The veteran Genge rapper Nonini (born Hubert Nakitare) is having it good in the US where he has been based for months.
On top of launching a clothing and shoe brand, Mgenge2Ru Collection, Nonini is working on his sixth studio album.
The first track off the album is ‘Tanga’, a collaboration with Tanzanian singer Chege Chigunda.
“It is a new album I am working on after successfully launching my fifth album last year. While I am here in the US, I am trying to take my brand to another level,” Nonini said.
Adding: “I decided to collaborate with Chege because he is a long-time friend. We are sort of the pioneers or, if you would like, legends in terms of music in East Africa and we just want to show that we are still here. I am in Maryland and he is in Dar es Salaam and we were able to make it work. Neither of us travelled to meet. Of course, it is expensive but those are the borders and boundaries we have to push.”
On life in the US, Nonini said he is paid much better than in Kenya.
“Kenya is my home and I love it, but like I said, I want to take my brand to another level. Personally, life here is not bad. I am able to release my music, do shows, and get paid ten times more than what I used to earn in Kenya,” he said.
“Fans should expect a lot this coming year…I have major collaborations lined up for this album. I know many people thought that I will fade out from the industry but I am here to stay.”
