JULY 2021
Issue: No. 246
Since 2000
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IAN WAINAINA Pb: Introduce yourself IW: I am Ian Wainaina. A choreographer, Dancer, Musician, Fitness enthusiast. I Love my family, arts and food. Pb: You have been missing from the limelight for a while now, what have you been upto? IW: Since Sakata Dance Battle, I have been into fitness. Began training for marathons and running is now a lifestyle. I still teach dance and fitness classes but also learnt how to swim and became a certified lifeguard. Pb: You have made a come back into Music, why the chance of heart? IW: I made a comeback to music last year after ten years of silence. I would get random people asking me to sing another ‘Sura Ya Malaika’ every other day. The main reason why I was away for so long was due to procrastination; being ‘busy’ and jumped on to what came easy to me, which was dance. Music was tough then and had too many hurdles to go over. Now I am following through on all the things that bring happiness to me. Pb: Tell us more about your latest releases ‘Mrembo’, ‘Soso” and “Okay” IW: They are songs inspired by events that have happened in my
Ian Wainaina
@Ian_nine9
life at one point or another. Those events inspired the writing, composing and melodies in the songs. Pb: How would you describe your style of music? IW: I describe my style of music as Afro Fusion. There are elements of Kapuka, Zouk and Latin influences. Music that I enjoy listening to, Mellow Groovy Vibes. Pb: What are your greatest challenges you have faced as a Musician and an Award-winning dancer and choreographer IW: It has been difficult to push my music because of trends of the time, access to mainstream media and DJ’s. It is all good now. The platforms now are many and now it is up to me to put it out there. Pb: How has COVID-19 affected you as an artist and how have you been keeping busy? IW: COVID-19 has restricted movement and social distance has made it hard to teach dance, fitness, swimming or perform Live. On the flip side because of it, I’ve immersed myself in music and working on finishing the old projects plus creating new ones. Pb: Any last words? IW: Life is indeed short. Spend time well and follow through on what is important. This is it!! Go for it!!
@ianwainaina
Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photo courtesy of Ian Wainaina
Nine9
Sandra Nankoma is a Ugandan singer, songwriter, poet and actress from Kampala, Uganda.
She sings jazz and soul with a distinctive identity and tune. Sandra started to sing at a tender age. She joined
the Fellowship choir at her new school, where she quickly became one of the leaders of the scripture Union choir,
for 2 years. Her biggest influences are the 1960s and 1990s soul music legends like Farida Sonko, Miriam Makeba, Anita Baker, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu.
She is an alumnus of Uganda Christian University Mukono
where she got a Bachelor’s degree in industrial Fine Art and Design with a major in sculpture.
She began her music career in 2014. That same year she performed at Bayimba International Festival of
the Arts. She has performed at the 2014 World Music
Day alongside notable artists such as Suzan Kerunen, Jackie Akello, Maurice Kirya, Sylvester and Abramz and Myko Ouma.
She has also shared the stage with Geofrey Oryema at
SANDRA
NANKOMA
the inaugural Bayimba Honours, Grammy Award winner Skyler Jett (US), Soleil Laurent and Quantum Split (US), Kareyce Fotso (Cameroon), Joey Blake (US), and One People Band (SA) at Rwanda’s premiere music festival Kigali Up in 2016.
A winner of the 2017 Visa pour la creation Award,
Nankoma has also performed at the La Cite Des Arts International Paris in Concert.
In 2018, Nankoma was double nominated in the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA for “Best Female Artiste
in African Inspirational Music” and “Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa” for her song “Kaddugala.” The anthem for dark skinned girls to love their skin tone and reject skin bleaching took home the continental award for “Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music.”
Apart from music, Nankoma also creates works in other mediums such as theatre and photography. She has
used her photography skills to address issues related to skin color discrimination at an exhibition dubbed ‘Melanin Kaddugala’.
Sandra Nankoma
@SandraNankoma
sandra_nankoma
Sandra Nankoma
DJ BLAZE UP
MY REAL NAME IS: Boniface muhoro I GOT MY STAGE NAME FROM: A former high school friend I STUDIED AT: Melody house -information centre I USUALLY PLAY:. i can play a number of genres ranging from local music,trap,reggae,gospels,afrobeats and edm music I GOT INTO DEEJAYING: In 2016 IT’S BEEN : 3 years MY MAJOR CHALLENGE WHEN STARTING OUT: My age.i was 18 years and few clients believed i was in a position to dj for a mature crowd but time has proven them wrong MY MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT: Deejaying in the same event with dj kace and octopizzo IF I WASN’T A DEEJAY I’D BE: A quantity surveyor
DEEJAY BLAZEUP
@DJ_BLAZE_UP
@Djblazeup254
DEEJAY BLAZE UP
Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photo courtesy of DJ Blaze Up
Since 2000
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