CHUMBA, MEMBER OF AFROCENTRIC, SHARES HIS MUSICAL JOURNEY

It is a crew that has waved a wind of authenticity in the Kenyan music industry, with one of the crew members featuring in Khaligraph Jones’ Khali khatel 2. We catch up with one of their crew members to crack the nut.

Tell us briefly about yourself

I am Chumba, a member of Afrocentric music. The group is made up of four members, Hassanow, John More, Katapilla and myself. Dancehall and rap is the the type of music I do working under Redtapenation.

How did Afrocentric come about?

Afrocentric was officially formed in 2017. We all met in campus,
though we all had been friends since 2016. When we joined campus, we saw  potential in each of us  and decided to form a crew that was going to revolutionize the Kenyan music industry. Plus ,we all study together which is an advantage for us to work on our music.

One of your crew member, Katapilla was featured on Khali Khatel 2,how did that have an impact on you as a crew?

Katapilla’s collabo was great for exposure and obviously after the cypher, most people checked him out on YouTube which in turn increased our viewership and subscription. Yes, through the exposure, we got to work with other people who saw potential in us , the likes of director Rango who shot our single, NGWAI.

Which song did you find hard writing?

It has never been difficult for me to write any song, because I’ve  got my bros with me and that’s enough vibe to come up with something creative. We right about our personal experiences and it can’t be challenging because  it’s what we all go through or what our friends go through. So it’s more like narrating one’s story using a song. (chuckles)It can’t be that hard for four  hungry minds working together.

Apart from music, what else do you do?

I am a student, an entrepreneur and a visual creator.
I also do photography and videography. The good thing is, soon we won’t be paying these directors a dime.

What should your fans expect from you this year?

I have an EP coming up later this year. Its called Loveshot, Mmmhh, it’s  all about stories from my past and current relationships, how they inspired or rather changed my perspective to life as a whole. I will be featuring Afrocentric, obviously, Badgal Shee and Taji(artists that we work with) produced by Tasla on the beat, Redtapenation. The EP has an Afro-dancehall vibe. I consider it the best I have ever written, so to our fans, watch out for your boy.

2020 is clearly messed by the Covid-19,  how has this affected you as an artist?

This pandemic has altered our studio sessions, we can’t record since we all live in  different locations. That means, we have to release pre-recorded music. It  has delayed the completion of my EP and video shoots. We can no longer go for events and performances. This pandemic sucks bigtime, though ,we are hopeful that it’s going to end soon and life gets back to normal.

If you were to date one Kenyan celebrity whom would it be?

Silverstone Bars.

How can you describe the type of music that you do?

Well, I am into afro fusion and hiphop so that’s what i basically do. It’s different from the other genres of music you all listen to because my kind of music is a fusion of RnB ,dancehall, coastal  sounds and rap  fused together in one track. We as well decide to go all hiphop and works still but all i can say is Afrocentric music is  a full recipe of what music should be.

Which is the worst thing a fan has ever told you?

I don’t think there is any that has struck my mind but there is this time someone told me that I am a wannabe (laughs) I just laughed because, you know people judge allot till they realize that some of us live what they rhyme.

Which advice keeps you moving?

No hard work goes unappreciated and I don’t think there’s any crew as talented and hardworking as we are.

Partying shot

If you haven’t heard about Afrocentric then you are sleeping on Kenyan pride. Go on YouTube and stalk our channel. Subscribe if you’ll like what you see. We’ve got allot in store for you’ll.

Your social media handles?

Instagram-@chumba_afrocentric
                 
                     @afrocentric_music_ke

Facebook-  @brian chumba

Youtube- Afrocentric