All about Alisha

The vibrant Alisha Popat, 25, talks to SHIRLEY GENGA about her passion for music, performing at the World Cup and her future plans

Tell us about your childhood?

I am one of two siblings. My brother and I are very close. I went to Kenton College for my primary schooling. I then spent a year in Premier Academy before I moved to South Africa when I was 14 to attend the Wykeham Collegiate School in Pietermeritzburg.

I knew very early on in life that my path was set in the arts and in music and Wykeham Collegiate is famous for its Art and Music Department.

What type of child were you?

Alisha Popat

I was not the kind who got into trouble. I was always busy with plays, music and sports. When I was not busy with these activities, I was content to stay home with my family. I come from a very close-knit family and so home has always been my place to hang out.

Was it a nice experience studying abroad at a young age?

Leaving home and going to another country at the age of 14 was not an easy change for me. I missed my a family but at the same time the experience made me more independent and exposed me to an environment which helped me nurture my talent and passion for music.

I got to experience new things, different cultures and even started an Indie rock band with some friends. It was a great experience for me.

After high school what next?

I finished my high school in 2004 and then joined University of Cape Town to study Journalism and Media. I came back to Kenya in 2008 after completing my degree. I worked at X-FM and East FM as a news anchor. It was an interesting and educative experience. I was thrown head first into the deep end and I learnt a lot.

After a year, I decided to go back to South Africa and get my honours degree in media (equivalent to a masters) in 2009. There I had an ‘aha’ moment I realised I was still very young and if I did not follow my passion then, my chance might pass. So I decided to take a year off before joining school to work and horn my singing.

I believe that the best thing you can do for yourself is to take a chance on your God-given passion. I worked as a singer and MC at a local joint and through the experience, got stage confidence and even started recording music.

Last year was a good year for you, tell us about that?

In 2009, I took a chance and started singing professionally. Although I had grown musically in 2009 and was still growing, I decided to go back to school. While in school, I heard about an amazing opportunity to perform at the World Cup.

Salim and Suleiman Merchant, music superstars from India, were working with Eric Wainaina and Loyiso Bala from South Africa and they were looking for a vocal back-up singer. I sent my demo and they liked what they heard. This was a major breakthrough and I got the chance at the kick off concert for the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa.

We performed the song Africa - You’re the Star in front of a crowd of over 80,000 people. It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget. It was the confirmation that I was on the right track. When I was done, I was back in school to finish my project, but I knew that music was the direction I wanted to follow.

What project did you hand in for your honours degree?

I had the option of doing a thesis or creative project or a book. I chose to do a book and to write stories about inspiring women. One of the women I wrote about is Sylvia Soo, a Korean woman who got cancer at the age of 23 and survived. I wanted to do something that would inspire people.

When did you come back to Kenya?

After completing my honours degree I stayed in Cape Town promoting my music and performing at gigs. But early in 2011 I decided to come back home and make a change.

What type of music do you love?

I like acoustic rock, jazz and blues all blended together. My favourite singers are: Adele, Rosy go-land, Dido and Brian Adams

Has it been hard recording the type of music you do?

It is very hard to find a Kenyan recording house that produces my sound. I have come to the realisation that while I can record the kind of sound I like, I also need to compromise and also do some songs with a Kenyan sound. So I will record some songs here and fly out and produce other songs outside the country.

The dream producers I would like to work with are: South African artiste Leeleo, Indian artiste Abhijeck Vchgani and Andy Wild from London.

Which Kenyan artistes have you worked with?

I am working with a lot of different people locally. My single ‘Mena pyaar Kiya’, which means forbidden love and features Mustafa is out. I love the end result of the Kenyan and Indian sound. It is fun and catchy.

Who do you admire most in the Kenyan industry?

That would have to be Sauti Sol. Their sound is so different and unique. They put so many aspects of music together into a single song and the end result is impressive. It is a pleasure to listen to their music.

What challenges have you faced musically?

My biggest challenge is getting gigs, but that is the same for any new artist. So I need to push myself out there and make a name for myself and the gigs will follow thereafter.

You were rumoured to be dating Mustafa?

No. I am not dating him.

Are you currently dating anyone?

Yes I am. My boyfriend lives in South Africa. Now that I am back home getting my career on the ground, our relationship is long distance. It was not an easy decision to come back home and do music as my heart is in Cape Town.

I have not seen him in six months and it is crazy. But we will be together over the holidays. Although we miss each other we are both working on a plan to get further in our relationship and work. He is very inspiring and is in fact the one who encouraged me to take time to grow my music.

Advice to aspiring musicians?

Follow your passion and through that inspire other people instead of allowing yourself to get stuck in the rat race. Also never settle for less.

Apart from music what else do you do?

I believe that music has the power to change lives. Music is an International language that everyone understands. Apart from building my career I sing for a number of charities that include: Pink Drive, Bobs For Good and Red Socks.

Future Plans

I want to finish my album and get as many gigs as possible. I would also love to open up a music foundation for underprivileged and impoverished children in rural schools who do not get an adequate education. I want to help empower them early in life. Empowering people creatively through music, performance art, design, spoken word and dance and other forms of art, that is my goal.