From Mombasa to Nairobi in pursuit of a musical dream

BUZZ: Is Otile Brown your real name?

No, it’s a nickname.

What is your real name?

I’d rather keep people guessing because I don’t like it.

Have you thought of changing it legally?

Yes, and I could. But even though I dislike it, I treasure it as well because it’s the name my mother (RIP) gave me. She gave it to me out of love and I value it, especially since she’s no longer here.

When did you officially join the music industry?

It’s been about a year now... and in that time I’ve released a couple of singles and collaborations with some of the best rappers in Kenya — like Khaligraph and King Kaka.

Did you have a godfather, or a figure of some sort, to guide you?

Not really, but Jalang’o pointed me in the right direction. He gave me two options, to choose either Wyre or Dr Eddie to be my producer. I chose Eddie.

Why not Wyre?

Because he is very busy. He is an artiste like me and I needed someone who could give me their full attention.

Were you born in Mombasa?

Yes.

Does that make you a Mombasa or Nairobi artiste?

I find it awkward when people talk about a Mombasa or Nairobi artiste, or industry for that matter. It does not make sense to me. Yes, I was born in Mombasa, Mikindani, but I’m an artiste representing Kenya, East Africa and Africa.

When did you relocate?

In 2003. I had a job in Mombasa and, whenever I saved enough money, I would come to Nairobi. I was a musician but I didn’t do it commercially. I wasn’t ready yet to put myself out there because I didn’t think I was good enough. I figured out going back and forth between Mombasa and Nairobi wouldn’t help me stabilise my career and Dr Eddie offered to house me.

In his own house?

Yes

For how long?

For about seven months and then I moved out. He has a big mansion; sometimes we wouldn’t even see each other for three days and had to call each other to find out if either of us was in the house.

The blogs have it that you used to sell ‘chang’aa’ before you got into music...

Yes, I had to. I know how far I’ve come and that’s why I’m so hungry in this game, waiting for my moment when I get to the top. I know I’m headed there. My mom died when I was about to turn 13. I don’t like talking about it but I don’t shy away from speaking about it because I know it could motivate someone. Sometimes when I would get caught, the officers would frogmarch me past the school compound where other children would see me. It was embarrassing. I didn’t like doing it but I had to survive.

Most of your songs are about love; are you in love?

Not at the moment.

Where do you get the inspiration from?

It’s my job, it’s my business. I don’t have to go through it to sing it. If I make my listeners feel like I’m in love and get them to feel a certain way, then my job is done. I don’t have to go through something to get an idea of what to sing about, but when it touches someone out there and inspires them...

Have you ever been deeply in love?

Yes I have, it was intense. There was this woman back in Mombasa; we went to a party together and she got drunk and just when guys were leaving she trashed the whole place. I took the blame even though the neighbours clearly saw her do it. I still insisted it was me. I spent a week in the cells before I was bailed out.

What is the genre of your music?

It’s called Kunidzia. Tanzanians call it Bongo but from my knowledge it is derived from the Arabs, which the Mijikenda borrowed.

You featured King Kaka on the song ‘Alivyonipenda’. How did you meet?

We met at iClub and exchanged phone numbers. I remember he told me he had an idea for a song he wanted us to work on together. I sent my verses and chorus and stuff but before that I told him there’s a song I wanted to feature him in. He agreed. I sent it and he liked it.

This was ‘Alivyonipenda’?

Yes.

What happened to the first one?

This industry is funny. I know people who have many songs but have never released them. Things keep changing really fast, beats, style…

Why is that?

People get a lot of advice from people who think they know best. There’s a big artiste in the industry (I won’t mention the name) with whom I did a song. I’m just exhausted because he keeps changing his verse, about four times now. So when he was ready to release it, it wasn’t the right time for me. There are songs that you do but the timing is never right and they never see the light of day.

What about Khaligraph? What was your first reaction when you met him?

He’s not the arrogant person people think he is. I’ve known Khaligraph for a while now and he’s the coolest guy ever. People judge others unfairly. Don’t believe everything you see on television.

I see you like your jewellery; what’s your preference, earrings or necklaces?

I like to keep it simple; I could do either or both.

Are your songs played on urban radio?

They are, but not on rotation and I don’t think I’m the only one with that problem. But things are changing; nowadays you don’t have to beg people to play your songs on radio since we have YouTube. We are, however, at a time when the deejays are sort of the bosses in terms of what gets played in the clubs. Some of them are selfish, greedy and not patriotic and have lost all sense of professionalism. I don’t know how they feel when they keep playing foreign music yet there’s so much great music here to choose from.

You have fans on social media who urge you to relocate to Tanzania because they think your talent will wither in Kenya

I know I can be bigger in Tanzania but even with all the issues here I’m still loyal and patriotic. I will put our country on the global map.