Interview: Nakuru, Kenya Based Artist, Rapper and Songwriter Kilundeezy
Kenyan rapper and songwriter Kilundeezy is arguably one of the ever-rising talents from East Africa. He talked to us at The Hype Magazine about his musical career.
The common adage says that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. The same applies to Kilundeezy and his musical career. In this interview with Jackson Ngari, he narrates how he got started in music.
His journey began when he performed his first freestyle to a lady who got impressed by the lyrics. During that process of creating and recording freestyle rhymes, Kilundeezy knew that music was what he wanted to do despite the fact that he recorded his first song whilst broke. The feeling and satisfaction he got from that process could not be matched by anything else, so his musical journey started. The process of moving from electrical engineering, a field assured of a good, stable, well-paying career, to a career in music, a career full of uncertainty, does not make sense. Especially since it was at a time when Kenyan music was in its infancy. As you can imagine, one would be worried about what their parents would think of the decision in today’s climate of Genge music, where a majority of Kenyans argue that it is falling or, rather, ending. Where the commercial appeal of the artist and the beats in the song are often more important than the quality of their music itself, Kilundeezy delivers a lyrically and vocally sound project that will stand the test of time.
We spoke to Kilundeezy about what inspired his entry into Nairobi’s burgeoning Genge tone and R&B scene and why he spent the better part of his year focusing on music and nothing else.
So who is Kilundeezy?
Kilundeezy is a performing Gengetone, RNB artist, songwriter, content creator, and electrical engineer by profession born and raised in Kenya who goes by the real names Boniface N. Makuthi.
How did you fall into music?
To be honest, I never knew I had a talent in Music until this one day when people were bullying me on Twitter. At that moment, I didn’t know what was on my mind, but I figured out that I would just make it look like a joke and hit back. I wrote some freestyle lines and recorded them on my phone without a studio. I did some freestyles, and to my amazement, the results were splendid. I instantly decided to post the clips online; thankfully, they went viral. By then, my artist name was Kilunda since all my freestyles ended with the signature (Outro) Kilundeezy, and from there, people started calling me Kilundeezy. As days went on, I started doing serious freestyle. To add on, I once did a freestyle for beautiful Sheila Mwanyigha, who was impressed by the lyrics. Positively, someone noted my talent and promised to pay for my first track recording, which amounted to Ksh 5000. After dropping the audio ‘Niko fete,’ everyone was vibing to it all thanks to Kevin Keroro @vinni_, who made it happen. After that, the urge to go back to the studio to record had already started to burn inside me. So, I went back, this time with my own cash, and recorded “Bomb Ya Saddam” At that time, I was broke since I was unemployed, and all I could afford was to record an audio-only. But since I wanted to shoot a video, I remembered that many people who like my music are on Twitter, I should try online fundraising. At first, I didn’t know it would work. And just like that, I tweeted about it and asked people to support me with anything, even if it was Ksh 50. I posted the tweet at around 12 noon, and by 7:00 PM, I had scooped Ksh 30,000, all thanks to Kenyans on Twitter. And that’s how my music kicked off.
When did you figure out that this is the career path you’d want to take in life and who have been some Kenyan or international artists that motivated you to take the craft seriously?
2019 20th November that’s when I started taking music seriously after I dropped the “Bomb Ya Saddam ” video, and all I can say is that it paid up because that’s when I did my first live performance in 1824 club in Nairobi plus with me going viral I had to take music seriously.
I’m a fan of Mejja, Ssaru, and Trio Mio, international I’m of moombahton music Dave Nada, Alex font, and Major Lazer.
What have been/are your musical influences? What did you grow up listening to, and how has that played into your artistry?
I grew up listening to traditional music popularly known as Mbenga and Geng’e, which is the cousin to Gengetone. I even remember I had made a guitar which I used to play songs to my older sister after school though I was not taking it that seriously. The influence of Gengetone influenced my writing a lot.
What kinds of stuff are you writing about? What are the specific scenarios that have led to specific songs?
Mostly I write about partying since no one has time to be sad..my writing is influenced by activities that happen in nightclubs. On the other side, I love songs influenced by feelings. Generally, I write my songs even based on the topic and events happening around me.
The first song of yours that I heard was ‘FORM’. What was the process behind putting that song together?
Everyone was raving about Trio, so my manager reached out to his team. A month later, I sent my verses; we vibed and recorded the song. He is such a talented artist, from how he writes his bars to his flow. Before even releasing the song, we were already jamming to it in the studio, and I could tell the song was a breakthrough. So far, it’s my best song, and the second is “Bomb Ya Saddam.”
How do you usually ensure that your songs stand out unique from others? And what time do you find best for weaving your lines?
First of all, I like trying a style of beats that no one is relating to; sometimes, it’s even hard to tell the genre of music I do because it doesn’t sound to what many people are used to from how I write my chorus how I execute my verses. Music is art; the ideas can come to you in the morning, after watching a movie, or in the middle of the night, but mostly my ideas come in the morning when my mind is fresh or before I go to sleep. I like trying different beats to get an idea. So what I can say about music ideas depend on the mood. Is it a loving moment or partying situation that’s how I come up with an idea.
What do you think is your greatest struggle as a musician?
My greatest struggle currently it’s the budget for a video shoot, including the locations. The locations are always expensive, up to 30,000 sometimes.
Getting airplay has proven to be a difficult thing for many of our upcoming artists. How did you manage to get through?
All I can say is that Kenyans on Twitter made it happen. Most of the time, they could request my songs on radio stations and TV stations. Also, it’s hard for people to resist when you have a good song. For example, when I released ‘Form,’ over 30 DJs asked for the 3 pieces. I can say that you also have to market your song and be creative.
What is your take on the Kenyan music industry? And do you believe that the government has done enough to support local artists?
The problem with Kenyan music is that we don’t believe in our genres (Gengetone), and also Kenyans don’t like supporting their own to the end. If they support you today, expect them to troll you at the end of the day. But as much as that is involved when you release a song, they will still support you. On the other hand, we like jumping into new genres; look at Tanzania, they strictly do bongo, and they hit mad views.
I feel like the government doesn’t support Kenyan artists. Look at MCSK; that will tell you a lot we need change in this industry, honestly.
What are your fondest musical memories?
That would be the first time I did a song with Odi Wa Murang’a. It was like a dream being my first collabo. Secondly, the first time I performed in the 1824 club located in Langata. Also, having the chance to meet big artists like Fireboy DMl.
In what ways are you promoting your music?
Most of my fans are on Twitter. So I mostly use social media to promote my music and local DJs.
What should we expect from you going forward? Are there any additional future projects to share with us?
I’m currently working on a single “Party Cup,” which will drop next month; you all stay tuned.
Your parting shot
I would like to thank you all for the support and interview. Kindly subscribe to my YouTube channel; more is coming.
Your social media handles?
Twitter: Kilundeezy
Facebook: Kilundeezy
Instagram: kilu.ndeezy
Tik Tok: Kilundeezy
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About the Author
Jackson Ngari Jackson, is a Journalism Majors with an unbowed knack in writing. Besides writing, he’s mostly busy finding new artists to spice and spruce up his music playlist. He can as well curate a Spotify Catalog that best describes everything. Literally.
