FEMI ONE

‘So many African women rappers want to be Nicki Minaj… I want to be original and stand out’

Femi One’s musical journey has taken her from a schoolgirl growing up in Nairobi’s Mwiki neighbourhood with a talent for battle rapping to the first signing for record label Kaka Empire and her current position as the leading woman rapper in East Africa. Her 2019 single ‘Utawezana’ become a viral sensation and this year she built on that success with the release of her debut album, ‘Greatness’, which showcases a versatile artist willing to switch up her musical style as often as she does her striking dyed hair. Here the 27-year-old rapper, born Wanjiku Kimani, chats with Paa about sexism in the music industry, why she raps in streetwise ‘sheng’ and the Kenyan capital’s thriving music scene.

‘Greatness’ is your first full album. Across its 14 tracks, there are elements of gospel, dancehall, r ‘n’b and Afrobeats as well as the hip-hop you are known for. Is the album format an opportunity to show people the range of what you can do?

The album was for me to show people how much I have grown as an artist. I came into the scene as a cipher artist [rapping improvised on-the-spot lyrics] and a rap battle artist [a head-to-head contest in which each rapper brags about themselves and insults their opponent]. I evolved into someone who makes relatable hit songs. I am very diverse, and I try to show it on ‘Greatness’.

The album is a showcase of East African talent. Was that deliberate? Why did you pick those artists?

‘Utawezana’ did very well across East Africa, and I saw an opportunity to cement my name [in the region] by featuring artists from those countries. But also, I am a huge fan of those artists – Jay Rox from Zambia, B2C from Uganda, Joh Makini from Tanzania and Sainapei [Tande] from Kenya.

I believe there is a documentary about you that has been released to coincide with the launch of the album. The film returns to your roots in the Mwiki neighbourhood of Nairobi. How important was that time in shaping you and your music?

The documentary is shot but we have not released it yet. The documentary shows different stages of Femi One. I started showcasing my talent at an event called WAP (Words and Pictures) where we could go and rap. In the film we visit the venue and meet the owner. My mum is also featured. She has been very supportive. Kaka Empire is there too. It shows how I got started and have got my breakthrough. The doc will be out soon and I really hope it will inspire people.

I heard you were rapping from primary school. Why was it hip-hop music that first appealed to you and what were you rapping about as a pupil?

My oldest brother used to play a lot of reggae and hip-hop. At that time the hip-hop scene was big and I loved to sing along. I had a friend called Samantha whose friends were in a group and she introduced me to them. I joined the group and we performed at WAP. There was a lot of important people watching. King Kaka [Kenyan rapper and CEO of record label Kaka Empire] was there and they could all see that this bunch of kids could rap really well.

Your record label Kaka Empire signed you up as soon as you left high school. What made you stand out, do you think?

I had just cleared high school and King Kaka contacted me via Facebook and said he had a remix of his song ‘Ligi Soo’. It came out really well and he was very happy with it.

Do you come from a musical family?

No, I wouldn’t say that I do, but my mum used to sing in church. My brother was a big influence because he used to rap and play a lot of music in the house.

Your raps are known to be witty and imaginative. Does rapping in sheng – the urban slang that mixes Swahili, English and other Kenyan languages – give you freedom to be playful with your lyrics?

Sheng gives me the freedom to express myself. It’s really who I am. It makes me stand out. Women rappers from Tanzania and Uganda all want to be and sound like [US rappers] Nicki Minaj or Cardi B. I want to be original and stand out. I’ve always been myself. Sheng is me being me.

The music industry is male dominated and women have to work 10 times as hard to be noticed, especially if you are a rapper because people expect women to be soft

Your recent videos for tracks ‘Balance’ and ‘Donjo’ feature a very cool group of dancers. Is it important for you to spread the word on other local talent in what you do?

Those two tracks are a mix of ragga and hip-hop. I love the dancing scene in Nairobi and love incorporating Nairobi talent into what I do.

What do you think about the health of the Kenyan music scene at the moment?

It’s thriving. We are doing quality audio and video, releasing project after project. I am very aware of the emerging artists on the scene and there is a lot of women, which I think is a good thing. The record companies and media are believing more in women artists and supporting them.

You always look amazing. A very identifiable part of your look is your hair, which you dye all kinds of colours. When did you start dyeing your hair?

I wanted a different identity. I think it was in 2018 or 2019. I needed to stand out. Everyone was doing the braids so I thought let me try dyeing my hair. I am very experimental with my image and like to try new things. I have one of the best images in the music industry in East Africa. I feel the colours represent my personality because I am a very bubbly and colourful person.

Brian Mwanda

Is there a big difference between the Wanjiku Kimani at home and the Femi One who raps and performs? Is Femi One a character or the real you?

There’s a huge difference! I meet people [when I’m not performing] and they don’t believe it’s me because I’m very laid back. I’m not what people see in the music videos. However, Femi One is not a character. It is a combination of my character, ego and my thoughts.

What was your take on the ‘Utawezana challenge’ viral sensation that took over your single with fellow Kenyan rapper Mejja during lockdown last year? Was it strange to have your song take on a new life?

I wasn’t really sure about releasing the single during the coronavirus pandemic. People were panicking and we didn’t know when things would be back to normal. My manager pushed me to release it. I asked people to do the challenge [post a short video of themselves miming and dance along to the song] and it blew up. I always feel like this song is a reward for me because I’ve really put in the work. I was very grateful. It was really a sign from God. Me and my team were very proud. ‘Utawezana’ will always be a song with a very special place in my heart.

You were recently announced as the brand ambassador for Monster Energy, becoming the first African woman artist to be appointed to such a position? Was this a proud moment for you?

That was a huge deal. It was a proud moment for me and my team.

Have there been obstacles in your career as a woman in the rap music business? Do you feel the level of success you have achieved now is an inspiration to other young girls with dreams of pursuing their passion?

Obstacles have been there and they are still there. The music industry is male-dominated and women have to work 10 times as hard to be noticed, especially if you are a rapper because people expect women to be soft. But with hard work and consistency it can be done – as I have proved. Class is also an issue. Because I’m from the hood and rap in sheng, people have undermined and belittle me, but I kept pushing and here I am doing great things. I am the female rapper with the most YouTube subscribers in East Africa, I’m being endorsed. I am showing women that you can be yourself and be great. I hope my musical journey keeps inspiring young girls. Keep pushing!

'Greatness' by Femi One is available to buy and download on all major music streaming services.