ONE ON ONE: Jaya Awinja

BUZZ: For how long were you a backup singer?

I first went on stage in February 2009.

Was it how you wanted to venture into the music industry?

It wasn’t a goal I had but it was a door, an opportunity to see how the industry works, I just loved doing music and I went with it.

Fow whom have you been a background singer?

David Ogolla the former Tusker Project Fame (TPF) contestant. It was so weird because I used to watch him in TPF, then one day I saw him in the estate and I did the whole groupie thing. I said hello and told him how much I love his music and a few months later he invited me for a gig.

Just like that?

It was so strange.

But you are famous for ‘Bahasha ya Ocampo’

Yes, it was as a result of working on another project with Juliani.

Are you done with doing background vocals (BGVs) for other musicians?

As of now yes. I’m fully accepting the role of being a solo artiste. As a background singer I had aspirations of singing on my own and I would go into the studio and do random stuff on my own, at that time it was such a huge space for me to learn. I’m not saying I’m done learning but I’m done with that season.

What really prompted the decision?

I think it’s just the way things happen in life, moving gradually step by step and it led me to this point where I  knew I wanted to stand alone and become “Jaya” the brand.

Did it at some point feel like you were standing in other people’s shadow for too long?

Not really until I signed to Pine Creek records. Whenever I was asked to do BGVs for another artiste, I would feel it. But it was a learning experience because I worked with so many artistes and got to know what kind of music I like.

So who else apart from Juliani and David?

Kanji Mbugua, Atemi, Eric Wainanina, Deitrick Haddon and Timi Dakolo from Nigeria.

How did you end up working with Haddon?

Haddon had visited the country some time back during the “Spread the Love Festival” at Mavuno. I used to be in the Mavuno choir and was asked to be his back up together with Carol Atemi, and Wambura Mitaru. It was a good experience.

Is it everything you imagined it would be, being a solo artiste?

Of course it’s different and it’s a good place to be. I’m enjoying the season, the interviews, and weird questions. I value those five years that I had, I don’t think I’d have been ready then. I’m not yet ready for everything coming my way but those years were important.

You just started as a solo artiste and you already have an album

Yes, we are just releasing some singles so that people can get a taste of who Jaya is and what she’s doing so they have an idea of what they are buying.

Having an album this early is impressive

I want to be consistent with my music, which is good because people want to see where you’re going with your career.

Last year was spent in the studio because I wanted an album and I was fortunate enough to get signed to Pine Creek, so the process was quick. I recorded my first song and was ready to release it but it hit me that I just had one song. I was then ready to do 12 more.

So we should expect bigger and better things from you, right?

Yes, I know the songs are there and the album is ready, it’s just a matter of packaging and mastering it and I’m also looking forward to finding new inspiration this year and writing more songs. But I’m glad that I actually have an album.

You’ve started on a high note going by your first single Wewe Ndiwe, but are you ready for the naysayers?

I’ve seen a lot in my five years in the industry. People will lash out at you for small things like the acne on your forehead but that’s because you are in the limelight.

But generally in life you are never really ready. I will roll with the punches because I’m not going to sit and wait for what people will say next, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to move forward.

What genre is your music?

I like to use the word “eclectic” because it’s different sounds with an afro feel and touch. Initially I was very confused because I wanted to incorporate everything from the influences and sounds I listened to growing up, but I asked myself ‘who am I?’ I’m a young African girl who just likes to enjoy life and I felt that I needed to bring me and my personality in each and everything I do.

You have another single coming up with Lady Jay Dee, a big name in East Africa. That’s quite a deal

I believe it’s a matter of favour. It’s not something that I would have managed to do on my own. But she’s one of the people that I always wanted to work with because she’s not shallow and she knows how to fuse her words.

Contrary to popular belief, working with Lady Jay Dee was not the label’s choice. But a lot of things that you can’t do on your own are made possible if you are signed to a label.

Did they fight you on it?

No, but everything I present to the label they have to ask why, I have to back it up.

Wewe ndiwe is your first single from your  album but you have done another called Heart right here

It’s a song I did with a Zambian producer who came to Kenya and tracked me down because he’d heard me on the Juliani project. He’d suffered from depression for seven years and hearing me sing had touched him in some way and wanted us to work together.

It’s a pretty powerful thing for you to speak to someone through your song

I tear up when I hear that, but it’s very powerful for me. You go through stuff in life and you think it was wasted and that’s it.

But I believe no experience, good or bad, goes down the drain. It always fills my heart when someone comes to talk to me and says that they were able to live one extra day, week or month and they are now doing amazing things.

Your dad is in the video of Wewe Ndiwe

It was very hard getting him there. My dad lives by a schedule and by 4:30 p.m. he is in his house and nothing will get him out.

So I was expecting a polite ‘no’ when I asked him to be in the video. But on the day before the shoot, J Blessing asked me for his number, because the song is literally about him, and he convinced him to show up.

The shoot was happening on Magadi Road but my dad was mistakenly taken to Namanga, he got on set at 11 p.m., he’s an old but strong man. He was still in good spirits and we had a really good time.