Mashada Blogs » June 13, 2009

I moved away from Kenya just as the Music Industry was at a turning point. I felt like I missed out on something big. The last few years of the 90's gave us talent that was unmatched in creativity, and continues to captivate audiences. A decade on, I am on a never ending quest to fill the void that was left by my departure.

Walter Lippmann, an award winning journalist, once said "It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf." Very few know this better than performing artists, and acquiring this wisdom takes time. Yet there are those who appear to possess it innately.

Nazizi is of this latter group.

I got the opportunity to speak with her about her career, and this is what she said:

The African Accent: You began composing songs from primary school days. Your first single, 'Ni sawa tu' debuted when you were only 16. Today, you are the most awarded Kenyan artist, and you have not broken 30 yet. Other than hard work, what else can you attribute to this success?

Nazizi: I think the success is mostly from the people. The way I see it, if the people don’t appreciate all your hard work and effort in the music industry then you don’t count. Focus is also really important coz, like most things, if you are in it for too long and you lose focus, you will not even be sure of what you are doing and why. For me I have to keep reminding myself that I am here for the African youth; to spread their message, to make them smile, to make them dance! Everything else comes second to that. I also give thanks to God for making it happen for me.

TAA: A Daily Nation article in 2003 states that when you began rapping, people did not take you seriously. They even called you a babi. You said that you had to be able to speak Sheng, so as to relate with young people. How important is Sheng for a music artist to gain street credibility in Kenya?

N: Sheng is as important now as it was back then. I think the people need to relate to something they know and understand. I also think it's easier to express some ideas when you are writing in Sheng than it is in English or Swahili. Today I think Sheng makes the music more interesting than the use of one language alone. I also think that I have managed to break more barriers by using Sheng in my music.

TAA: Necessary Noize came to be, in 2000. By 2004, the masses were singing along to the group's second album hits like 'Kenyan gal, Kenyan boy', and 'Bless my room'. In that year, you guys made a ragga fan out of everybody. Why did you pursue a reggae angle at a time when it seemed like everybody else was following the wildly popular hip-hop or genge sound?

N: Well, Necessary Noize has always been a group that doesn’t limit itself to one genre. At that time it felt like no one was representing Kenyan reggae. We weren’t sure if it was going to work but then, like all things, you have to take a risk. It was a good try. 'Bless my room' has gone on to influence some songs on my new album: African Youth. Reggae has the power to send strong messages and still get the people dancing. That song still gets the crowd rocking and I think its a good example for upcoming reggae artists in Kenya.

TAA: One of Necessary Noize's missions is to revolutionize the Kenyan music scene. How successful is this revolution?

N: I think we did revolutionize the music industry. Our first album in 2001 was the only local album that got all songs played on radio. The second was the first album to have four number 1 hits on radio. We set the standard for Kenyan music videos before other artist started shooting videos. We see artists like STL coming up coz we paved the way for young hip hop artists who wanted to rhyme in English. East African Bashment Crew is the first East African group to be successful, and I think the revolution still continues.

TAA: Which brings me to another Necessary Noize mission: To pave the way for other aspiring musicians and set the standards for them. You are arguably the biggest role model, especially for aspiring female MCs in Kenya. Do you feel sometimes like you have set the bar a little too high?

N: lol! I think the standards must be as high as possible in order for Kenya to get real musicians and not one hit wonders, you know? I truly feel like we did set the standards very high, but, in order to achieve greatness high standards are a must. Every year we should hear bigger and better music coming from Africa, only then we can get to be compared to international music and standards.

TAA: Increasingly, you are brushing shoulders with international artists: Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder, Akon, Julian 'Ju Ju' Marley. It's obvious that your music career is still gaining momentum. How did you manage to break the barriers in an industry where Kenyan artists are plagued with low album sales and little exposure?

N: I think the most important thing as an artist is to aim for the highest possible. I also think if you know that you are the best, then the world will definitely recognize you as the best. The rest will just fall into place. I never limited myself coz I knew first that, I’m a girl and I’ll have to work ten times harder than the guys. So I rapped when I had to, chanted reggae when I needed to, sang when it was necessary, and I just keep going. The barriers have no option but to let me through you know?

TAA: How have you managed to nurture your career, and still have time to attend high school, KDU College in Malaysia, and United States International University? Where do you get the time?

N: lol! The time must be created. 24 hrs in a day, and I had to use those hours well; had to sacrifice partying after shows, studied on the flights to and fro every time I had to travel, ... I really just had to up my game 100 notches up you know? I had to study extra hard and prove to the lecturers that I’m not just some musician but I’m a smart musician with a degree I deserve and all.
At the same time still had to please the fans; never said no to a show, even if I had an exam the next day. I just needed to be there for them as well. It was really hard but I did it and it proves anyone can if they put their mind to it.
I also got mad support from my family picking me from the airport, dropping me off at USIU, with no complaints; just love and understanding. That’s important too. The thing is, set a goal and achieve it no matter how hard it seems; that’s what I did and I loved both music and psychology equally so I gave it my all.

TAA: In 2007, Kenyan film director Wanuri Kahiu's short film, Ras Star, was loosely based on your life. Have you thought about acting roles, or anything else in the film industry? [You can watch the film here]

N: Me? No! I'm such a bad actor. I am shy on camera unless, I'm singing. I would love to write scripts though coz I've got many stories I'd like to tell. But acting ... I'll leave it to the professionals!

TAA: Do you still have a dream to be a pilot?

N: haha! The pilot thing faded away because of everything I've been involved in. Still, I think I fly as much as some pilots do, so I don’t feel like I'm missing out on that part of my dream!

TAA: Tell us a little about your first solo album released this year. Where can fans legitimately purchase your music?

N: The new album is titled AFRICAN YOUTH. It's got 14 tracks including 'Ni sawa tu' my first single. So far I've released 'Jump n Shout' and 'Jeshi' videos. The album is a mix of reggae and hip hop. I think it's balanced in that sense, but you all will have to listen and let me know. In Nairobi, you can buy the album from Numetro Nakumatt [now called Silverbird], and Uchumi Supermarket in Sarit Centre. I'm hoping this will be the next big thing for Nazizi.

[The African Accent will show the videos, once we have acquired them]

That concluded the insight into Nazizi, performing artist, female MC extraordinaire, entrepreneur, and role model. You can catch her on her Facebook fan page under ‘Nazizi’.

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