I RECORDED MY FIRST SONG FROM MY MJENGO WAGES. JAFAR SILVERBOY

I am a firm believer that talent is one of greatest gifts one can get from God. I personally believe in talent and it is for this reason that today am running this program called msanii ibuka on my blog MULIKA ENTERTAINMENT. I like supporting talent the best way I can and that’s why am investing my time on this. No pay tho.

Well it’s our habit and a trend we like so much and that is getting uprising artistes, interview them then publish the interviews on our online blog. By so doing we believe that these artistes will get exposed and get the morale to pursue their dreams in this industry. It’s all about motivation, encouragement and support.

For our msanii ibuka this week, we feature JAFAR SILVERBOY a Nairobi based uprising artiste. It was an emotional conversation as the musician narrated to us how difficult and hard life was after losing his parents. JAFAR tells us how he lived his life in Mombasa and Nairobi,in the hands of his sister,their neighbor and also with his uncle, his education moments where he was forced to drop out of school for some time while in form two, got to do odds jobs to raise money that enabled him to complete his high school education as a private student and how passion for music made him do some mjengo hustle to record his first song.Today he has recorded several tracks and you can get his song njoo on youtube. This one will inspire you big time.  

Writes FRED NZOMO

Read and enjoy. 

MULIKA:  Thank you for accepting our invite sir. And coming on for the interview. So can you briefly tell us about yourself?

SILVERBOY: It’s my honor. Am JAFAR NYONGESA the last born from a family of three. Am from western Kenya but grew up in Mombasa and Nairobi under different guardians due to the loss of both my dad and mum at the age of three.

MULIKA: Sorry for the untimely demise of your parents. When was this and how was your life without parents. What did you go through in their absence?

SILVERBOY: That was back in 1997. Life without parents!!! What hell of a life!? Not having them closer really made my life miserable. I endured difficulties in learning Eating, clothing and everything one gets when having parents.

MULIKA: Let’s talk about your education and upbringing for a moment. Tell us about it.

SILVERBOY: I went to Bamburi primary school in Mombasa. Then later joined Sihilila R.C School. hahahaa a weird name huh!? In western, under a neighbor’s care whom we were not in any way related. There is where I did my KCPE. Due to my excellent performance, my uncle offered to take me to a secondary school. I joined Kamukunji Sec. Earlier before being taken care of by a neighbor; I used to stay with my sister who by then was married though young due to lack of support. I studied at kamu secondary up to form 2 only for Dramas from my uncle's wife to start. I was forced to drop out of school and start hustling for myself. I did Mjengo for quiet a time then used my primary cert to look for a job. I got one as a Watchman at the age of 18 and worked at night only to do my KCSE as a Private Candidate.

MULIKA: Let’s talk about what you are doing at the moment. Music. When did you get into music and why?

SILVERBOY: I started singing at a tender age. I realized I could sing when I found myself remixing Mbona umeniacha by Mr.Nice. I was good in singing along and from there I found myself writing my songs. I Had Passion for singing and I Felt I Should do something to remember my parents and that’s how I became Msanii. I went on Practicing only to record my first single Known as All I need, at Grandpa Records from my Mjengo Wages back in 2012. hahaa why!!?? It’s because I love music n it’s the only way to tell what I went through. n talk of difficult life, I do music as a result of what I through.

MULIKA: From your own point of view, how has your journey as a musician been? The challenges and how you have been working them out to this far.

SILVERBOY: Actually music isn’t a joke n it’s a long journey which needs patience. In music you spent money which means u need to work extra hard. There are so many challenges in music like being discouraged, not having capital and lacking support. I have come across many others being played by those you entrust your carrier with [producers, promoters, managers] but I never gave up all I did was giving god first rank, working hard and believing in myself no matter what. Prayers, hope n hard work!-

MULIKA: In relation to the above statement what do you think is the biggest problem facing Kenyan young artistes and how can it be avoided or dealt with?

SILVERBOY: First, all young artists out there should come up with relevant ideas. And also shouldn’t force time coz it will never fall into their schedules. The biggest problem facing our young artist is lack of publicity and mentorship. Salute to MULIKA ENT. If they had a publicity platform as such, things wouldn’t be worse for them. Also upcoming artistes should keep it in their minds that, a talent is an inborn ability which never runs out of time. So they compose themselves n work hard as they move towards god's time. Don’t rush. Do music out of passion not for money.

