Qritiqal: Passionate about music

Qritiqal is the only Kenyan artiste at Nigeria’s popular record label, Chocolate City after singer Victoria Kimani left. He spoke to Buzz about his steadily rising career and the lessons learned so far from the label.

What was your childhood like?

I grew up in Mombasa. Growing up I had this love for music and I sang in school. With the whole culture that is there you’ll somehow find yourself in music, it’s a very musical town.

Do you still live in Mombasa?

Right now I’m in Nairobi, my producer is here, but Mombasa is still my home.

Are you the only one that sings in your family?

No, my late sister used to sing, she was a really good singer.

Maybe you got it from her?

Our mom was a singer too, she used to sing in the choir, very powerful alto.

Are you signed to any other label or is it just Chocolate City?

It’s just Chocolate City.

Did they seek you out or was it the other way round?

They discovered me through their scouting fraternity in Kenya?

What was that process like?

They first did a search on You Tube, then the scout asked me to send some of my unreleased material. At the time I was working with Motif, a Kenyan producer who actually did my latest single called Won’t Tell. That’s pretty how much it went down. And this was just last year.

You’re the only Kenyan in the label now since Victoria Kimani left, are you nervous about being the only Kenyan representative?

No, I’m not, I love what I do and I’m passionate about it; working with different people, the challenges and hopefully expanding the Kenyan entertainment scene to another level. So for me it’s more than a privilege to work with a Nigerian label.

Do you have complete control of the creative process or do they tell what to do?

I really like working in a team, so as much as I have complete control they have some input as well. That way we are able to achieve more because I might see certain things in one perspective while they view them differently. It’s a team effort which makes me feel at home.

Some fans think your music already sounds Nigerian

I really respect my fans’ opinions and they help me know what they are feeling. For instance Malkia has so much Swahili in it but it was produced by a Nigerian producer, it also has a little bit of afro beats infused in it. So I understand when some people say it feels Nigerian. It’s just the way Drake sings on an afro beat track, does it make him sound, you know… Music is global.

What did you expect when you were signed to Chocolate City and have they fulfilled your wishes?

Yes they have, they have taken care all of my expectations, like the quality of my music, the videos, proper management, basically my brand is being handled seriously, professionally and there’s a structure to it. When you’re a freelance artiste your brand isn’t structured, you pretty much do everything and that becomes tricky when you’re supposed to be in studio and you have meeting to go to.

How hard or easy was it before you landed a management team?

Very early on, I met some people who claimed to be artiste managers but who turned out to be fraudsters. It was a learning experience and I took it as a blessing because it made me realise I should take my music seriously. You have to do your own research, and sometimes that means going through certain experiences for you to tighten up things.

Did it cost you financially?

I looked at it as an investment.

You win some you lose some right?

Yes, but at the end of the day you gain through experience.

What are some of the things you have picked up from your management that you think other labels in Kenya could gain from?

Structure and distribution channels. Simple. You have a label and then run it like a studio. There’s a difference between a label and studio. There are however labels in Kenya that are handling their artistes very well and they deserve to be commended. It’s a learning process, eventually we’ll get it.

So why not relocate to Nigeria?

Mcheza kwao hutuzwa, as much as I would like to set up my base in whatever country, home is home. Nigeria is a foreign country and I don’t mind working with them. I take Kenya to them and they bring Nigeria to me. We learn from each other

Do you still keep in touch with Victoria Kimani?

She is like a sister to me, she’s the first Kenyan artiste who gave me a platform during her album launch. She brought me to the stage and it was really amazing. She has mentored me, we have conversations from time to time and we are close.

How many projects do you intend on finishing and releasing by the end of the year?

Perhaps more than 10, collaborations and solo efforts. But more solo, there’s so much music I have, oh my God. I have four major projects coming up and my management is finalising on a couple of shows and soon as they are done I will be able to share the information.

How many songs should an artiste ideally release in say a year?

Fans love an artiste who’s consistent. It’s how you space them out. You can’t release one today then wake up tomorrow and release another, give it sometime but be consistent. I can’t say which number is enough but consistency keeps you connected to your fans and people who appreciate your music.

Do you have a girlfriend?

She is around.

Where?

(Laughs) I’m kidding. I’m just focusing on my music right now. Once you have a girlfriend she needs attention and everything else that comes with it. I’m not saying there’s no chance of seeing someone but right now it’s just about music because I spend a lot of time in the studio.