JULY 2020 Issue
No. 234 PHAT!buzz™ is distributed FREE to cafes, cinemas, clubs & pubs in Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru. PHAT!buzz™ is now in its 18th year of telling you Wazup! To advertise, call: +254 20 238 6060 or E-mail: phatbuzz@phatafrica.com or check out our Website: www.phatbuzz.com © 2019 PHAT! Music & Entertainment Limited. All Rights Reserved.
KAPLOTI MWENYEWE Kaploti mwenyewe @KaplotiMwenyewe @kaplotimwenyewe Kaploti mwenyewe
PB: PLEASE, INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
KM: My Names is Kasyula John. A Musician, Urban Poet & a Motivational speaker under the “Mfungwa Ni Binadamu Initiative” that deals with rehabilitation of former prisoners & integrating them into the society and also mentoring teenagers in schools, so they do not get into crime. The initiative is run by King Kafu, who is also a former prisoner and me. PB: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC?
KM: Spoken Word. I would describe it as feel good music, art that is fused with our local dialects that caters to both the local and international market.. PB: YOUR SONGS SPEAK ABOUT YOUR TIME IN PRISON, TELL US ABOUT IT.
KM: I was in Kamiti Maximum Prison for five years accused of robbery and murder charge that happened at Soweto, Kayole but thank God I was acquitted under section 210 of the Penal Code for lack of enough sufficient evidence. After the acquittal, the society did not accept me as I had expected, and music was my solace. PB: HOW HAS LIFE CHANGED SINCE YOU LEFT PRISON AND STARTED MAKING MUSIC?
KM: Through Music I have been to places I never imagined I will ever visit. It has taken me to Tanzania ,Uganda and Somalia. I also am a leader in the society and my opinion matters, younglings who look up to me and even been to state house on several Occasions. PB: WHAT LIFE LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNT THROUGH YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY?
KM: The Music industry is a Marathon. I have also learnt to be respectable to all and to always be humble because you may be a star and tomorrow is not promised.
PB: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE PEOPLE WHO LOOK UP TO YOU ?
KM: Always follow your dreams and surround yourselves with positivity. Also, crime does not pay but hard work does and remember to put God first. PB:TELL US ABOUT YOUR CSR ACTIVITIES AND HOW CAN PEOPLE BE PART OF IT?
KM:Through the Mfungwa ni Binadamu Initiative, we visit prisons and schools with my friend, King Kafu and give motivational talks and also speak about our experiences in prisons cautioning young people against getting into crime. We also visit prisons on a monthly basis to give some encouragement to prisoners and hand out basic necessities that include bar soaps, tissues, blankets, and sanitary towels. If you would like to be part of this initiative, you could reach out to King Kafu and I through our social media handles. PB:IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING FEW MONTHS WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, HOW HAS IT BEEN FOR YOU? WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING TO KEEP BUSY?
KM: During this period, I have been in the studio recording new music. I also have been recording a segment called ‘Untold Stories za Kaploti’ where I get to talk about my music videos and life experiences as an artist. You can check them out on my YouTube Channel. PB:ANYTHING NEW YOU ARE WORKING ON?
KM: I have a new Jam called Syanda featuring Makadem and a New Music Video of a New Spoken word called Kenyan Toto PB:ANY LAST WORDS?
KM: As Kaploti, I am always thankful to anyone who has played a part in my musical Journey and to mention but a few: Jesse Bukindu, Steve Kipande, Samora Gkv Mwamba, DJ Millionea, Bonge Mzito and Mike Strano.
Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photo courtesy of Kaploti mwenyewe
J
ohn Amutabi Nzenze was born in 1940 in Muthurwa. He started playing with his father’s guitar at the age of 12, but after learning how much time he spent playing it, his father sold the guitar. After Completing his High School, he worked at the Prestigious Norfolk Hotel and is when he met and teamed up with the Legendary Daudi Kabaka. The worked on three songs: Masista, Bachelor Boy and Nyumba za Tobacco. These songs were released by Jambo Records and became hits. In 1968 he represented Kenya at All African Music Festival in Algeria, finishing third. As a result, President Jomo Kenyatta feted him and his Air Fiesta Matata Band, and Emperor
Haile Selassie invited him to perform in Ethiopia. The next year, the band performed with Miles Davis in Germany, who was impressed with the band and arranged for them a tour of America. In 1971, BBC World Service gave them a Best Band in Africa Award. In 1972, Nzenze left his group and went to perform regularly to tourists at the Panafric Hotel. and later played at tourist ships. As of 2009, he had performed at the Westlife Club in Kakamega, and was still making music at the time of his death.He has also served as a board member of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya. In 2009 he was among four pioneering Kenyan showbiz people given Head of State Commendation awards by President Mwai Kibaki. Others were John Katana (Band Leader Them Mushrooms), David Ndung’u and Conrad Karukenya (aka Tiger Power). Nzenze died on May 30, 2020, a month after undergoing stomach surgery.
PB: INTRODUCE YOURSELF
Deejay EuniQe: My name is Eunice Waweru. My stage name is: DJ EuniQe, a Single mother of Two (Twins), friendly and outgoing person and passionate about Music. PB: WHAT ARE YOUR MOST DEFINING MOMENTS AS A DJ
Deejay EuniQe: I have a few. One moment was way back in 2010, when I was the main DJ at a street bash held by Bassline Entertainment. It was an epic experience ; I had never had the opportunity to DJ for such a large crowd. Another was in 2011, when I got featured on the Sakata Dance Show, alongside, DJ Creme De La Creme and DJ Crossfade thanks to: Tony Mboya and Mr. Prime. PB: AWAY FROM DEEJAYING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO?
Deejay EuniQe: I am a Businesswoman. I can go from selling eggs and rice supplies to baking. My children love cakes, so I enrolled for a pastry class and I ended up making a business out of it in partnership with my cousin, Jeanette. You can follow us on: INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK: JEANIQE CAKES & DESSERTS. PB: DID YOUR PARENTS SUPPORT YOU AS YOU STARTED OUT AS A DJ?
Deejay EuniQe: My Mother is my greatest supporter and Number one Fan. She has been supportive and still is. My Dad was hesitant at the start, but eventually he came around. PB: HOW DO YOU BALANCE OUT WORK AND YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?
Deejay EuniQe: I have set out boundaries and work hours, it helps me create time for myself and family. PB: WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES WHEN STARTING OUT AND WHAT ARE THEY NOW?
Deejay EuniQe: When I started out, Deejaying was a male dominated field but it has evolved over the years. PB: ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR ALL LOOKING TO BE A DEEJAY?
Deejay EuniQe: Current challenge is that the industry has become very competitive with the new upcoming Deejays, so I have to keep on stepping up my skills
PB: ANY LAST WORDS ( ANYTHING YOU WOULD WANT TO SHARE)
Deejay EuniQe: Opportunities do not just happen, you create them. I believe that there’s a market for everyone so GO FOR IT!!!
Deejay EuniQe
@djEuniQe
@djEuniQe91
Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photo courtesy of DJ EuniQe