I consider myself boring- Popular singer Atemi

By Shirley Genga | 7yrs ago | 4 min read

You have lost a lot of weight. What was the inspiration behind the move?

I began this year very determined to live and make healthy life choices, and so far, I have lost 27 kilos. I had to make many difficult decisions to get here.

In fact, I often say anything worth having must cost you something and if it was easy, everyone would do it. There is no magic pill or answer, just plain old hard work and discipline.

What have you been up to in 2016?

I did a show last month called Live Dimensions together with Fena Gitu. I have also released two songs, one with lady Jaydee(Moyo) and another earlier in the year called Kama We with Khaligraph Jones, and I am working on my third album.

Your new songs seem to have a new sound, not your usual neo-soul swag, is that intentional?

My new songs have a different sound from my usual neo-soul. It is closer to Afro-pop. My taste in music is evolving. I am now more drawn to the African sound. I want to be pro-active and pro-African.

I don’t want people to be confused about the origin of my music. I want them to hear my music and know without a doubt that it is African music. I loved neo-soul, but it was harder for people to know the origins of my music.

I believe that many thought my neo-soul music was too posh or too upmarket. But with my new sound, I want to be more inclusive.

My first two albums, Hatimaye (2008) and Manzili (2013), were mainly neo-soul. However, I hope that the sound will be still familiar even if it’s different in my new album.

What is your biggest career regret?

That I did not take formal music classes when I was younger. I eventually took some classes, but I wish I had done it in my teenage years.

So far, what has been your highest career moment?

I really cannot put a finger on one thing, as I have been privileged to experience so much great highs. Plus, I do not want to jinx future possibilities.

However, notable moments in my career include when I released both my albums, every time I release a new single, whenever I do a successful show, and when I represented Kenya at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2014 in Washington DC.

When you look at today’s music industry, who would you love to collaborate with?

I absolutely love Sage, she has a wonderful sound and she is a great song writer. In Nigeria, I would love to do a song with Flavour, I love him.

Also Tiwa Savage, especially right now, she is elegant but also able to relate with people. I love that. Of course there is Khaligraph Jones, with whom I have already worked with this year.

You have managed to have a lasting career when many of those who you started with have fallen by the way side. How do you remain relevant?

Embracing change by learning to reinvent yourself constantly in this ever-evolving music industry. Also, you have to stay true to yourself as a musician, and that means constantly putting out new material.

You have also been able to steer clear of any scandal, unlike most stars. What is your secret?

I don’t know because everyone has a story, something they are doing that they are not proud of. I guess people are not so interested in digging dirt about me (laughs), or maybe it’s because I am boring.

I am an introvert and I love to not only spend time alone, but I love staying home as well. For the last five or six years, my life has been work and home. I often feel like I am socially awkward (laughs) because I simply do not like to go out at all, except may be to catch a movie.

My ideal way to hang out with friends is to either go to a friend’s place or invite them over and have good food, wine and great conversation.

Are you dating?

No, I am not, but I am very hopeful and open.

What do you have planned for your fans for the rest of 2016?

I plan to write songs for my album which will be out next year, to release one more single and its video before the end of the year, and to host a successful Christmas event.