Meet Amanda Wambui aka Maandy aka Kabaya, 23, a Kenyan professional recording artiste shares her life

How and when did you develop love for music?

My love for music started at a tender age. I’d always loved its elements and was always curious about it. So, music has been something deep-rooted in me.

What inspired you towards the art, especially the rap genre?

I always knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry, but I just wasn’t sure in which field exactly.

I started out as a deejay in 2016, and had a producer friend who encouraged me to try out rap since I had a background in poetry.

So, that’s how I morphed fully into rap and I haven’t looked back since.

Did your family support your decision to become a musician?

Yes, my mother and sister were fully supportive, and by extension, the rest of my family did.

I never experienced any friction with my art and that I am really appreciative about.

When did you decide to go professional?

I decided to go full throttle in 2016. I did my research and found out that music could be my full-time career, and yes, it became so. This must have been one of the best decisions I have made in life.

How has it been pursuing music at that professional level?

Just like in any other form of entrepreneurship, music career too has its ups and downs. So, I have always viewed it from a business perspective.

Finding producers, funding, and audio and video production among other aspects.

Basically, the whole process can be painstakingly tedious, but you just have to pull on through.

As a female artiste, what challenges do you face and how do you overcome them?

I wouldn’t say any challenges I face are tailored specifically for me just because of my gender.

I feel it is a major misconception in the industry. My challenges are just like the rest of the musicians.

They include airplay, putting out content and branding. The only way to overcome them is to create more visibility for me ,then everything falls in place.

When did you release your debut album and how did it perform in the market?

I released my first album Kabaya in 2019, and I’d say it opened up many doors for me while drawing attention to me as a rapper.

It performed very well and got more than 60,000 plays on music streaming platform Boomplay within the first week.

What’s your new album Frisky all about and what inspired its making?

Frisky is basically a metamorphosis of my sound and artistic reflection as a whole. It has various genres and elements.

I was inspired by the fact that I’ve experienced a lot since my last project and wanted my fans to also experience that.

My music is a reflection of what I go through in life, both directly and indirectly.

You’ve worked with some of Kenya’s best artistes. What lessons have you picked from these experiences?

Well, having worked with some of these acts, I’ve learnt that consistency is key and a bit of patience goes a long way.

Also having a great work ethic helps. I have worked with artistes such as Fena Gitu, Breeder LW and Boondocks X-Ray among others, and a host of top producers including Jacky B, Mavo, Wes, DJ Mura and Pari.

How have you leveraged the internet or social media to raise your profile as an artiste?

The internet has played a huge role in growing my art. For example, songs such as SNL blew up off Twitter while others such as Sultan had people dancing on TikTok.

Being at that level, I didn’t have much reach with mainstream media; I have utilised social media to also grow my fan base.

Have Kenyans showed you support thus far?

Absolutely! They have for the work that I have done thus far and continue showing much love. Much more to come.

Who are your music idols?

There are quite a few. I’d say Vybz Kartel, Spice, Nameless, Nicki, Lil Kim, Gregory Isaacs and many more.

Your last word…

I would like to thank everyone that has supported Kabaya thus far, and they should be on the lookout for the album and the hottest song on the streets right now.

Sirudi Home Remix ft Breeder LW and Ndovu Kuu. Connect with me on my socials @maandygram on Instagram and watch the video on my YouTube channel Maandy.