L Jay Maasai, The singing Moran

Was "Tapala" your first solo hit after your collaboration with Shiru wa GP in Laleiyo?

"Tapala" was the second gospel song I did, but it was the one that put me in the limelight and gave me my breakthrough, I guess.

You’ve said before that Shiru was more of a teacher than a friend, how so?

She’s more of a mentor actually. I call her mum. When we started working together, she didn’t just take me as an artiste to collaborate with, she took me like a son, guiding me in the industry and advising me.

How did you meet?
Let me just say that God brought her to me because when I was starting out looking for artistes to collaborate with, most turned me down, saying they were busy. I was new and they didn’t know who this guy was. Shiru wasn’t sure as well but she took a chance with me and it worked.

Having made a mark in the industry, are people now seeking to work with you?

Very much so, they are looking to collaborate with me, asking me to partner with them in projects.

Are you considering working with them?

At the moment, no.

Why?
First of all I’m concentrating on my stuff right now and the next collaboration I’ll be doing will have to be international because my style of music is different, so I find it hard to fuse it with other local styles.

Isn’t there anyone who has caught your eye musically?

Not really.

Would you say you are choosy or just particular in who you want to work with?

I’m not choosy, I’m a perfectionist. But above all it’s God who is guiding me and if I don’t feel it then He is not feeling it as well… you see where I’m going with this?

You could have chosen to purely sing in English or Kiswahili but you chose Maasai.

When I started doing my music I wanted to do something different and unique so I looked into my background, my culture and saw this was the only way I could do that, incorporating my culture and dress code made it unique and original.

Would you say Kenyans are embracing you because you are different?

I think Kenyans appreciate different and unique stuff. And it’s not only Kenyans because I was nominated for two awards in England and USA. So the reception is good.

Speaking of awards, this has been a good year for you...

Yes, there was Groove, my fans made it possible for me to win the New Artiste of the Year and Rift Valley Song of the Year, that’s Laleiyo with Shiru wa GP.

After Groove Awards, I won Best Upcoming Male Artiste in Talanta Awards in the USA so that’s a huge big up to my USA fans.

I was also nominated for the AGMA awards In London in the Discovery of the Year category. My fans again crowned me artiste of the year in the Xtreem Teeniz Awards, and Video of the year for "Tapala".

How does it feel crossing borders and winning international awards?

It feels good, it motivates me because people are noticing and appreciating what I’m doing. Above all God is working and I give all the glory to Him.

You were named the ambassador for The Rift Valley Annual Mega Concert, let’s talk about that...

It was in Nakuru at the Afraha Stadium with big gospel artistes like Bahati, Size 8, DK Kwenye Beat, J Fam, Benachi, Shiru wa GP, Janet Otieno, DJ Mo, DJ ruff, DJ Tabz, Dr. Ofweneke, MC Abel and the Unik dance crew that dances for L Jay Maasai.

The main purpose of the event was to raise a generation with a positive impact, it wasn’t just for entertainment. There was HIV testing, cancer screening and educational talks on drug abuse.

Hopefully the youth left with a difference having achieved something.

Are you a Moran?

This is the real “Ndauo”, you can tell by my hairstyle. I was made a Moran by an elder of morans in Narok. I had to talk to him to approve my hairstyle to be a Moran. And he did.

And you get to be fashionable while you are at it
Of course, I’ve seen people have started copying my hairstyle which is a good thing I guess.

Are you done with school?
I’m in college but I took a break to concentrate on music; but I’ll be going back very soon. I was studying Tourism and Software development.

You have achieved so much in a short time. What is your work ethic?

For me it is about discipline, focus, being principled and determined. Not having enough makes me want more. It is also about being prayerful and putting God first because at the end of the day all the glory is His.

What motivates you?

There was a time in my life when I was herding cows, I’m not saying it was a bad thing but it was very boring. I hate being idle and poverty is not a good thing. My mom also motivates me because she worked hard to raise me as a single mother. I wake up every single day wanting to change her life in one way or another. I work hard for that.

Have you changed it so far?
It’s changing and I thank God for it.

There were rumours that you grew up in the States

I wish I grew up in America; I grew up in Kenya.

You allegedly had a fight with Hope Kid over a girl. Care to clear that up?

Who? Who’s that? The only fight I’ve had is with my mum over not wearing clean socks or something.

Are you mama’s boy?

Yes and I’m very proud of it.

You are also helping kids with talent in school?
Yes, this organisation called Edument supports bright needy students. They approached me and we started working together so that they can get an education.

Do you have any plans for the Christmas holidays?
I’ll be somewhere ministering to people, trying to make someone’s Christmas better. I’m just passionate about trying to change people’s lives and working with the youth to impact them positively.

Have you ever questioned your salvation?

We are human and the Bible says we are all sinners, but apart from that, what’s important is to know what you want and keeping the faith. And wherever you go wrong it’s always wise to seek forgiveness.

Would you collaborate with anyone not in the gospel industry?
It depends on what the purpose is, if it is for entertainment then I don’t think so. But if this guy has decided to change and give their life to Christ then we can talk. And he has to be up to standard.

Internationally, who are you looking to work with?
I can’t reveal anything yet, I’ll keep you waiting but it’s going to be a surprise.