FEATURED ARTIST - NONINI KENYA
One of last year’s biggest new artistes was Nonini. His song ‘We Kamu’ topped charts and sparked controversy over its explicit lyrics.
p: What are you working on now?
Nonini: I am working on some singles that will be out this year. ‘Kuta Vitu’ will be the first. It’s in collaboration with a friend called Mahatma. ‘Kuta Vitu’ is a continuation of the story I started in ‘Manzi wa Nairobi’ and ‘We Kamu’. You see, in ‘Manzi wa Nairobi’, I meet this beautiful Nairobi girl and ask her to come to my house — that’s in the song ‘We Kamu’. And as soon as she does so, she realises that there are lots of ‘good things’ she’s been missing out on — that’s in ‘Kuta Vitu’. The rest is history.
P: Many parents complain that your music is a bad influence on the youth. What do you have to say about that?
N: I am only being honest about what happens among the youth. People who criticise me are just pretending that these things don’t happen.
I don’t practice what I sing, so they have no right to judge me. It’s purely for entertainment purposes. It’s up to parents to advise their children not to go astray, instead of using my songs as a scapegoat to apportion blame when it is obvious that they have failed.
P: There was some controversy surrounding ‘Manzi wa Nairobi’ when it was released. Tell us about that.
N: I released that song purely for its dance value. Then some people complained that it did not live up to the conventional definition of what a song should be. I was delighted in the controversy that song excited — it made me become daring in a way that none of my contemporaries was. I love it when people talk about my music — it means that they are listening.
The song’s video had people talking even more, because of some of its scenes. That video catapulted me to a higher level of entertainment.
P: Are the stories about you and Wahu getting together true?
N: (Smiles, pauses and then looks me directly in the eye)
There’s nothing going on between us. We are just friends. I don’t like to discuss anything based on rumours. And you know how rumours get started — by jealous fellows. All we did was pose for a picture with our arms around each other. It was a friendship thing. There’s nothing to speculate about. I think that sometimes the public, and the media, misconstrue things.
Frankly, I don’t care what people say or think. What matters is that I know myself best, and that those close to me know who I really am.
P: How do you feel about her, though?
N: No comment.
P: Do you have someone special in your life?
N: No, I’m a single guy. But I believe that there’s a time for everything. When the time comes I will have no choice but to follow the yearnings of my heart. But right now, my career comes first.
P: Are you the spoilt brat people say you are?
N: I’m a homeboy. I stay at home — mummy’s loyal boy.
P: What is the real Nonini like?
N: Like I said, I don’t practise what I sing. I just sing to entertain.
There was this time last year during a concert in Nairobi when some girls stripped and threw their panties onto the stage. I had to pick them up and give them back. It was so embarrassing. I would never encourage anyone to do that. I find that sort of behaviour despicable.
P: You say this year has been the most exiting of your life, why?
N: My releases became instant hits. I guess I am also delighted about the controversy that has gravitated around my music.
I love it when people talk about my music because it means that they are listening to it. To me it’s been the celebration of life.
P: Many artistes complain that they can never get their music on air unless they know someone. How did you get your music to be played on radio?
N: It was not easy. I spent time trying to meet the presenters and convince them to play my songs. Some did but KISS FM just ignored it. Even today, the situation hasn’t changed much so we shoot videos for TV.
P: You said a few months ago that the most embarrassing moment of your life would be the release of the ‘We Kamu’ video, why?
N: Yeah, because of some of the scenes in it. Like the part where a chick swallows a sausage after another, notwithstanding her full her mouth and without considering the damage this could cause.
P: Have you always been interested in music?
N: Music has been part of me since I was a pupil at Racecourse Primary School, and at Kawethei High School. US rappers LLCool J, Mos Def and Dead Prez were the source of my inspiration.
When I completed high school, I would spend my time writing songs. I even performed freestyle rap at the Florida 2000 discotheque’s jam sessions.
Initially, I never thought of taking music as a serious career. But I saw artistes riding on the crest of fame and yearned for the day my name would feature in music charts. Now I know that anything is possible as long as one has faith.
P: Has your hard work paid off?
N: Yes, but I have struggled to get here. I have learnt that to succeed in this career one needs a lot of patience and humility. Because of my hard work, I have earned enough money to support myself and launch the Nonini Wear project. I am still working on my fan base. I want even grand-mothers to be singing my songs.
P: What comprises the Nonini Wear?
N: Nonini Wear is a clothing line featuring T-shirts, caps, sweatshirts and jackets branded with my name. I am confident that it will grow into something big with time.
P: And the Mbwa Kali Project?
N: Mbwa Kali, launched on November 7 at the Carnivore, comprises seven artistes including me. The others are Prezzo, Jua Cali, Oloibon, Zulu Krew, Leone and SYD. We are planning to launch a hit in a few weeks’ time
P: How do you spend your time?
N: At the studio (Calif Records), where I help out with the production of my songs. In the evenings, I get together with mabeste wa mtaani (my buddies) at our usual base, Ngazini, in California estate. We talk about song ideas and how to improve the Nonini Wear concept. I also spend time with my mother and two sisters who have been very supportive.
P: Tell us your future plans as a musician.
N: I hope to venture into music as a full time career. I have just cleared college, IAT, where I took an ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence) course and studied web design. I hope to become an electronic designer in the near future.
P: What are your personal goals?
N: I want to be there for all those who have been supportive of my career. I also intend to open up a studio soon to boost upcoming artistes. Then I can help them get the recognition they deserve.
NEW ALBUM IN STORE NOW
WILL BE PERFORMING IN DALLAS THIS THANKSGIVING
