Rapper who defied father to pursue musical dream
Isaac Juma, aka "Jay Maah," a hip hop musician from Busia County. PHOTO | NATION
What you need to know:
- Together, they started composing songs which they used to perform after classes.
- Since finishing school, he has performed in many concerts both in Kenya and Uganda, the most memorable being in 2013 when he performed his popular track Madam Jennipher for Funyula MP Dr Paul Otuoma at the Samia Sports and Cultural festivals at Bujwang’a Primary School in Sio-Port.
When Isaac Juma, aka “Jay Maah,” started his musical career in 2007, little did he know that he could be rubbing his father the wrong way. His father thought that music would interfere with his studies.
“I would have given up in the first place, but thanks to my former school principal and a close friend at Bujwang’a Secondary School in Busia County, Mr Stephen Nageri Odebero, and my ever-swelling fan base, I was able to soldier on,” he says.
After sitting his KCPE in 2006 at Bumulimba Primary School, he joined St Mathias Busia Boys Secondary School, where he met fellow student, Elly Nyakundi.
Together, they started composing songs which they used to perform after classes.
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When their music teacher, Mr Tom Ayieko, spotted them, he immediately invited them to join the school performance team.
They would later represent their school in Solo Rap Category in the Busia Districts (now County) music festivals and the provincial championships which were at Chavakali Boys.
He was later transferred to Bujwang’a Secondary School in Funyula Constituency. Since finishing school, he has performed in many concerts both in Kenya and Uganda, the most memorable being in 2013 when he performed his popular track Madam Jennipher for Funyula MP Dr Paul Otuoma at the Samia Sports and Cultural festivals at Bujwang’a Primary School in Sio-Port.
He usually performs at weddings, schools, parties and in clubs in Busia County. He is a common figure at the SawaSawa Club at the Bumbe Beach, 3km from Sio-Port town.
His most popular songs — Madam Jennipher and Ahsante Mama — were produced by Chuqua Records in Kisumu and Kay-G Records in Mombasa through his close friend Benard Krade Yaite, the Principal Secretary for Water in the Busia County Government.
He receives airplay from clubs and FM radio stations in Kenya and Uganda.
“Video shooting comes with some challenges which need a lot of money,” he says. “This is a long journey for me and I hope with the assistance of my friends, fans and well-wishers, I will be able to fulfill my dreams,” he adds.
