Raj is by far one of the multi-talented, prolific hip-hop artiste in the game today and he has a whole lot of experience in the music industry and he is not a newcomer in the music business either.
Raj finally releases the visuals for ‘Suka’ with Fena Gitu and Wangechi
Raj has worked with most of your favorite musicians and in that, he has learned the art of music versatility which is key in the music industry today being as competitive as it is nowadays since everybody wants a piece of it.
He is the only Kenyan rapper to have released an EP for 18 weeks straight without fail under his music label, Music Bank.
He intends to release the second EP dubbed ‘BAE 2’ after BAE[his first EP] which is an acronym to Beautiful and Exquisite.
We got wind of him and what he has been up to and he had all answers to 10 most important questions you might want to ask him if you ever get to meet the ‘Suka’ hitmaker.
Here are the well elaborate conversation of the important questions and the answers with Raj
What is your earliest memory of music?
I remember when I was a little boy in the late ’90s my family was much into Brenda Fassie (Mum) and Lucky Dube (Dad) both South African artistes.
My dad, who’d garnered a little popularity in our village, would also play me music from local Kisii ( a tribe from S. Western Kenya where I’m from) artists who had sung about him or mentioned him in their songs. I was at most 7 years old.
How much of a musical history does your family have?
My family has a little known musical background.
The only recollection my grandmother shared was that her great grandfather used to play ‘Obokano’ a stringed traditional Kisii instrument.
What do you remember about the first song you wrote and released?
I remember it was trash haha. Having just been in the city for a few months, fresh from high school, the first song I recorded was so American-influenced and my ‘twang’ was really annoying now that I think about it.
This was in 2012.
Who are your top five artists of all time?
This is a tough one. I’m heavily influenced by African music, hence my style where I fuse Swahili, English and my native Kisii Language. I’d list
1: Fela Kuti from Nigeria
2: Kayamba Africa from Kenya
3:E-sir the late Swahili rapper from Kenya
4: Dr. Dre is also on the list having influenced me as an artiste and producer.
5: Wizkid AKA Starboy, from NG, is also undoubtedly on the list. He inspires me to know that its possible to be internationally successful from Africa.
Honorable mentions include Kalamashaka; an old-school hip-hop group from Kenya, J cole; AKA from S.A & and the ever-controversial Kanye West.
What inspired your music?
My music is mostly inspired by my life. My day to day experiences.
Every situation I’m in, good or bad, sad or happy will eventually be documented in a song.
My music is like a diary. On ‘Sawa Sawa’ for example, I woke up to a Friday where every aspect of my life seemed Sawa Sawa (‘Okay’ in English) Luckily I had a beat and was in the studio earlier that day. To this day, that song has touched so many people’s lives exceeding my expectations.
What is your writing process like?
My earlier releases were written based on observations and/or experience. In recent times, however, for example, SUKA ft Wangechi and Fena Gitu, I don’t write. I feel the beat, decide on a concept, wear headphones and flow with the beat off the top. It’s fun, quick and priceless when you play it back.
What is the music scene in Africa like?
African music is vibrant. Most artists are optimistic.
The only challenges faced largely by many African artists (myself included) is lack of proper music distribution channels, lack of artist development and management and proper sound engineering, on the part of the music, in comparison to global standards.
What are your thoughts on the industry today?
The African industry today is growing.
We are seeing more and more international record companies and labels set base on the African continent.
More corporate brands are now investing in musicians having seen the potential and influence of African musicians to its people.
Pepsi has for example invested in Wizkid and Tiwa Savage. Safaricom in Kenya is also heavily partnering with artistes like Sauti Sol & Nyashinski to push their brand.
AKA from S.A recently became the first African artist to launch his own liqueur line in partnership with a South African alcoholic company earning the title ‘The African Diddy’
Will you move to the USA for your music?
While the USA is seen as the ultimate music destination by so many African artists, I would personally prefer basing my music in Kenya owing to the influence the Kenyan culture has on my music.
However, I’d love to tour the world, including the USA, while selling the African and more so Kenyan culture.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently focused on developing my sound both as an artist and producer.
I’m also working on my next BAE2 (Beautiful And Exquisite 2) EP, the first one, BAE EP, having dropped in 2016 after a successful 18 weeks, weekly music release series (every Tuesday) dubbed #BaeTuesday & later in December a launch concert titled BAE Concert at the historic Uhuru Gardens grounds on Kenya’s Independence.
ONLY GOD KNOWS THOUGH.
