My goal is to make people happy

Muthoni the Drummer Queen took on stage at the American hip hop recording artiste Talib Kweli show that took place at Ebony lounge on October 23, 2014. PHOTO | CHARLES KAMAU

What you need to know:

  • I wanted to create a platform where I could showcase my talent to an incredible audience. The events at the time were not up to my expectations, and so I decided to take matters into my own hands.
  • I am not afraid to test the waters and that’s why I show my fans that, so that they too know that they should not be afraid to be versatile! My sound has now evolved into hip-hop.

Q: What drives you?

A: The urge to fulfil my life’s motto, which is to always try and make everyone happy through entertainment, and the yearning to create and strive to communicate to the world that Kenya and Africa is the future!

What inspired you into singing?

Singing is something that has always been there, even before I started rapping. I compose my own songs. I am an all-round performer. I am a singer, rapper and drummer, but a singer first.

My fans inspire me, and that’s actually what my new Deluxe MDQ album is all about; it’s for Nairobi fans. It will be out next month.

You go by the stage name ‘Muthoni the Drummer Queen’ or ‘The Baus Lady’; tell us something about that.

It is exactly what it says. I am your every day Nairobian hustler. I am a drummer and artiste. I play the drum, rap and sing. I am a queen, because I have worked and I still work incredibly hard to own and cultivate my craft. Anyone who does that is royalty.

You are the founder and CEO of Blankets & Wine. What has your experience been?

It started seven years ago as exclusively a music festival, but it has evolved. Blankets & Wine today is a creative space with more than five stages dedicated to the creative industry, including music, literature, film, art and fashion. The first Sunday of every month is now dedicated to a journey to discover, love and share Kenya’s creative industry, because there’s so much that it has to offer.

Why did you start Blankets & Wine?

I wanted to create a platform where I could showcase my talent to an incredible audience. The events at the time were not up to my expectations, and so I decided to take matters into my own hands.

You were nominated for the Top 40 women under 40 by the Business Daily. Do you feel you are at your peak?

I’m still very far from the finish line. It is my hope that soon I will get to where I want to be. My ambition is to expand and develop Kenya’s creative pool.

Why Afro-Electro?

When I created the song Welcome to the Disco, I wanted to create a more up-beat, commercial song, so that my fans could see me in a more versatile light.

I am not afraid to test the waters and that’s why I show my fans that, so that they too know that they should not be afraid to be versatile! My sound has now evolved into hip-hop; I intend to perform with Talib Kweli, the American hip-hop star.

What is it that brings the most out of life for you?

The ability to create, make music that my fans love, make events that people enjoy, and to deliver to the world on a creative level. And always putting my fans at the fore gives me a lot of satisfaction.

Why the hair style?

Why not? It’s like a crown, fit for a queen!

If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?

Practising singing. I would probably be in the events industry; that is how much I love singing.

Tell us about your education background

I studied International Relations in university.

Is the Drummer Queen dating?

I am not dating because I am fully focusing on my career. My job pressure is too much for me to create room to date.

What do you do for fun?

I love my friends and family, so loads of dinners and, of course, hip hop and karaoke at the Vineyard!

Any talents we do not know about?

Most people don’t know this, but I love to cook; I’m such a foodie! Give me anything and I will cook it for you. It’s all I do when I am not singing.

Have any of your songs received worldwide attention?

“Mikono Kwenye Hewa” and “Life” have been my greatest hits so far.

 Have you performed outside Kenya?

Most of my performances have been in Nairobi, obviously, hahaha; but I have also performed in Tanzania, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3 player?

Shakira (laughs out loud). But I’m not even embarrassed; I love La Tortura.

Is there a genre of music that you can’t stand?

Electronic Dance Music.

What is your favourite colour?

Red