Emerging from damning controversies back at home and squirrelled away in South Africa for three months now, the Kenyan BBA finalist, Jackson Makini aka CMB Prezzo, has redefined his showbiz career as he hits continental fame and eyes the Sh24 million cash prize.
As he walked into the Big Brother StarGame (BBA) house in Jo’burg 89 days ago, today, the happy-go rapper, had more enemies than friends.
“I have come to bring you action,” were his words to Africa, a promise he has so far lived upto.
His word’s were cut from his hit single, Naleta Action and was symbolic of his return to the showbiz helm.
As usual, Prezzo was oozing attitude as he warned other contestants in his big baritone voice that he was cut out for the big showdown. But who would believe him?
Goldie Love
His audacity not withstanding, a damning hate campaign schemed by his haters immediately hit local blogs and even spread to the BBA official site. Deliberate attempts were made to portray him badly especially after he took on the South African contestant, Barbz.
His love interest in the House, Nigeria’s Goldie, was probably collateral damage of this hate campaign, as she bowed out earlier on.
Housemates, even his countryman Alex ganged against him and nominated him week after week. The ‘Prezzo must go home’ campaign spurted on, strangely losing steam with every weekend stop. Just as his controversy has been on Kenyans’ lips, he had Africa spellbound; and Africa loved the man.
Credited as the rapper who brought in swag to the East African showbiz industry after he christened himself the ‘King of Bling Bling’ — as he posed trendy wear, rolled in an entourage, showed up in choppers at events and heavy security with many adoring him — Prezzo was perceived by many as a two-faceted singer whose private side remained a mystery for years, despite a very public persona. He has never cared who hates or likes him. He simply lives it up!
After his Ma-fans, Nipe Nikupe and Nalete Action hit singles propelled him to regional sphere around 2006 to 2008, Prezzo went under as word went round that he had run broke. His wife Daisy was filing for divorce. He then got involved in a gun shoot-out which almost cost his life.
All these dark intrigues became fodder for the media and as negative publicity shadowed his life, Prezzo’s once bright singing career seemingly dimmed.
Return of the King
But last year, the rapper re-emerged oozing freshness as his new 4 Sho 4 Shizzo song hit the airwaves. Then there he was getting his second shot at fame in the BBA house.
Just how big a phenomenon he has become was clear on Monday when Prime Minister Raila Odinga became the first senior cabinet member to publicly campaign for Prezzo, who has now proved pundits wrong by becoming the first Kenyan to reach the BBA finals and more so, as a top favourite to win the Sh24 million winner’s prize.
“I would like to encourage Kenyans to come together in large numbers and vote for Prezzo on @BigBroAfrica. #TeamPrezzo,” the Premier tweeted.
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A week ago, another presidential candidate and top politician, Uhuru Kenyatta, said he was behind Prezzo just after nominated MP Rachel Shebesh, went on an interview saying she was voting for Prezzo.
“You know, anyone who brands the country has a bigger thinking. Every time Prezzo is in that house you can see Kenya, whether it’s the flag or whatever it is,” Shebesh said.
It is the first time Kenya’s Big Brother fans have shown unwavering support to a BBA representative and top singing celebrities, including Nonini and erstwhile nemesis Jaguar are at the forefront campaigning for Prezzo to bring the cash home, come Sunday.