“I HATED REGGAE BACK THEN, BUT NOW I SING REGGAE MUSIC” – TAMURAI CHIFU

From being guardian Angel’s schoolmate, to actually looking upto him as an icon of admiration, Tamurai Chifu adserts that his journey is one that is replete with coincidences and surprising encounters. He shares more of that in the following Interview.

TELL US BRIEFLY ABOUT YOURSELF

My real names is Brian Kiprotich, a student at University of Nairobi studying BA of Arts in mass communication.

WHEN DID YOUR PASSION FOR MUSIC BEGIN?

My passion for music started while in pre-school, I used to listen to a lot of radio back then the Juakali and Ukoo flani…funny in Primary I hated reggae and loved pop…in secondary I wrote my first verse which I turned into a song and the rest is history.

NOW THAT YOU ARE A GOSPEL ARTIST, DO YOU EVER GET TEMPTED TO DO SECULAR MUSIC?

Sometime yes…I think of addressing issues within the society that is bothering me…reason for songs like Fight and my biggest song Kenya dat we want..I think I have found a way to address such without crossing over to Secular.

WHOM DO YOU LOOK UPTO?

In Kenya Guardian angel (Funny we schooled together and by the time I was writing my music I loved reggae and loved God. He made me realize one can do a reggae song that is Gospel and ended my inner fight to choose btwn rasta and Christianity),Juliani…international KB and Gentleman.

TELL US ONE WEIRD FACT ABOUT YOU

I love sleeping and can sleep anywhere.

IF YOU WEREN’T DOING MUSIC, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

A producer editing movies.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS?

I see myself on the billboard charts among top reggae acts world wide.

HAVE YOU EVRR ENCOUNTERED REJECTION FROM A RADIO STATION?

Yes…thank God for internet nowdays one can push him/herself….I have learned the art of creating a community online that are always ready and willing to consume the content and music that I create…radio and TV are great but the future is better for any indie artist like me.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT PROJECT

I have put up my first album and it has done beyond my Expectations as an indie act..I plan for the whole year to do tours and performances promoting it…videos for the various songs with one set to drop before April.

ADVICE TO ANY ASPIRING MUSICIAN OUT THERETalent is just 10% or 5% of the music business the 90% comes from hard work,determination,focus and most Important good behavior…trust God to make a way for he always does so.