Did you always want to become a guitarist?
“I started my guitar passion when I was young, I had all sorts of guitar toys. Professionally, I took guitar classes in 2016 after that I landed a guitar job in a band that used to perform on the Radio, (Kameme Fm).
From there I would get into studio jobs. I have played guitar to more than 500 songs. I have worked with different artists among them Sammy K, Shiro wa GP, Chege wa Willy among many others.”
Despite being good on the strings, Chris is not pursuing what he studied on Campus.
“I studied at Chuka University, main campus where I pursued Economics & Sociology.
I would say the studies are helpful in my experiences but am not really on a career based on the profession.”
Chris shared that watching other artists perform inspired him to start writing his own music.
“I’ve been writing music even as a guitarist but I was not into recording. But I knew that someday I would eventually switch & get more into recording than playing.”
What is the biggest lesson being a guitarist taught him?
“I would say one of the things I’ve picked is that art needs patience. Most artists I have met have a story about their journey. The journey gives you the strength to stand strong, what comes easy leaves easy.”
Challenges?
“Wueh! Pesa. Nimenyang’anywa pesa mingi sana kwa ii industry.”
Chris credited his parents for their support. He describes his music as Afropop.
“Am very diverse & my upcoming projects will cut across many genres but my main is Afropop.
What inspires my music writing is everything in my day-to-day life. I write music from literally anything.”
Apart from music, Chris is a Business Administrator who looks forward to venturing into businesses in the near future.
A recent release by Google showed that Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz.
Do Kenyans support their own?
“We don’t support our own. But I believe a revolution is coming & eventually, we’ll have Kenyans for Kenyans in support of local art. What we see at Blankets & Wines is a whole new awakening.”
Chris was born in Murang’a but grew up in Thika. For someone currently living abroad, how is the experience compared to life back home?
“Life abroad in a first-world country is no joke. Social life is very abated. Many immigrants fall into depression coz they are mainly working chasing the crazy bills & you do that meet people occasionally like you do back home.”
In a past social media post Chris left many in stitches after admitting to stealing his mum’s knickers and using the band as a guitar string.
“My love for the strings🎸 didn’t start yesterday.
Story story… Paukwa… Tene tene múúno rí, at about 4 years of age.
I would steal panties Za mathee natoa bladder za kushikilia apo waist then nazifunga kwa kasuku and pretend to play the guitar (I dreamt big).
I took years doing that & my late grandpa❤️(may he continue resting in peace) was the only one who saw it in me.”
His grandpa made him a wooden guitar.
“He made me a wooden guitar-shaped thing (no strings).
Born & brought up in ushago, tukipika chapo ilikuasherehe.. we would all meet kukulia kwa shushu this time guka would give me the chance to sing to my relatives & fake to be playing the guitar as I sing with the “guitar” he made me.
Today, Am not really there but am a little(kidogo tu) living my dream with the guitar🎸. So, Hey Pal! Dream big & believe in your dreams. Parents support your kids on what you see in them when they are young.”
by PENINAH NJOKI
