MY HUSTLE: I always thought it was a woman's job, now I love it

If you have a dream, don’t just sit there. Gather courage to believe that you can succeed and leave no stone unturned to make it a reality. –  Dr Roopleen

At only 19 years, Anthony Mwangi has become well known as an emcee and a nail technician in Nakuru. Anthony, who goes by the stage name MC Anto, is also a gospel artiste. He speaks to MARGARET MAINA about his career journey.

Anthony Mwangi was born in Bondeni Estate, Nakuru Town. When he was in Standard Six, his father lost his job and his mother, a businesswoman who sold tealeaves and fruits door-to-door, became the sole breadwinner.

It was a struggle to bring up Anthony and his three siblings. When he was about to join secondary school, his parents had lost hope of being able to pay his fees and they asked him to think of something he can do.

His aunt, however, saw a promising future in him because he was talented in music and had performed well in the national exams, and decided to pay his secondary school fees.

Anthony had discovered his singing talent in Standard Five, and in secondary school he was always took up opportunities to perform various songs during school events and became popular among his peers.

When did you discover you can Emcee?

While in high school, I would volunteer to emcee at events and the Christian Union chairman challenged me to consider emceeing in future as he saw my potential.

So one day during the school Annual General Meeting I took up the role of emcee and I was doing it in Swahili in front of all parents, students, teachers and the board of management.

I wasn’t fluent in Swahili then and I didn’t know how to translate ‘escort’ so I said ‘wanaescortiwa’.

This angered my Swahili teacher who chased me off the stage in front of everyone. It was so embarrassing and it killed my morale. I was scared of taking up more emceeing positions in school, as every time I did, students would laugh at me.

But deep down I knew I was on the right path and that one incident wasn’t going to deter me from following my passion.

Tell me about your breakthrough?

Persistence is key for success.

After I completed secondary school education, I joined System Unit – a DJ Academy.

Here I met DJ Ray, who is DJ Mo’s cousin. He mentored me and helped me improve my skills. After a while, he began tagging me along to school missions.

One time he gave me the chance to emcee at the Hope Kids’ event and I was paid Sh5,000. I later emceed at a DK Kwenye Beats function and I was paid Sh10,000.

It is at this point that I realised my determination was paying off.

I have met several producers such as Jacky Denzel and Bern Mziki who produced my first song, which I will release soon. I also participated in 2017/2018 Talanta Awards up to the semi-final level and also participated in Talanta Mtaani.

How did you get into nail art?

I needed a job that was consistent so I could support my family.

My friend introduced me to nail art. At first I was embarrassed about it because I didn’t know anything about nail polish and I had considered it more of a woman’s job.

But I was desperate for a job to earn money, so I trained and slowly got used to it. We did door to door nail polish applications, from Bondeni, Manyani, Kaptembwo and several downtown estates charging between Sh50 and Sh100.

Most of my friends laughed at me but people who lack the clarity, courage, or determination will often find ways to discourage your from achieving your goals.

I no longer regret venturing into the nail art business.

I was later introduced to Jimmy Jey Beauty Parlour where the owner employed me as one of his first manicurists.

I can proudly say that I have perfected my art and in a good month I make between Sh20, 000 and Sh30, 000.

What are your future plans? And your advice to youth?

I want to go back to school to study film and music directing as I aspire to be a music and video producer. I also want to start my own beauty parlour in the near future.

I don’t cry over my past because, despite the challenges I faced, it shaped me into who I am today.

I would advise young people to be focussed on the goal that they are working towards, and not the obstacles they are facing. They should also know who to associate themselves with and find mentors who will nurture them. Everyone is an architect of their own future.