MULIKA: Music production is one sensitive thing that determines whether your song will be good or not. This far, are you satisfied by how your stuff have been produced?

SILVERBOY: To be frank am not especially with how my first two songs were done for me. It’s hurting for someone to tell you. You played your part well but the producer failed you! But am not complaining coz my third production is satisfying. Having a caring producer who doesn’t take you for just a customer is most important.

MULIKA: And as you have said, we have a crop of producers who are incompetent and are taking the young innocent artistes just for customers. Your word for these artistes and these wannabe producers as well.

SILVERBOY: For Artistes, just as you need a business plan to start business, it’s the same way you need to have a proper preparation before booking a session. Have a good background of a producer you wanna work with. Producers, if am praised for a job well done, you are also praised so make a product that earns u respect n more artistes.

MULIKA: The media has been criticized by a majority of Kenyan artistes for playing a lot of foreign content. on the other hand, the media has defended itself by saying that they play what fans are asking for and also alleges that Kenyan artistes are 'lazy' and that they are not working hard to produce good music. Who is being honest here? And do you think the media is doing enough to our homegrown artistes?

SILVERBOY: The media is true but its part of the reason why Kenyan talent is dying. We cannot be Americans coz even we try; we will always be number 2. I once took my track to a certain channel only to be told for my track to be played the whole week, I need to pay 1500. For god sake who pays them to play internationals!!? Fresh and good stuff is down there. Let them give the upcoming a chance and they will be proved wrong. Even though, laumu mwehu na ulaumu kifaranga pia. Artists, how do you expect your video to be played when the song is on drugs n video on love!! The media isn’t doing enough neither are artistes doing enough to attract the media

MULIKA : So who should do what?

SILVERBOY: Artistes should do what’s considered good enough by media n media should realize charity begins at home n also you blame as you correct not by avoiding!!

MULIKA: This far, what is that one thing that you have done that makes you proud of yourself? Achievements and how many projects have you done so far?

SILVERBOY: Am proud of myself for being a considered a good script and song writer. I wrote a song called madeni for a guy called monaz and a script for neno la bwana by kizo b which is doing good. So far I have 4 track namely all I need, maisha mapambano, njoo whose video is on youtube and kazi yangu.

MULIKA:  That’s absolutely credible man. So what’s your future plans for your music career and life.

SILVERBOY: Be a Recommendable Songs and Scripts Writer, an International Artist and a Mentor.

MULIKA: Family wise? Anything on the ring finger?

SILVERBOY:  Hahahaaa Not Yet. Got a dream! And it’s until it becomes reality first.

MULIKA: We appreciate and thank you so much for your time. Any partying shot?

SILVERBOY: Thanks a lot. Msanii mwenye akili timamu huchonga maneno yanayo leta fahamu.! Usikonde wala kujitia kitanzi kwani Bwana Yupo. Mfanye Mpenzi, andika Barua ya Mapenzi Ukijua Si Kipofu atatuma Msaidizi

MULIKA: It’s always our pleasure and it was great having you.

SILVERBOY: Thanks a lot for hosting me here man. May you be blessed for the great job you are doing. Finding potential in upcoming artist’s n nurturing them is no joke. Thanks a lot and salute to the entire MULIKA ENT CREW. For my fans, one love!! Dream big, achieve big!

 You can get silverboy on facebook JAFAR SILVERBOY YULE MSANII.

From MULIKA ENTERTAINMENT, we wish silverboy all the best in his endeavors

MULIKA ENTERTAINMENT supporting talents.

It’s all about my society

Be the change you want to see.

THE TRUTH ABOUT DIGITAL MIGRATION . WHO IS FOOLING WHO?

 THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS DIGITAL MIGRATION WOES AND WHO IS FOOLING WHO?

Writes Fred Nzomo.

                                                       

A lot has been said about this digital migration exercise ever since it was launched world wide five years ago.In Kenya it was never taken as a serious exercise that will be of benefit to the civilians since many people felt like it was good remaining in the analog era. So before i proceed, what is digital migration? Digital migration is a process by which media companies are expected to switch off their analog signal transmitters after replacing them with digital signal broadcasters . After this, the consumers(TV users) are expected to buy digital decoders commonly known set top boxes to be able to access the television channels. It is known by everyone world wide that the exercise of digital migration was launched five to six years ago and that the global deadline for this exercise was set to be on the 31 st of July 2015.
Since then, the communications commission of Kenya(CCK) announced the deadline for switching off the analogue transmitters in the whole country. According to the CCK,the exercise was supposed to be done in phases. The first phase was Nairobi and its environs then later the whole country. Nairobi never migrated since some fellows named SMG, NMG and RMS kept on running to court to halt the exercise as they were not ready and as they said Kenyans weren't ready as well. what followed were court proceedings that seemed to never come to an end.These 3 media houses won every battle in court thanks to the powerful lawyer Paul Muite who was representing them.

