Khaligraph exclusive interview

Story By Wanjiku Thuku Give me a brief history of how you started off as an artist including the church group you formed at some point?

I come from a musical family, my big brother introduced me to music at a tender age, I recorded my 1st single at the age of 15 in 2005, I started off as a gospel artist and had formed a group with Hopkid but we later took different paths with our music and we are both doing quite well I can say.

Was music always your number one passion or what other career path would you rather have taken and why?

I believe the main reason I was brought into this World is to Represent Music , of course I have ventured into other fields of businesses right now but it's all courtesy of music so basically I can say that to me music has been a platform of displaying every other form of strength I have Where and how did you acquire the name 'Khaligraph'?What does it mean?

Khaligraph is just a cool name that I really liked and decided to pick it up as my stage name, it doesn't have a deep solid meaning, Jones on the other hand is a name I picked up from my old man, The late Mr.Lawrence Jones Omollo How old are you and what is your real name?

My real name is Brian Robert Ouko and am 24 years old, I was born in 1990.

Which other rapping competitions were you ever in apart from Channel O EMCEE AFRICA and Nokia Dont Break The Beat?

I never Participated in Nokia don't break the Beat cause it came at a time when I had already started Establishing myself as an artist so I didn't feel it was necessary to compete with upcoming artists who really wanted that chance more than I did but I won The Channel O Emcee Africa Challenge in 2009, I believe that there hasn't been a more prominent stage than that as far as African Rap Competitions go.

Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

I have have established a foundation that seeks to improve the lives of the less fortunate in the community, I feel like God has blessed me enough for me to start Giving back to the People so I believe five years from now the Outreach will be all over Africa since I always view The African continent as one Big family.Musically, I pray that God would have put me in a position whereby I am able to represent Kenyan Music on the international platform, am not Just talking about getting AirPlay on MTV,BET , TRACE since that is already happening for some Of us Artists in the current industry but am talking of Real recognition whereby if I guy like Jay z or the Songstress Mary J Blige sees my music on Tv, they Be like " Damn that's Khaligraph Jones from Kenya, I wish he could just give me that opportunity to work with him" you feel me?

How did you end up being a part of the 'Biashara Remix' with STL and Kristoff plus making a deep yet huge impact on the 'We Be Happening Remix' featuring various artists from around Kenya?

STL called me and told me she wanted me to be on The remix, my management agreed to it since we all liked the original version. We be happening Remix on the other hand is something else, I personally didn't think I could get all those big names in the studio at once but I figured they knew the effort and hardworking I put into it so everyone I contacted to be on it was extremely interested hence the success.

What challenges do hiphop artists face in this country and why is it so hard for some of them to remain relevant ten or more years down the line with no albums or proper backing in the music industry?

Most Hip Hop artists lack proper management this is as a result of the bad perception that A lot of Kenyans have of HipHop, they Think Hip Hop Artists are irresponsible and so does the Big Brands and Companies but recently things have changed for the better.Remaining relevant in the industry requires discipline and Hardwork, I guess when you feel like the industry isn't giving you what you want you just fall off and that's probably the case but like I said things right now have quite changed for the better.

I hear you grew up in Kayole.How did that affect or impact your current lifestyle?

I was Born and raised in Kayole so courtesy of Kayole I am doing this interview with you today so you can just imagine the impact the place has and will still have in my life, I thank God for my Humble

beginnings.

According to a certain blog and in general,you have been placed as one of the top ten rappers in Kenya.How does that make you feel?

My Hardwork is being acknowledged at least and I Thank God for that.

Apparently you have the most downloaded songs on mdundo.com.How does that make you feel?Are you endorsed by any specific companies be it drinks,clothing lines and so on?

I feel honored and am greatful to my fans for putting me on the top spot, different companies have showed interest of endorsing but at the moment we are still into talks, Where exactly did your beef with Octopizzo culminate from and how did you squash the whole issue?

You even went ahead to do a diss track directed to him 'I run 254'?

Pass Would you like to talk more about your new song 'Mbesha' and 'Kidosho(Abo Teri Mos)?What is the inspiration behind them?

I think they are self explanatory, if you listen to them you will actually understand better that me explaining but yeah, Mbesha was inspired by Mpesa and Kidosho was inspired by the Kikuyu-luo relationships, I felt like I had to address that through a song What is your connection to Londu Chess?What led you to collaborate with her on the song 'Hold You Down'?

Chess has been a good friend of mine since way back and we felt like it was only right we put out a record together, the reception of the song was crazy and still is I must say.

Any Last Words?

Keep your Hustle Up and God shall definitely open doors for you