Veteran rapper Jua Cali recalled how fame changed his life, robbing him of certain freedoms he used to take for granted.
Speaking an interview with Cate Rira on her podcast ‘POVPodcastKenya’, Jua Cali noted that he was not prepared of what was to follow once he became famous.
“No one prepares you for fame. Fame hits different to everyone,” Jua Cali said.
The rapper’s first recorded track was Ruka, released in 2001 and was followed by Nipe Asali in 2002.
After his songs started hitting the airwaves, Jua Cali says his freedom was taken away as he could not use matatus or walk freely in Nairobi CBD.
“People used to stare at me and that would affect me. It is either you are strong or you lose it,” Jua Cali said.
Jua Cali explained that the process of adjusting to the life of being famous was not easy as he had not yet bought a car and at times he was forced to use matatus.
The veteran rapper revealed that he was forced to limit his movements as he didn’t want to be seen using matatus while commuting around the city.
Things only changed when he finally bought his first car.
“You start adjusting slowly, you cant just walk with slippers in a supermarket. It took us time for us to start making good money and even buying a car. I had so much fun and we would go clubbing but the more my brand was growing, I reduced that,” Jua Cali recalled.