The fight was now left for the 3 media houses against cck and the savior was always the court. As They continued to fight, days were elapsing so fast and global deadline for digital migration was approaching at a faster speed. Shock was awaiting these media giants. Sometimes back these guys had their license taken away from them because of breaching the terms and conditions that should regulate them.Don't forget that they were fined ksh. 500,000/=. Now last week is when hell broke loose.The supreme court judges lead by deputy chief justice Kalpana Rawal on friday 13 last week gave a ruling directing the CCK to return the licences' they had taken away from the 3 media houses. The court further directed the CCK  authority to go ahead and execute the switching off of the analog transmitters. That was supposed to be done on friday mid night. By Saturday the 3 media houses were still broadcasting a move that saw the CCK move to their limuru site where their transmitters are located then switched them off. These guys then went ahead and switched their signals completely thus going off air up to date for reasons known by everyone. Its evident they did that to paint the government badly by citing unfair treatment by the CCK. These guys are now crying foul while giving Kenyans the wrong information as to what happened. They are saying that the government is the one that vandalized their equipment in limuru hence the media black out. That is a typical lie.

THE TRUTH IS, THESE 3 MEDIA HOUSES switched themselves off. They have their own interests as business partners. Some of  the claims they have is that the government has allocated more frequencies to foreign  companies at their expense. These companies are GOTv, Start Times, Zuku among others.I don't know how true is their claims, but the million dollar question is, where were they when these foreign companies were being given almost all the broadcasting frequencies? Its very simple, they were in court doing nothing. Apparently Kenyans have seen the light and know the truth of what transpired to the exit of CITIZEN,NTV and KTN off air. Its not the issue of if Kenyans can afford the decoders or not. That is not important as at now. The most important thing, is moving on with the planned digital migration. Kenyans got nothing to loose, after all, social media is all what they need to have every information at hand. Kenyans have woken up from their slumber and they have known that these 3 media houses are tying to fool them. Go to social media and you'll see how furious Kenyans are with these fellers. Kenyans are tired of being taken for granted by some people who got no interest for them. These media houses claim that they are fighting for the common mwananchi. That is a lie, then main interest is their business empires. And at not point in the history of this country, will we have everyone having everything they need. The digital migration should not be halted because i cant afford the digital decoder, never. Let it be executed i will buy the decoder later. The one thing that almost each and every other Kenyan is saying is that, no one is ready to sympathize with these liars who want to drag us back. Its time to migrate, to go the digital way, and there should be no turning back. And let it be known that this digital migration exercise is not a government project, its  not something that is being executed by the Kenyan government, not at all. In fact the government of Kenya has got nothing to do with this. Totally nothing and no interest at all. Digital migration is a global thing and the government is just doing the obvious,supervising its execution. Nothing more.
This is what JUA KALI, a renowned kenyan genge artiste had to say on his facebook page concerning the whole thing. .....The pulling of KTN, NTV, QTV and Citizen TV signals from Pay TV does not make economic sense since the CAK Act makes it compulsory for Pay TV channels to run at least 5 free to air channels on their channels as long as they don't change the content. Thus even adverts on the free to air channels were kept intact. By cutting off all signals the free to air channels have cut off an important source of revenue and disappointing their loyal fans, They should have leased the digital signals and stayed on air. Citizen TV and Radio became number one by simply leasing transmitters from KBC which is still the only station to have transmitters in all parts of Kenya. Even Kenya Airways does not own all their planes as its cheaper to lease them. Anyway it may take over 6 months just to set their digital signals and import and submit their set up boxes for approval by the same CAK they are at war with. At the end of the day, its the advertisers who will force the free to air channels to return their signals to the Pay TV channels or they will move to other local digital channels....
 NMG, SMG and RMS stop fooling and cheating Kenyans, lets do digital migration for the sake of kenyans. If its competition then you better up your game. Period.

MUSIC GAVE ME A PLACE I CAN CALL HOME!!! Hints JML, a Gospel artiste!

