From the streets to the charts

BUZZ: What is your real name?

Dennis Mwangi 

Why do people call you Papa?

I used to be in a band with some Congolese musicians and you know how they like giving people nicknames. 

How did you end up in a Congolese band?

Through my manager Sadat Muindi. It was him and MP Alfred Keter who discovered me, I guess they saw something special in me and figured I would do great things. I knew Keter before he became an MP through the Maliza Umaskini initiative in Matunda.

You are a former street kid, how  did you end up in the streets?

I’ve been through a lot, and growing up an orphan really takes a toll on you. It affected me after primary school seeing other kids go to high school while I couldn’t. It hurt a lot. So I started taking on menial jobs to survive. 

What did you do?

I used to sell Safaricom sim cards, and at one point I was employed at an M-Pesa shop. But the guy who employed us was a con, and we the little guys suffered for that.

I went to Kisumu after I finished primary school in 2006 and started selling mitumba clothes. I also hawked plastic bottles and glasses.

I wanted my siblings to continue with their education. I’m still putting my small sister through school. But I had to go back home to Matunda in Kakamega County during the post-election violence then later landed in Nairobi where I worked as a construction worker in Kasarani.

Life was hard so went back home and that’s where I was discovered musically. I don’t think I was special, I think it’s God who chose me because I know how to persevere. 

Did you manage to go to high school?

That was always my dream but things got harder, I’ve always been street smart and I think that’s what helped me put my family through school. I wanted them to have a better life.

I remember in Kisumu I used to wake up at 3am to go the market and I pulled through because I knew it was for my siblings.

Now I’m travelling to countries I never dreamt of like South Africa and London, rubbing shoulders with people like Wizkid.

I have a show this month in London and I know God is planning even greater things for me. 

What happened next after being discovered?

We were several kids who were discovered in the talent search and Sadat brought us to Nairobi and housed us in Umoja, Innercore. But it seems some of the guys weren’t too keen on pursuing music and they left. I knew what I wanted in life and I asked God to take control of everything since I was taking care of my siblings. Sadat has always looked out for me and keeps me on the straight and narrow. He always advises me to never compare myself to anyone else and just live my life. 

Was it hard making connections in the industry?

Very hard because you first have to have money, and trying to get in touch with artistes is the hardest. I almost gave up on music. There’s a day I just broke down and cried. It got to a point where I had no place to sleep, I slept out on the streets like a watchman. 

Wasn’t Sadat housing you anymore?

Sadat was out of the country. Before he flew out he was so angry with some of the guys because they weren’t serious and he kicked us out. Everybody else went back home.

I went to the streets. I found work at a candle factory where I earned Sh100 a day. Somebody from the factory heard my story and suggested that together with a friend of mine, Ray, go live with him. He was single so when his girlfriend came over we slept at the factory. Eventually she moved in and we had to move out.

Luckily the landlady was very nice and she gave us a house even though we didn’t have enough money for rent.

When Sadat came back he noticed that people were taking a keen interest on me, so he called me one day and took me to a band practice. After that performance I got to know artistes like DK Kwenye Beat, Bahati, Willy Paul, and J Blessing. 

Is everything working out now?

Yes. Sadat rented us a two bedroom house in Umoja. I was living with JI, the one who sang Kidato Kimoja and Sarakozi. Later, Sadat moved me to another house, a 3-bedroom house in Komarock, Nairobi. I now live with my brother. 

You did 'Foundation' with Daddy Owen, who owns the song?

When we decided to work together we said we were doing it for God.  I wanted us to do something that would challenge people. I’m an upcoming artiste and I acknowledge that he is a big artiste in Kenya and the gospel industry. But I told him I would cater for the cost of shooting the video. But we co-wrote the song.

Who caters for your trips and functions?

Sadat does. I had planned on going abroad for my birthday but I decided to feed street kids at Central Park. I have been down that road before and I know what it’s like to be hungry. 

The video launch of your single 'Njoo' was attended by top politicians

There were about 26 guests including Members of Parliament. If you have a good heart, love your job and stay focused the people around you will want to make you better. I’m inclined to think that they were there because they love my work.

Are you afraid of being poor again?

There’s no one who would like to go back to having nothing, plus I like wearing shoes. (Laughs)