×
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
  • Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
  • The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
  • P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
  • Email: [email protected]

Rapper Bobby Mapesa - I am saved and this new gospel song is a testament to my conversion

Swimming

Bobby does not take minutes to start complaining that he will forever be misunderstood. With his new gospel song and an upcoming 5-song EP named Mtoto Wa Mungu set to hit the streets before the year ends, he explains that everything in his life is a spur of the moment.

“Yes, I am saved,” he answers my question whether the new song is testament to his conversion.

“I am always saved; it is just that like any human being, I get derailed from time to time. I have a relationship with God which I was not sure of before but when I sat down and thought of all the bad things He has delivered me from, I am at a period when I only get to praise Him. Most of my friends are either dead, or in Kamiti. I have a purpose, and He is working through my talent,” he adds.

Then, out of the blue, he starts to talk about Mercy Masika. “I would like to work with her. I like her voice; it is just like mine, the voice of a star. I am not sure if she will agree, but I shall try,” he says of the Nikupendeze singer.

Is this a gimmick to get relevance in an industry that seems to have moved on from artistes that ruled the charts in the first half of the 2000s?

“It hurts me to see artistes do gospel music just to get on the chart and get women. I do it because I am inspired to do gospel songs. I do not need to build a name. I have one....” he says. Bobby came into the limelight as one half of Bugz, the duo that gave the country the racy Naskia Utam. Almost all his songs are racy, including the video-driven Mtoto Mzuri remix, a better version of Nonini’s song of the same name.

When he resurfaced this year and did Tuzidi with Calvo Mistari, Bobby raised the heat after claiming he whitewashed the Genge godfather on his own song.

“Nonini’s beef is not over, but I shall let my God fight my battles,” Bobby says excitedly.

“He (Nonini) owes me almost Sh3 million from that song, and he knows it. I made that song popular and all his perceived wealth is from Mtoto Mzuri. By the way, he should upgrade from the Toyota he has been driving for the longest time possible,” says Bobby.

Nonini and members of P-Unit have always chided him of being an irony; calling himself “Mapesa” when he does not own anything...

“I am not a car enthusiast. I have three bikes, including a Ducatti 3000cc. I own a beach house at the coast, where I currently live, which I got from my father. It’s true I do not drive, but it’s by choice,” he defends himself, especially in light of accusations by some fans that he was washed out and living off naive young ladies in some suburb along Thika Road.

Despite being saved, his old traits are evident and he comes out spoiling for a fight.

“Bobby is the artiste who will go for two years but come back as the same. I am not like Jaguar who goes to South Africa to shoot a video. My fans know my worth and they like the Bobby who raps real things,” he explains.

He ropes in other names.

“Bobby is not the artiste who Caroline Mutoko or Maina Kageni needs to push through the charts. I am not an artiste that relies on being on a playlist or on heavy rotation. People will always talk about me and ask for my music. I am the bus driver and the likes of P-Unit are just Tuk Tuks. They make noise but passengers do not trust them,” he says.

Bobby, at this point, goes unhinged.

“We know they do it for the women. I can tell you many artistes are being bankrolled by older women. That is cheap,” he concludes.

 

Related Topics


.

Popular this week

.

Latest Articles