TODAY  11/02/2015                                                                                    MSANII IBUKA

JML, an Eldoret based gospel artiste 

shares with us his life in ministry,

 the challenges he has gone through, the importance of having a mentor and

 gives a kind advise to fellow ministers.

writes Fredrick Nzomo

Getting into music industry is no joke. It’s no joke because it’s never easy. People get into music for various reasons. Scores of them like me cite talent, calling, passion; others got totally different reasons like fame, money, celebrity, street recognition or even to floss to their friends and colleagues that they are musicians. The above reasons or claims are not bad. They are all good depending on the perspective and dimensions you view them from. Just understand them from the basic point of view. But truth be told, it is the reason that lead you into doing music that determines your fate in the art. The reason or purpose is the main and the biggest determinant. Some people will start singing and recording today and I a couple of days, they are gone. Others start today and in the next 5 years, you will still find them doing music. I call that dedication. And for you to be dedicated then you must be patient, ambitious, passionate and hard working towards achieving your dream and meeting your goals in life.

JML

Well, today we publish an exclusive interview of a young man from ELDORET famed for the song KONGOI featuring RUFFTONE.  This young man talks about his life and music, the challenges he goes through as a gospel minister and as a youth, the importance of having a mentor, what the young budding musicians should know before signing recording deals and how the media is killing or promoting talent. This is the first interview where the artiste has opened up fully and given us what we haven’t gotten days. It’s a challenge to the artistes who wish to be interviewed by us. The bar has been set high up there, so up your game and we will tell your story. Read, be informed and be transformed. 

MULIKA :     So to start off, tell us about yourself briefly. 

JML :      Well my real names are BENJAMIN BIRECH stage names JML meaning JESUS MY LOVE I do gospel music.  I come from Eldoret, Kenya but I was born in Ziwa Uasin gishu county in a family of 3.

MULIKA :     How did you find yourself in music and why gospel?

JML :       I used to love music since my childhood and one day bishop BEN BAHATI hosted a crusade in Eldoret town , huruma grounds and Rufftone was the guest artist. I told them how I love music. They told me to sing and they saw a potential in me so Rufftone told bishop to take care of me and nature my potential since that day I was taken to LBDS music records where they natured my music talent until now. I have done my recent song with Rufftone called KONGOI

MULIKA :     when was this?

JML :      In the year 2014 is when I did the song ft Rufftone...but when they did the crusade and I got saved was on 2010

MULIKA :     what type/genre of music do you do?

JML :        I do hip hop, reggae, ragga and kapuka

MULIKA :    what can you say about your journey/life as a gospel artiste? Are you living your dream or is music what you wanted to do?

JMl :      Yes I am doing what I ever wanted to do. Music is me and I love doing it. It was one of my passions. I dream music I walk music everything around me is music.

MULIKA :    What drives you as a gospel artiste? Your inspiration, motivation, and generally in song writing?

JML :      First it’s the challenges of life what we go through on daily life, 2nd my music sometimes comes when am sleeping. I dream of singing a very nice song and its blessing so many people. others are getting healed and when I wake up am still singing the same song. long before I had noticed that this is a talent, I used to dream a very nice song and I could wake up in the morning only to find that I had already lost the song. I could think of it a bit later in the day and could not retrace it back coz I dint write it in a paper or record it on my phone but nowadays I know how to catch the rhythm  I can even wake up in the middle of the night and write songs. Also some of my music comes direct from the bible coz u must relate your music with the bible coz we are Gospel musicians.

MULIKA :     As gospel artiste and as a young man, what are some of your greatest challenges?

JML:      Number 1 is money because when you don’t have money you can’t meet your goals like doing a quality music and video.  Nowadays media need nothing but quality music and video.  Number 2 is when you are a super star and your music is playing on radio and TV people think you have money and you have no challenges.  I must say musicians are human beings we have feelings like other people sometimes we are up and sometimes we are down just like normal people.  Number 3 is women when you are a musician we have the challenge of being chased around by women even if you tell them that you are in a relationship they can’t understand.

MULIKA :    Off late we have crop of singers who claim that they are doing newskul gospel kind of music, but the society is disputing that. Apparently some people feel like we should stick to the old way of doing music. In song writing and the beats that are being used. What’s your take on this?

