JUNE 2021 Issue: No. 245
Since 2000
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IVLYN MUTUA
Pb: Introduce Yourself IM: Ivlyn Mutua is my name, aka #IvlynArunIt. A vocalist, a performer, and an all round powerhouse. I come from Machakos town, about to take over the world with my great sound. Pb: How Did You Get Into Music? IM: I was born in a musical family, where my parents, especially my mum, had been singing actively since her early days. My dad being a Pastor, I sang a lot in church by default growing up. So after high school, I joined Kenyatta University- Main Campus, studying Bachelor of Arts in Music. My elder brother, Dafari Daf also ended up being a Music Producer and a Gospel Reggae and Dancehall artist. Pb: How Would You Describe Your Music? IM: My music is bubbly, fun, and inspirational. I always like to pass a positive message to society, even through the fun. My strength is in Afro Dancehall and Reggae but I’m quite versatile as well. Pb: How would you describe the process of the journey you took so far? And what lessons has it taught you? IM: Wow! I am a strong believer of authenticity in everything I do. So, I’d describe my journey of switching from singing gospel music to contemporary or what others call secular, life-changing. I got to a place where I was no longer growing as an artist, I had gotten too comfortable and everybody knows, comfort zones are like a death sentence. Because, the most dangerous thing for an artist is getting comfortable, losing the adrenaline that comes with pouring your heart into the music, being real no matter what people might think or say. I boldly had to step out and follow my childhood dream of performing on the global mainstream stage. Starting off in church is actually the best foundation every musician could have, and now I’m just ready to fly over the rainbow and represent my country on the international platforms. Through this process, I have learned a million lessons but I’ll just highlight two. First, believe in yourself and trust your gut. Second, authentic music connects more to people
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than the lies we use perhaps to pay bills or whatever. Music is a healer so as an artist, once you’re in tune with your real self and you just put that into the music, everybody connects deeply. Pb: It’s Been A Couple Of Hard Weeks Due To Covid-19 How Have You Been Keeping Busy? IM: To be honest I am actually not enjoying the lockdown because of my extroverted personality. lol, but it’s actually been therapeutic to just sit at home and create, create and create some more. I’ve been writing so much of late, getting beats online and just writing as much as I can. I’ve also been interacting with my fans some more through the social media platforms. Lastly I’ve been praying and reflecting a lot in relation to what the future holds. Pb: Do you have any upcoming projects before the end of the year? IM: Yes! #IvlynArunIt is always up to something new. I have some singles lined up for the year, I’m talking about big collaborations and also I’ll be dropping my second studio album in November this year. This time I’m diving deep into my strength which is Afro Dancehall and Reggae. Watch this space! Pb: Any words of encouragement to those who look up to you? IM: Hold on fam, keep your head up. I know it’s so tough right now, uncertainty isn’t something anyone wants to deal with but together we can conquer and achieve anything we put our minds to. God is not unjust, he loves you and me more than anything so trust me when I tell you He is working everything out for our good. Be your brother/sisters keeper and share with the less privileged. We shall come out victorious. Pb: Any Last Words? IM: Let’s love one another. Unity is POWER! After all is said and done I have you, you have me. Let us let go off hatred, corruption, tribalism and let’s all root for each other. At the end of the day we are brothers and sisters, let’s lean on each other.
Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photo courtesy of Ivlyn Mutua
Asa Official @Asa_official @asa_music @asa_music
Aṣa Aṣa (Bukola Elemide) is a Nigerian French singer, songwriter, and recording artist. Her stage name “Aṣa” is pronounced “Asha” in Yoruba. Aṣa was born in Paris to Nigerian parents who were working and studying cinematography in France. Her family returned to live in Nigeria when she was two. Aṣa grew up in Lagos city, in the south-western part of Nigeria, and 18 years later, returned to Paris, where her life as an artist took off. Aṣa’s music influences grew over the years from the collection of great music her father had built up for his work as a cinematographer. These records featuring American, Nigerian and African soul classics, included musical greats such as Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, King Sunny Adé, Diana Ross, Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba... Asa went on to draw inspiration from them. In 2004 Aṣa met her manager and friend, Janet Nwose, who introduced her to Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo, who in turn became the producer of her first studio album Asa (Asha). Asa returned to France at the age of 20 to study at the IMFP school of Jazz music, where she was told by teachers that she should go ahead and become a recording artist because she was ready and needed no schooling. Back in Nigeria, her first single, “Eyé Adaba,” was beginning to get airplay. Aṣa soon signed to Naïve Records. Partnered with Cobhams, and with the new involvement of Christophe Dupouy and Benjamin Constant, she produced her first platinum selling self-titled album, Aṣa. The release of the album saw Aṣa charting radios across Europe, Asia and Africa and went on win the prestigious French Constantin Award in 2008, where she was voted best fresh talent of 10 singers or groups by a jury of 19 music-industry specialists in Paris. Her second album, Beautiful Imperfection in collaboration with a french composer Nicolas Mollard, was released on 25 October 2010, went platinum in 2011. The lead single from Beautiful Imperfection is titled “Be My Man” was released in late September 2010. Asa’s third studio album, Bed of Stone, was released in August 2014. The lead singles are “Dead Again”, “Eyo”, “Satan Be Gone” and “The One That Never Comes”. She went on a world tour from 2015 to 2017. Asa gave a beautiful performance at the 25th Edition of Koroga Festival, which was held on 30th March 2019 at Leisure Gardens, Mamba Village.
Pb Away from Deejaying, what else do you do?
Deejay Pskratch: A part from Deejay, I’m a teacher by profession Geography and Biology, a basketball coach,a biker and I love working out . Pb Did your Parents support you as you started out as a DJ?
Deejay Pskratch: When I started nobody supported me because it was regarded as a Profession for people who are not learned; The African mindset that is .My parents were really against it until that day I earned my first pay check after a show I did in campus then after that they started seeing me on Tv. That silenced them Pb How do you balance out work and your personal life?
Deejay Pskratch: Personal life and work this is how I do it. During the day whenever I get inside the school compound I tend to forget anything dealing with entertainment until 5.00pm .As I leave the school compound back to factory setting music on my mind lol! Pb What were your biggest Challenges when starting out and what are they now?
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Deejay Pskratch: It was very difficult to get shows, cdj players, negative criticism, being broke at the same time you need to maintain your image. Pb Any words of wisdom for all looking to be a Deejay? Deejay Pskratch: My challenges acted as a stepping stone for the future they mounded me to become the person I am today. Currently I have my own Cdj players, been getting gigs, I can’t really I say I have lots of money but at least not as before. I now know how to deal with criticism they will always be there whether you do good or bad .My image has changed a bit but above all I thank God. Pb Any last words
Pb:Introduce yourself
Deejay Pskratch: My name is Pascal Rota aka Dj Pskratch from Kisumu. Pb What are your Most Defining moments as a DJ
Deejay Pskratch: My defining moments in my deejaying career is when I was at a Club in Kisumu doing my work as usual, then Jalang’o wanted to know more about me because he liked my deejaying skills and song selection, then boom he told me and I quote “From today, whenever I’ll be having a show in Kisumu you will always be my personal deejay.” We exchanged contacts and that was it. Now I’m the official Luo Festival Deejay.
Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photo courtesy of DJ P Sckratch
Deejay Pskratch: It’s not easy as it may seem. Deejaying is a very expensive art, and addictive know why you getting into it, know your role and execute it well. Be very patient, humble ,pray, practice and always ask for help if you don’t know . Deejay Pskratch: I have the 1st ever Deejay Academy in Kisumu currently I have 5 students. SKRATCH &KUTS DEEJAY ACADEMY .To anybody aspiring to become a Deejay hit me up. I also sell my Merchandise the hoodies goes for 2500/- t shirts 1000/Deejay Pskratch: I am the brand ambassador for Safarilink air .
Since 2000
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