From garbage collection to top of the charts

Do you care about what people think of your looks?

Yes, you know what; as an artiste, my body and image is my brand, I have to appeal to people and stand out. You never know, I might start endorsing vests, boxers or I could be in condom ads.

Do you work out to impress the ladies as well?

Ladies are my core fans and I have to look appealing to them. Before my music captures them, they have to be attracted by how I look, they motivate me. No single day have I gone up on stage and heard guys scream, the best they can do is clap or say “Igwe”, but the ladies scream and I thank God for them. Were it not for them I don’t think I would ever go to the gym, I would just be rapping. 

When did you start working out? You were never this buff.

I’ve always loved working out and I like looking nice. I started in high school but it was never that serious because I didn’t have as much time.

How many songs did you release before anyone knew who you were?

I had been in the industry for six years before Wele Wele came out.

Really?

Yes. I joined Pacho In 2009.

I recorded my first single called Blunder in 2010 and in 2011 I recorded a song with Rapdamu called Nataka More. In 2012 I did Yii Haa with Kenrazy and Sosuun. At the time I was an MC but it wasn’t bringing in enough money. I started selling mitumba clothes and didn’t make any money. I was also a garbage collector. I then became a tout and people would recognise me from the song I did with Kenrazy. That didn’t last long. Luckily in 2014 I got a gig to MC for Safaricom Athletics and that’s when I made Wele Wele. I performed it for the first time at the Rugby Sevens and it had a really good reception.

And after that?

To buy time I had to do a remix of the song in 2015 and it was a hit too. In June I released Usiogope with DNA, the same month I was featured in Frasha’s Shigidi. Then in September last year with Kansoul we released Tumekubali. In January I did Dus Nyau Ndulu with Kush Tracey. People are listening and loving my work.

Being an MC, clothes vendor, garbage collector, and a tout, did you ever dream that you would get to work with people like Frasha or Kansoul?

You know what, the first songs I ever did I used to diss them, I remember I called P Unit “pre-unit” and Collo “King wa Crap”.

Didn’t that create bad blood?

That was a long time ago! Those songs never got anywhere (laughs). But I believed one day I would make it because if I didn’t I would still be a tout.

There are people who comment on your songs on YouTube that your music will never go beyond Nairobi, how do you take that?

They don’t move me, I look at everything from the positive side. This is a guy who took his time; signed in, listened to the song and wrote something. If you don’t have haters then you are doing something wrong. I read them daily and I like some of them.

What is the worst comment you have ever read?

I can’t think of any right now but this is a person who gives me the time of day, and he plays his role as a hater. If I happen to see him I will give him a lift in my car.

What are some of the challenges you are currently facing?

High expectations. The moment people start seeing you on television, newspapers or billboards, they expect you to have some kind of status; that you should fly first class, no one should see you in the supermarket buying juice, they look at what kind of car you drive, how your girlfriend looks like, where your mother lives… the list is endless. I see comments like “T Dat is super short”, what do you want me to do about it? You can never please everybody, that’s why as an artiste you should identify your crowd.

In your collaboration with your girlfriend rapper Kush Tracey, are you guys trying to tell people to keep off from your relationship?

I was trying to write stuff that people can relate to. People were on our case, hating, everywhere we go (to public events) all we see are camera flashes and the next thing you know we are on the papers and blogs.

You wrote the whole song?

Everything. The moment we admitted that we were in a relationship we thought, fine, let’s write something guys want to hear.

Are the things you want people to hear true?

Most of it, like we address the car accident we were in.

Are you afraid that she might get someone better being in the lime light?

Everything happens for a reason, we used to meet at events when performing and our chemistry grew. We bonded and as usual photos surfaced. So we thought why not see where this goes? Of course there are people who want her or wish to be with her but we have principles. But the difference is I have her and any other person with any motives will have to start wooing her with cars or expensive gifts… at the end of the day she’s at home with me. I get temptations too but…

How long have you been growing your dreads?

Three years, they would be longer but there’s some dye I applied and my hair started falling off.

Do you plan on releasing an album?

Every serious artiste has to have an album.

How soon?

I won’t say a specific time because I believe everything has its own time, it’s my time to do singles and build my brand. I already have like seven hits so when the right time comes I will give people an album.

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QUICK FIRE

Have you ever worn the same socks twice or thrice without washing them?

Yes, especially in the gym. A guy has to have stinky socks...

How many tattoos do you have?

Eight.

Have you ever dated someone and their sibling at the same time?

Yes, in high school. One was in boarding school the other was at home. They had really great derrieres.

Ever been stood up on a date?

Yes. I suspect her boyfriend smelled something fishy.

Have you ever sent a naughty text to the wrong person?

Yes, to my girlfriend in fact.

Is there any artiste in the industry whose work you covet?

No, people envy me, I’m a threat. I’m a force to reckon with.

Have you ever had a manicure or pedicure?

Yes, I used to have this girlfriend whose mom owned a salon. I’ve had a facial too.

Have you ever used someone else’s toothbrush and you never told them?

My mum’s.

How many times have you been dumped?

Mine is a bit different... like when I find out a girl is cheating on me I just walk away.