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• The Nairobian
• Mon Apr 21 2025

Zum C [Courtesy]

How has your music journey been?

The journey has been a real roller-coaster, full of ups and downs that made me question everything. I started off with freestyle sessions with my boys in the estate. From there, I began writing my own songs, hitting random studios in town, and posting snippets online. It has been pure grind, passion, and faith since day one.

How long have you been doing music, and what lessons have you learnt so far?

Officially, I?ve been doing music for about five years now, but if you count the days of writing lyrics at the back of exercise books in high school, it?s been way longer. I have learnt to trust the process and never comparing your journey to someone else?s.

What kind of music do you do?

Fusion of Afro-pop, old school Kenyan vibes, and a bit of soul. I like to keep it real and relatable.

What does your creative process entail?

It usually starts with a beat, then I build a concept around that feeling. I draw a lot of inspiration from everyday life, conversations with friends, or even things I see on the streets. Sometimes I write the lyrics on paper, other times I just vibe in the booth and let it flow. I also love late-night studio sessions that?s when the magic happens.

Who do you regard as your icon?

Internationally, I look up to Burna Boy. Locally, I really respect artistes like Sauti Sol, Nyashinski, and Nameless, each for different reasons. Sauti Sol for their consistency and global vision, Nyash for his lyrical depth, and Nameless for keeping it raw and authentic. I think Nameless is best artiste we have produced in the last two decades. His stage presence is unrivalled and his songs are timeless classics.

How do you deal with challenges and criticism in the industry?

I?ve learned to develop a thick skin. Not everyone will ?vibe? with your art, and that?s okay. I try to take in constructive criticism and grow from it, but I also stay grounded by surrounding myself with real ones: my team, my family, and my day ones. They keep me focused and humble.

What?s your take on the Kenyan music industry right now?

I honestly feel like we?re in a creative renaissance. There?s so much talent out here, producers, videographers, stylists, and artistes all putting in work. What we need now is more support from the media, better structures, and for us as artistes to unite more. Kenyan music is global-ready; we just need to believe in our own and push together. At the same time, if you study the industry well, you will see an oscillating pattern, whereby we have some subgenres with short shelf lives.

Any upcoming projects we should watch out for?

For sure! I?m working on an EP called ?Mtaa Dreams? that will be released mid this year. the EP is a mix of bangers and conscious tracks. I?ve also got some collaborations with both local and East African artists, plus a few visuals dropping soon.

What do you do away from music?

I am a business men dealing with beef products. From steaks, Oxtails to skins. I have been operating from Burma market and recently I went digital where I have a virtual butchery and do home deliveries.

Any advice for upcoming artistes trying to break through?

Stay true to your sound, don?t rush the process, and invest in your craft. Also, be patient and strategic ? clout fades but consistency builds legacy. One should not wait for validation but rather, start where you are with what you have.