If you can make one person happy, you'll feel much better. That is what Mbithi and Khemboi are all about. They focus on reaching that one person in a large crowd. Mbithi has worked with celebrated musician King Kaka and Kemboi is from the band Third Hand Music, their trajectory in the music industry is going up.
The two artists who have collaborated on a song 'Mschana Mmmoja' has seen them get massive airplay and interviews. KenyaBuzz had a chat with them about what made them choose music, the kind of music they focus on individually and what superpowers they secretly wished they had. Well, it's not a secret anymore is it?
On their new song 'Mschana Mmoja'
Khemboi: We were confident of the song because we had been working on it since 2017. We were also very excited when we released it.
Mbithi: We personalized the song to a specific girl. We wanted that chic on TV watching our music video to feel that she is the one being addressed. My goal is to write music to reach that one person in the large audience.
On what made them choose music as a career
Khemboi: When I came to Nairobi in 2011, I came specifically for music. I had come to study and in my fourth year while I was seating for a paper, it hit me; I was studying a boring subject! I just walked out and resolved to pursue my true passion; music. To me music is more of an escape from the 'noise' of the world.
Mbithi: I've always wanted to do music. I grew up a lonely kid; my mom worked on night shifts severally and my sister was in boarding school at the time. So it was always me and the neighbors most of the time. We also didn't have a TV by then so I'd listen to radio most of the times. That's when my relationship with music developed. Music is also therapeutic to me.
On the genre of music they focus on
Khemboi: I'm a singer. It's kind of hard to place the kind of music I do into one box. I'll sing whatever flows today, now, tomorrow. Inasmuch as I'd love to listen to say American stars, I challenged myself to listen to more African music; Alpha Blondie, Angelique Kidjo, Miriam Makeba, Oliver Mtukudzi. That's the music I'm all for and that's what I'd like to get deeper into.
Mbithi: I'm an African rap artist. The odd thing also is that I don't get inspiration from listening to rappers. I'll listen to RnB and get something from it. The same with reggae or say Sarkodie.
On identifying the right team that believes in them
Khemboi: Before I win that Grammy and you congratulate me for it, we have to have been friends from the beginning. We have to have personal victories before we get public victories as a team. You don't go picking people to be part of your team that will propel your career. It happens, your craft gets you the right people.
Mbithi: Our society has stereotyped the artist or creative as someone who's idle or doesn't have a legitimate career. I rarely tell people that I'm an artist because of that and so getting people who believe in you also becomes hard. Your drive will get you the right people in your corner.
On working with King Kaka
Khemboi: It was an awesome experience. When he called prior to the project I was excited and I'm glad it worked out amazingly.
Mbithi: He reached out and I was glad he noticed the work I'd been putting into my craft. It was more like opportunity meeting preparedness.
On their proudest moments in the musical career
Khemboi: Every moment is a big one. I wake up with renewed energy and ambition to succeed each day.
Mbithi: It has to be the response that I get from the audience with every song I release.
What if they had superpowers?
Khemboi: Teleportation. I love beautiful landscapes and scenery so when I'm bored, I'd find myself in Naivasha.
Mbithi: Alchemy; the power to turn anything into whatever I want. I'd probably turn the Probox cars we have into really cool rides.
 

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Omani Joy

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