a married man with two children. I have been married for six years and in those years, I think I have gone to church with my family less than 15 times in total.

It has been that hard, having to be on TV every Sunday morning, while my wife and children go to church on their own. I am sure that is a challenge my fellow married DJs face every Sunday when they must be on TV.

So what was your wife’s reaction with your new move?

She is the happiest right now. She told me she can’t wait for me to take our first born daughter to Sunday School because I have never done that. I can’t wait to have that experience too, where we shall go to church as a family on Sundays.

What’s your future in the deejaying industry?

I will always be a DJ. I don’t know exactly what the future holds but I will be in gigs like I have always been. With a production studio now, I will be able to sharpen my skills for the better.

What’s your opinion on the current deejaying industry?

We all need to up our game and be more innovative. A studio is a must in any serious DJ’s home now. It makes them do better in the field.

How did you feel when KTN let you go?

No hard feelings at all. In fact, I thank them for giving me an opportunity first. I wish them and the new DJs all the best.