8 minute read
Role model rappers - Weusi
‘We are all talented but when we come together it multiplies a thousand times’
It’s been six years since Arusha-born hip-hop collective Weusi released an album, but Joh Makini, G-Nako, Lord Eyes and Nikki wa Pili are back with ‘Air Weusi’. The new music adds some afro pop and bongo flava elements and the band members themselves have been through changes. All are now fathers, have learned valuable life lessons and are well aware of their responsibility as role models to their followers. Here the band discuss the recording of the new album, why Arusha is such a hotbed of hip-hop and why they are on course to being the biggest band in Africa.
Were you all childhood friends? How did you first get together as a group?
A: We were friends even before Weusi. We grew up in close neighbourhoods in Arusha. Lord Eyes grew up in Kaloleni Soweto and Joh Makini and Nikki grew in Sinoni Daraja Mbili in Arusha’s city centre. G Nako grew up in Makao Mapya, which is also close by. Arusha is a small city. We used to meet in at school parties, football games, hip-hop competitions, also known as ‘school bashes’, that turned into concerts. These are the platforms that built us into the best hip-hop group in East Africa with dreams to be the best in Africa.
When you started was there a kind of strength to be had from being in a group?
A: It was not difficult for us to create Weusi because as solo artists we were already mainstream artists and friends. We got together to create a company not an official hip-hop group or band. It wasn’t difficult to start because everyone was shining before and we believe in supporting each other as a family. Our strength starts individually because we are all talented as individuals first and foremost, so when we come together it multiples a thousand times and we complement each other’s roles and style of rapping.
You are all from Arusha. It’s a city that is renowned for its hip-hop scene. Why do you think hip-hop is so popular there and who were some of the acts and songs that inspired you growing up?
A: Hip-hop is part of our lifestyle in Arusha. Since our parent’s generation Arusha has always embraced western music, specifically from America. Our parents’ generation listened to funky hip-hop, reggae, blues and a little bit of dance. The repeated interaction with the western world music scene was always received first in Arusha and then spread to the rest of the cities in Tanzania months later. In fact X Plastaz – the first hip-hop group in Tanzania to do a show in Europe – were from Arusha, so we embraced that culture and we aspired to share our music to that world since back then. Growing up, American artists like Nas, Method Man, Jay-Z, Onyx, Das Efex and EPMD really inspired us. We also admired Tanzanian artists like Mr.2, Sale Jabir, Hard Plasters, Kwanza Unit and Chong Pong Clan. They made us believe that the dream is possible. Back then, hearing and seeing someone rap in Kiswahili was a unique experience.
You’ve all also had success as solo artists. Why did it feel like the right time to get the band back together now for this new album?
A: Our fans have been asking us over the years when will we release our next album, well here it is! The hip-hop scene in Tanzania and East Africa in general depends on Weusi to keep the genre alive. We are very excited about this album; we have put in a lot of time and resources to make sure this album is excellent!
It’s six years since the last Weusi album. How has your music changed?
A: Our music has changed because we have changed. The fans that listened to us six years ago are parents now, there is a new youthful generation that loves hiphop and so as the times change, we have to reinvent ourselves. Our album speaks of existing real-life stories and events in our societies, because we have all matured, we believe that our music has matured along with us. Our fans should expect new sounds, new flows, new bars, everything is new in the album. It is a new level that we are introducing to the industry to teach and show others in the industry how they too should reinvent themselves.
You are also different people now. You’re all fathers, living in Dar and now role models for young people. What are some of the most important lessons you have learned you want to share?
A: Joh Makini – The lifestyle I live is how my heart wants to live. What you see is what you get, I don’t live to please others because I know it is not good for my mental health. Being a father has taught me a lot of things, there’s certain things I cannot do anymore, or I cannot write in my lyrics anymore because I know my children will listen to my music now. I want to be able to sit in the living room and listen to my music with my family.
Another lesson to the youth is that they need to be serious when it comes to pursing their dreams, you have to stay focused on your dream and commit fully to it.
Lord Eyes – I feel great being a father and the responsibilities that come along with being a father. There is nothing more important to me than love. Love is what makes life beautiful.
My advice to the youth is to learn how to listen to your elders – your father, mother, leaders of our country, religious leaders. If you want success learn how to listen. Growing up I failed to listen and as a result I fell into bad company and became a drug addict for seven years. While I may regret my actions, I will not allow them to define me, my music or Weusi. It is my past, I am no longer the old Lord Eyes people might have known, I am a new and improved version of myself with bigger dreams and aspirations in life than ever before.
Nikki wa Pili – The youth nowadays can get mislead by what they see on TV and social media. They want to emulate the western rap culture often associated with drugs, alcohol and gangs. They take on these habits so that they can fit in, I advise the youth to not try to fit in, they should be themselves and avoid these habits completely. This is what I have done, I don’t drink, smoke or use any drugs. I have remained true to myself.
It is also these pressures and comparisons that trigger mental health issues among youths. This is why Smart Generation – our non-profit organisation – and the Peter’s Daughter Initiative have come together to create programmes to address mental health in adolescents and preteens in Tanzania. We want to encourage youth to speak up, researchand learn more about this subject andlearn how to develop coping mechanismsin their daily lives.
G Nako – I planned to become afather. I have two children. You have tomake sure that your life is in order beforeyou bring another human being into theworld.
A lot of youth look at other people todetermine the futures they want, I havealways looked at myself and I stronglybelieve that I have reached the level Ihave reached because of this and how Ilive my life.
What is the significance of the album’stitle, ‘Air Weusi’.
A: Air Weusi to us is a journey, we areinviting our fans to join and experiencethe Weusi lifestyle. To us this album is ourlegacy.
The album consists of different sounds,from original bongo hip hop, to bongopop, afro pop, hip hop, corporate rap,club bangers, conscious music withsubliminal.
Why did you agree to be filmed for adocumentary, called ‘Content’, tocoincide with the release of thealbum?
A: We want people to experience howwe create our music by showing thecreative journey, process and commitmentit takes to develop an album. Welived under one roof during the productionprocess so that we could focus onour creative process. ‘Content’ will showwhat really happens behind closed doorsand will be debuted soon on TV and oursocial media platforms.
Can you tell me about the recording ofthe new album?
A: A large sum of the production of thealbum was done within one month butthe thinking and build up has taken twoyears because we have a lot of music andwe needed time to pick and select thebest songs.
‘Nahreel, Lufa, Goncha, Ammy Waves,S2Kizzy and Dave Macords are the keyproducers and the mix and masteringwas done by Chizan brain at Wanenestudio, in Dar es Salaam.
Once the Covid-19 outbreak dies downdo you see some Weusi live concertscoming?
A: Yes absolutely! We plan on doing acountrywide tour first and then EastAfrica and Africa as well as Europe, Asiaand North America. We want to take ouralbum to the world!
Meet Weusi
JOH MAKINI
Joh – born John Simon – has been an entertainment industry entrepreneur for more than 15 years. He lives and breathes hip-hop and is keen to emulate his heroes Dr Dre and Jay-Z and build a music empire.
G NAKOG
Nako – born George Mdemu – is a rapper and producer. The father-of-two is also a fashion entrepreneur with his own label Never Regular.
LORD EYES
Rapper and producer Lord Eyes – born Isaack Maputo – started out as the lead singer of legendary hip-hop group Nako to Nako. He is a drug and addiction activist who uses his story to help emancipate others.
NIKKI WA PILI
Nikki – born Nickson Simon – is Joh’s brother and is an acclaimed lyricist and political activist. He dreams of becoming the president of the United Republic of Tanzania.