JML :    Well I must say music is music as long as it’s taking the message to the world and it’s the kind of a message that can change a life for a good reason not a bad reason be it secular music or gospel ...let me focus on gospel coz that is the side that is most affected by this..number 1 we are on a digital generation where by children don’t have to sit with you on the sitting room to watch TV programs with you they can easily access anything on their mobile phones the reason why we do Gospel music in this way is to be able to reach the gospel and win souls for the kingdom all age groups.

MULIKA :    let’s talk about music production and media. What do you think is the biggest issue facing Kenyan gospel artistes like you? What’s that one thing that is posing as a threat to budding musicians?

JML :     Well I must say the biggest challenge for musicians is after production they don’t know how to get there music on the media that's radio and tv...and this leads into killing someone’s talent. Number 2 is when an upcoming artist gets a connection to the media the media asks them to pay for it and yet they have not made anything from the song  coz they just released it . So this is the biggest challenge. 

MULIKA :     Apart from media what else? We have had young artistes complain of poor production by unqualified producers, artistes being duped /conned by promoters, and managers cancelling deals without a valid reason. What do you have to say about this?

JML :    Yes for sure when young artist go to the studio for them to produce their music they go to these big studios to produce their music not knowing that it’s not the studio producing music it’s the producer doing so, I must tell you young artist that when you go to the studio look for a specific producer not the studio coz the studio might be big but not the producer ...nowadays also I must say for a young artist having a manager is not a bad thing but first do  you know the work of that manager??? please market your music first so that by the time you get that manager it shall be you giving that manager your conditions and what you want but if your an upcoming artist and you don’t have what it takes your manager might use you so bad so I would say market yourself first as an artist.

MULIKA :    Many artistes today have got no mentor. That special someone who has been there and can guide them, advise them, counsel them, encourage them and generally keep them on watch. Are musicians in need of mentors or they can do without them? What is the importance of a mentor? And do you have a mentor?

JML :     Well I must say for a musician to grow and be inspired you need to have a mentor, someone who has gone a step before you in fact much bigger step. As for me like I said earlier my mentors have always been Rufftone and Bishop ben Bahati may his soul rest in peace.  Bishop Ben was not only my Bishop because I go to his church but a personal mentor in terms of facing daily challenges musically, spiritually and financially. When I was going through challenges on producing my music I remember once when I had totally no money to produce my first music he saw my passion and helped me to produce my first song and later my second music until I picked up musically so for an upcoming artist you need one. Rufftone kept guiding me and encouraging me that I will make it someday and for sure now I can see the light after he took me to his studio Lampstand records and we did the audio and video of the song KONGOI.  My dreams came through now this song is doing well on radio and tv stations this is the benefits of having a mentor, someone who believes in you.

MULIKA :   What have you achieved today as a gospel artiste? That one thing that you always thank God for. And how do you overcome your challenges as well?

JML with the lingala ya yesu hit maker, PITSON

JML :    Many things my brother like being popular, being called to big events and rubbing shoulders with big artistes name them PITSON, RUFFTONE, NJUGUSH, DADY OWEN and many more. By the grace of God my music playing on big tv stations and radio stations without struggling to get them there and topping the charts on the best top ten. Also being nominated for big awards like 2014 best male artist Riftvalley awards
Best collabo of the year 2014 Riftvalley awards
Best promising artist 2013 East african music awardz
Best male artist of the year 2012 CGMA awardz
And now this year aiming Groove awardz as the best male artist Rift valley
And best collabo KONGOI JML FT RUFFTONE. Also this music has bought me a land, the home I can call my own.

MULIKA :     What are your future plans for your music career? where do you want to see yourself in the next 5 years?

JML:      Hehehe my brother I want to own my own studio work my music till I reach international not only East Africa I want to win those big awards.

MULIKA :     You hinted that you have a place you can call your own? Is this an indication that you are a family man?

JML :          Hahaha no I am not married yet but trusting God for one soon.

MULIKA :    Any advice to the uprising artistes like you? What do you have for your fans this year? Parting shot.

 JML :         Well for upcoming artist please go for quality music. Its better you save, get enough money and work on one single song that can lift you from nothing to something than doing many songs that will never be played on air media stations only go for quality. so its better you give them even a single song but quality again nobody has hever reached somewhere before starting from somewhere so where your now it’s not permanent you will reach your target someday all you need is patience and persistence keep pushing towards your dreams also link up with fellow musicians those who have gone a step ahead of you those are the people that can tell you do this so you can make..
As for my fans watch out for JML this year have got big this coming in store one single ft Daddy Owen called warrior. In the meantime keep voting for Kongoi on your local tv stations and radio stations. Be blessed and much love. To get me always call this number for events booking 0724124665 whatsapp message or call JML you can also add me on Facebook on JML KENYA MUSIQ or like my fan page JML MUSICIAN BAND

You can watch his new song Kongoi here.

