My mum just asked me what was it she was hearing me singing on radio, and when I explained to her, she wished me all the best in my career. I am married with two daughters, first born aged five years and the second now five months old. My wife appreciates my music and has been my greatest supporter so this really keeps me going strong.
What do you call a fat man?
(Laughing) After I release my next song, which is about men of certain characters, maybe my fans will coin a nickname for them.
How much success has the song brought to you? How has it changed your life?
A lot of it. These days when I walk around town or the estate people who notice me say hi, while others point at me and say “Ndio ile Momo’. Such things never used to happen before. Also, I have received an invite to perform with my band to Kenyans living in Germany later in August.
Tell us about your band
It is called “Ndani ya Tao band” and has seven members. The name means we perform all genres of music. The band is run professionally and I am currently getting the necessary travel documents for every member as we prepare to tour Germany in August.
Has piracy eaten into this success?
Just like every musician in Kenya, I would say very much. Recently, I was moved to tears when I nabbed some pirates selling my music in Meru. I think the government should put in place necessary measures to ensure artistes benefit fully from their creativity.
Tell us about yourself?
I was born in Gichugu about 29 years ago. I began my education at Gatugura Primary School until six grade when my family moved to Meru where I joined Kiguma Primary School. I later joined Kahiga Secondary School, in Tigania East. After high school, I spent some time helping my mum at her shop and groceries in Sagana town.
When did you start singing?
I got interested in music while in primary school. But by then my mum was against my involvement in music. One day I went home with our church guitar but my mother, mistaking it for one belonging to a friend of mine she disliked, broke it into pieces. She was shocked to learn later that she had destroyed the guitar which entertained her at church during praise and worship.
Who inspired you to do what you do now?
After secondary school I started performing as a one-man guitarist in Sagana, with the guitar I had bought from my pocket money savings. By then I had mastered all the hit country music. Then, I met another guitarist known as Kaka, who encouraged me to come to Nairobi.
And how did you end up where you are now
After arriving in Nairobi, I started performing in clubs and slowly my audience grew. In 2006, I released my first song ‘Irima rihandwo muti’. Like ‘Momo’, the song that was aimed at educating the masses about prevention against HIV/Aids, was widely received.
What next for Wakahalf?
I want to record music in Bongo and Genge genres. This is because I want to appeal to a larger audience and mostly help my music to penetrate the international market. I have a dream of topping international music charts.
Do you have a favourite artiste?
Yes. Kidum. When I listen to his music, it inspires me to record songs for national and international audience.
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