Young Smart

Pop Influenced

Pop InfluencedWhen did you first get into music? Please explain.

I first realized I have a passion for music at the age of 4, but got into it professionally at the age of 17 (in 2015) when I recorded my first single.

What genre of music do you perform and why?

I mainly perform pop influenced music meaning anything pop related, but I also perform music from other genres. I listen to a wide variety of music leading to diversity in my music especially in the Love album.

And why did you choose that style of music?

I chose pop as a result of the feeling of joy I got listening to the rich genre and how mainstream it can be which means my message gets to reach a broad audience.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

I started off in a church setting where I could sing and play instruments but as I got older and joined high school, I was introduced to hip hop music where I discovered the likes of Lil Wayne, Drake, Lacrae, BIGSEAN and the endless list of

talented artists. That is when I stopped looking at music as a hobby and really started working towards being an entertainer to hopefully one day be among that list of names and touch some souls if not all.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/songwriting?

As a kid I really didn’t have a ‘mentor’ so to speak or someone to challenge my writing, singing or rapping. Being brought up in a christian family, the best music I was exposed to was either local christian music or Don Moen (Great dude by the way). After the big reveal in high school, I was able to compare my writing to the new world I was discovering and in my second last year of high school, I was gracefully able to meet my first tangible mentor Mr Paul Kinyari who would go on to introduce me to more great people in the country who’ve held my hand to this day.

I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

I have been honored to have performed on the song, “Sombe” with Mr Benjamin Kabaseke, who is well known for his guitar skills in my Country Kenya and other parts of the world, I also shared a stage with Mr. Juliani a local celebrity in 2016 which was part of a rap battle.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

I think passion above all can be a good motivator because with the right amount, it can drive you for a lifetime without wavering.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

The fact that I don’t see a roadblock as far as music genres are involved. If I wake up and feel like rock and roll, then that’s what I’m doing. I also like pushing the limits on how music is perceived.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Lack of finances, as that can be a hindering factor for any form of art, business or idea in general. I have faced financial shortage since starting professionally, but I’m figuring a way to go around it. (Hopefully, I’ll let you know how I did it on the next interview).

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

I agree, I think suffering is part of winning, and yes I have had my share of suffering. I’ve had to work separate jobs to fund my dreams. I started working as a minor at sixteen and a half since my parents didn’t really believe in music as a career and I wanted my dreams to come true as soon as possible.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

Growing up, music was distributed in form of CDs or cassettes but now we have streaming sites that came in to change the way music is consumed and even more, changed the whole marketing game into a complex one resulting in cheaper distribution but also easier pirating.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

I could give easy access to unsigned artists. A lot has been said recently on record labels. I am not signed meaning I get to do all of the work independently. Through this process, I am learning slowly that almost everything in this industry is almost impossible to find without either a record label or a connection to someone in what you are looking for e.g a decent marketing firm, distribution or even publishing.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

FutureSex/LoveSounds by Justin Timberlake, 24K Magic by Bruno Mars, Lukas Graham by Lukas Graham, Kenny Rogers & The first Edition by Kenny Rogers, Family Dinner Vol. 1 by Snarky Puppy, go on the top of the list representing the wide variety I’ve been listening to recently, as I love the great skills in writing and instrumentation. These greatly inspire how I write and perform my songs.

Tell us about your current project.

My current project is ‘The Love Album’, which talks about the highs and lows of love and the dramas therein. We have five songs out already in most countries and a long undisclosed list of great music awaiting to be released by the end of 2021.

What is the best advice you have received?

First, Love all, trust none. Secondly, look at life as a building process and place every brick as perfectly as possible and in the end the results will be amazing -’Will Smith’

What’s next for you?

I am looking to have my merchandise that is greatly influenced by my music, selling to the whole world so as to spread the message of ‘Being Young and Smart’ greatly.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

Fans can reach me on my website, https://youngsmartmusic. com/ where they can check out my music, merchandise, social platform links and even learn more about me.