Here At MULIKA ENTERTAINMENT we like giving our support the much we can to young, ambitious and passionate musicians with a promising career. I have to assure you that, you have what it takes to make it in everything you do. If others have done it, then why not you? You have the potential, just do it. For as they say, IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT.

We as MULIKA FAMILY,wish JML all the best in his endeavors

LIVING FOR A PURPOSE: From collecting copper and scrap metals in Mathare slums to a Company C.E.O.

 

Living for a purpose: From collecting copper and scrap metals in Mathare slums to a company C.E.O.

Davy Barbz takes us through a heart 

moving and an inspiring life testimony,

 from the day he was born at the  

PUMWANI maternity hospital  

 to where he is today!

By Fred Nzomo.

Growing up in a missionary school, going up to class 7 without seeing his parents, running away from home and living on his own in MATHARE SLUMS area 1 at a very early age to a world class videographer and the current C.E.O at QWETU ELEMENTS, DAVY BARBZ tells us why he never gave up even when life gave him a dozen reasons to do so. MULIKA ENTERTAINMENT WRITER FRED, caught up this gospel artiste turned video director for a talk. Today he shares with us his life, how life made him try almost everything he could from dancing to singing, from singing to becoming a praise and worship leader in their church, an actor and eventually the video director and the C.E.O of QWETU ELEMENTS we have today. So how did he do or become all this in a span of 5 years? Did he succeed in his singing career? How about his video directing career? He takes us though his personal life, a challenging and most inspiring pullout. This is first of a kind done by the MULIKA ENTERTAINMENT FAMILY. BE INSPIRED. BE TRANSFORMED

 

David Githinji.

Davy barbz, real names David Githinji is one man who has beaten all odds to climb the ladder of success and quite knows the taste of real hustle. Davy was born in Nairobi at the pumwani hospital two decades ago, got enrolled in school at a quiet early age, has walked the journey of life when he had nothing and today shares with us how his life was then and now what God has done for him.

David was enrolled in school at a very early age and only got to see his parents 13 years later. In the course of the conversation I get curious to know why he had to stay at school even when other kids left school for holiday and how did he stay away and without seeing his parents for this long?

“I grew up in a missionary school in KANGEMI, St. Martins good news center, whereby we never used to go home after school had closed, I enrolled long ago in baby class and the first time I went home to my parent’s house I was in class 7, due to family issues.  After my final K.C.P.E exams I joined  Maasai boys high school which  was a boarding school, and since I met my dad while in class 7 I hated being away from home. Things didn’t work out as I had planned ,so I ran away from home and relocated to MATHARE SLUMS AREA 1, i lived in a mad house. I remember on one occasion my mum came and forced me to go back home, but after a month I ran away for the second time,....so they let me be. “His mum was working in the missionary school he (davy) was studying while his dad was working with UN at that time in juba, Sudan.

One might wonder what was making Davy run away from home, from the comfort of his parents and how did he live alone? How did he survive the harsh life of MATHARE SLUMS? What kept him going? And on that note, I get curious to know how did he really survive alone! “I started living in my own house while in FORM 3 in MATHARE SLUMS, we used to sell copper, and scrap metals to get our daily bread, and after life became worse I went back to my mum's house.  I was in my fourth year in high school.”

ABOUT HIS EDUCATION. HOW WAS HIS EDUCATION LIFE?

  “They (my parents) had to transfer me from boarding school to a day school for me to stay at home, I did my K.C.S.E in 2006, and I never pursued education from year 2007, since we (family) had moved to Ruiru”. However, in as much his life was marred with a lot of challenges, he still got a diploma in computer electronics engineering, and an advanced diploma from Shang Tao media arts, for 3d animation and media arts.  In the course of the conversation he cuts in, “‎something u guys should know is that I always wanted to be a chef, but that was a wrong career. “

TURNING POINT, CAREER, PASSION AND PROFESSION.

 In Ruiru, David started a small dancing unit and named it redeemed soldiers. They used to dance in church every Sunday where he also learned how to play the keyboard a move that saw him appointed to the position of a praise and worship leader.

