Lusangale Hubert popularly known as Hueskillz is a Rock/Pop Dj, and one of the pioneers and managers behind some of the major rock events in the country and on the continent.
I caught up with him on email to find out about his rock career and his opinion on the Kenyan and regional rock scene.
KenyaBuzz: When did you decide you want to be rock DJ? 
Hueskillz:  I embarked on specializing as a rock DJ 8yrs back, after bands' performance low. The reason for the low performance was because of the event's DJ were not conversant with the rock crowd as well as rock music.
I switched from mainstream to a specialized rock DJ since then and have been at it actively to date.
KenyaBuzz: How has the Kenyan rock scene evolved since you began?
Hueskillz: I have been privileged to witness the scene taking many phases and evolve into something very promising and interestingly a musical genre force to reckon with in the near future.
Back then we used to have two major events, Battle of the Bands and Rocktober festival, and one thematic club night, Rock Wednesdays at the Carnivore. There was one radio rock show, The Fuse on Capital Fm, then Metal to Midnight on Xfm and The Rumble at VJ show on STV. Now, we have more than two weekly club themed rock nights at least two rock events monthly, a live rock show on TV and a radio show although Xfm is no more.
On the other hand, Kenyan rock bands haven't been consistent at producing new music. They are stalling to get new music out and that has really affected the growth of the scene, fan base as well as our desired presence on the media.
Despite a great improvement which I have noticed from a few new bands, we still need other bands to match up, particularly the veteran bands.
Kenyabuzz: Which rock events that you've pioneered and which ones are you are still a part of?
HueSkillz: I have been privileged to pioneer major events as an organizer as well as premier DJ within and outside the country, like Platform 7, Junior Battle of the Bands, Ramps and Amps, Super Rock, Thriller, the Tanzanian rock festival, Rocketeer fest.
I have also been a member of some the leading and pioneer rock bands in the country and outside as a drummer/ bassist/rhythm guitarist for bands like Seismic, Parking Lot Grass, Kanyeki and Vale of Amonition. I have also been honoured to be the first DJ to host an international band (Angry birds) from Russia at my rock-themed club night.
Currently, I am privileged to run and co-host the first and only live rock tv show in east, west north and central Africa, Rock Tour which has three segments;- A 2hr live rock show on Y254 the number one youth-oriented and viewed free to air tv station,  involving interviews from local rock bands, artists, sportsmen and fans, on Saturdays from 5-7pm. The second segment is an hour long  Gospel rock music show running every Sundays from 10 am-11 am.  The third is an hour long pop, house and EDM music genres show running every Wednesdays from 5-6pm, which are also aired on channels 376 DStv, Startimes 054 and signet 824.
I am also a member of the Rock Society of Kenya trust.
KenyaBuzz: How do you decide which songs to include in your set?
Hueskillz:  My way of building a set list is guided by the current affairs in the music scene, top hits, as well as classic or old school hits, intertwined by the fans requests and favourites. Though at times I choose to give a taste of me.
KenyaBuzz: Which Kenyan bands are the hottest right now?
Hueskillz: Bands that are not hot and on the local hit list are, Irony Destroyed, Seeds of Datura, Straightline Connection, Power Slide, Asia, 20 more days, Vernacular oriented gospel band Kanyeki,  and the new kids on the Rockblock, Refuge and Shanah_ who apparently just got a groove award 2019 Nomination.
KenyaBuzz: In a previous interview you mentioned exposure as one of the challenges facing the Kenyan rock scene. What did you mean by exposure, and who needs it? The bands or the audiences?
Hueskillz: The scene hasn't gotten exposure and it affects the bands and the audience. The bands haven't gotten a chance to share the same platforms with other mainstream artists and also the mainstream audience hasn't gotten a chance to hear what rock has to offer to them but that is going to change real soon courtesy of Hueskillz and his affiliates.

About The Author

Author
Lena Anyuolo

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