By Stevens Muendo
Step aside Akon; there is a new kid on the block ready for stardom. The fast rising UK-born Kenyan singer Kanja Muchoki aka Afrikan King is now ready to join the big league and follow in the Senegalese-born singer’s footsteps after scooping the coveted Black Entertainment Television (B.E.T’s) 106 and Park Win on Wild Out.
"I was shocked when my name was called out as the winner of B.E.T’s 106 and Park Win on Wild Out. Back then, I was still unknown to many," says Kanja.
The singer won the prestigious honour last year in October defeating many contestants. Kanja is now doing well musically and is expected to grace the awards again this year.
"I will be performing on B.E.T in August with a record label backing me for more international exposure. Around the same time my debut album will be released," says the singer who has also appeared in major college plays including Grease, Smokey Joe’s CafÈ and One Independent film besides appearing in films that will be coming out in Hollywood.
But when the news filtered back to Kenya that the little known 22-year-old R&B and hip-hop artiste had scooped the coveted B.E.T award the question on many industry proponents lips was: Kanja is who? Well, Kanja was in Kenya this week and hooked up with Pulse to narrate his feat.
"I have lived abroad all my life. I was born in London. In fact, my parents met there. Last year I graduated from Hampton University and have been in entertainment since my childhood," says the flashy clad lad in a twang.
Cool and collected, the Performing Arts graduate recalls his showbiz breakthrough with nostalgia.
It was just another afternoon in campus when a reputable music director came calling. Pat Charles, the head writer and casting director of B.E.T’s 106 and Park Wild Out was in the neighbourhood searching for talent.
"At Hampton, I made most of my music connections. My management had invited Charles down there during the freestyle battle. Many lads auditioned on Freestyle Friday," he explains "They performed original songs but Charles was not satisfied with what he saw. I was called up next and I performed my (now hit song) 5-10 Minutes. He loved it because of the unique sound," he adds.
The moment defined his breakthrough.
Charles was impressed and the young Kenyan was chosen as the only male to perform on B.E.T’s 106 & Park Wild Out to represent the country and Africa.
"I started my game as a rapper. But I soon ventured into a new African hip-hop and R&B sound. This made me sound distinct from the rest.
"When they hear my foreign accent, they wonder how am able to drop Kikuyu lyrics. But the thing is, my country (Kenya) runs through my veins. I’ve got to represent it," he remarks.
The hip-hop and R&B singer is now ruffling feathers across the Atlantic — at the land of milk and honey.
His rise to the top and international appeal has seen critics tout him as the next big thing. And he is doing well, performing in numerous concerts across the United States, Sweden and UK.
With fame and fortune beckoning, the Kenyan singer utilised the opportunity and proved his lyrical prowess by beating all his competitors during the B.E.T night. It was unbelievable. The feeling was awesome.
His status had suddenly transformed from the minnow Kenyan rapper to an international star with his name getting mention under the same breath with acclaimed R&B and hip-hop aces. It then hit him that he was destined for stardom.
"It was around this time that I met another Kenyan singer called Naomi Wambui, a sister to the current Miss Kenya USA Angela. We wrote the song Shortly say Ey and recorded it at Va Beach. Amazingly, it became an instant hit," he quips, shaking his head in disbelief on how everything was turning too good too fast.
Major record labels in the US and celebrated stars have been trailing him seeking to work with him.
Right now, Kanja has become a big name in UK with his singles Shortly say Ey, Cry for You (dedicated to Africa), and Take It and the B.E.T winning 5-10 minutes doing well.
He has graced the big stage with major stars like neo-soul recording artiste, Raheem Devaughn, J Holiday, Slim, Latoya Luckett, Fabolous and Beenie Man among others.
And with this, the floodgates have opened for the Afrikan King who maintains that the sky is the limit.
Regardless his newly attained great feat, Kanja remains humble and focused. Above all, he is keen to build his name back home even as he looks forward to conquering the world.