After forming this group and being elevated to a senior position in church what happened? Did things work out for this young lad? “After a while I left and went back to Mathare slums where I met this crazy dudes who did what I loved most, dancing, so I joined them and in no time we had the baddest crew in the whole of pangani.  We called our group BADILI INTERNATIONAL. We were almost 24 members, but most of the guys gave up and the number reduced to 8. I had gained pace. We used to host a concert each and every month. After awhile I told the guys that I had written a crazy song and we should record it. At first they all laughed, they never thought I could sing, but after we recorded the first single I became their leader, and they lead sing.”

Davy on stage at the kamiti maximum prison

After a while, David and his group members decided to record an album together, a move that saw them work with one of the best audio producers by then. How did it turn out?  “We were 6guys and 2 ladies. We decided to record an album and by God's grace we recorded with the best producer at that time, (name withheld), but he disappointed us, it took 4 years for him to give us a demo album”, laments Davy.  After getting the demos, the group resolved to shooting videos for their debut album but as fate would have it, the video director failed them miserably.

...” He (the video director) shot our video then flew to the states for six months and on coming back he had lost some of our footage's.  He had edited a shoddy job and decided to give it to us, but we refused, we were desperately indeed of stardom because of the life we lived, we wanted fame really bad that we forgot that it has never been hard. He really disappointed us and the group broke up, we all gave up! after some two three years some two guys that were in the group approached me and asked if we could try singing one more time, we did a song, and shot a crazy video with convex media, it was super hot, the track was baba asante by BADILI INT, this did not bring us together as a unit because after it was aired for about 6months the group broke since we didn’t share a common goal and dream as team. I had written almost 20 songs, I didn’t know what to do with them so I kept the lyrics book very far away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJR9YOQwcwM  (watch the song asante baba here performed by badili international)

VIDEO DIRECTING.  THE ‘BIRTH’ AND THE JOURNEY OF A VIDEO DIRECTOR.

Now that everyone in the group had given up and the group had finally come to an abrupt end, what was next for this ambitious young man?  The jobless boy was still in MATHARE SLUMS, got tired of the slum life and begun yearning for a better life. A popular video director in town promised him through facebook that he will sign their group BADILI INTERNATIONAL and employ him provided that he knew how to edit. Did he really know how to edit? Let’s find out.

“I had a smart phone that I used to shoot some random clips and tried editing using windows movie maker and wow, my dream started becoming a reality I had no idea that I could do it, after a while I was good at it, I could shoot something using my phone then edit. I got a job at a studio nearby, DEDE RECORDS, and the producer SAMMY GITONGA told me that he won’t charge me for anything; all I had to do is be on time, clean the studio, make tea and learn how to produce. I started making beats for recording. Directing has really changed my life, I am so blessed, and I cannot tell it all”.

 Nitatenda by Mr. Nick directed by Davy barbz.

A QWETU ELEMENTS PRODUCTION.

It really has been a long journey for this young man. He has gone the tiresome and tiring journey, he could have given up, but he didn’t. He endured everything and today Davy is enjoying the fruits of his hustle dated back to 7 years ago. He kept on keeping on. So where is David today? Has he achieved his dream in life? Is he still living for his dream?  

TODAY

Davy on set.

Davy on location

Today David is among the top video producers and directors in Kenya, he owns production companies by the name QWETU ELEMENTS MEDIA with offices along taveta road and nyayo stadium block b. He is the creative director and has done almost 150 music videos that have received airplay all over the TV stations. He is planning on signing few upcoming artistes to help them achieve their goals. Ladies, this man is already taken!

WHERE DOES HE WANT TO BE IN 5 YEARS TIME?

QWETU ELEMENTS C.E.O, Davy Barbz.

I hope and pray that QWETU ELEMENTS MEDIA will be a house hold brand all over the world, creating more inspiring, great music videos all over, and winning all kinds of awards.  Also venture into film production.
Follow him on twitter. https://twitter.com/Davy_barbz 
On facebook. https://www.facebook.com/qwetuelementsmedia?fref=ts 
youtube channel. http://m.youtube.com/user/Davybarbz06

AS MULIKA ENTERTAINMENT FAMILY WE WISH DAVID ALL THE BEST IN HIS ENDEAVORS, MY GOD BLESS THE GOOD WORKS OF YOUR HANDS.  THE SKY IS NOT EVEN THE LIMIT. YOU GOT THE WHOLE WORLD TO CONQUER.