Unveiling Scott the violinist

Scott Kabugi

SCOTT KABUGI, 21, is handy with the violin. SHIRLEY GENGA unveils a youth who chose to follow an unbeaten path and is now enjoying the yield.

Q: How long have you been playing the violin?

SK:  It has been four years now.

Q: What is it about the violin that captivates you?

SK: Its uniqueness, elegance and class. This form of art is one that few have dared to pursue and perfect; its musicality, too, is striking and requires a personal approach.

Q: When did you decide to turn it into a viable career?

SK: I started performing at events when I was in high school.  During the school holidays, people would approach me, asking me to perform at their events, especially weddings. The numbers attracted to my talent and skill, and their resulting satisfaction gave me a good idea of what to expect in the future. I saw it viable to invest in it.

 

Q: Classical music is not big locally, yet you have managed to make a name for yourself where others have failed. What is your secret?

SK: This is business; it is all about studying the market, identifying opportunity, owning it and simplifying it for your audience in such a way that they can relate to it within the first five seconds of your performance. With this laid out, all one can do is wait and trust for magic to happen. 

 Q: What are some of the challenges you face?

SK: The biggest is the fact that my sound is still different compared to what the local music scene has experienced. Popularising my style of music, therefore, has not been easy. 

Q: How long have you been performing? Career highlights?

SK: It has been three years since my first serious gig. My career high was when I performed the theme song for the Heineken Champions League Final at the Carnivore Restaurant. That set the benchmark for me because international brands took note of my expertise and gates for lucrative projects opened.

Q:  Apart from the violin, what other instrument can you play?

SK: I play a variety of percussion instruments, a bit of guitar and the flute as well.

Q: You also have a famous brother; tell us a little about him...

SK: My older brother is called Deejay Protégé and he is definitely the professor of dance, trance and techno music. He has plied his trade for a while now, at a high level for that matter, and has built a well-established network. In fact, I took advantage of this base, performing at his events, before I gradually secured my own reliable individual and corporate connections.

Q: What else takes up your time apart from the violin?

SK: I am also a Public Relations (PR) student at the University of Nairobi.

Q: Do you see your education and talent crossing paths?

SK:  PR is my other passion and I believe it will support my professional violinist career. I plan to use

my knowledge in PR to create a larger platform where I can maximise my potential. It will help me market myself better, expand and retain my following. I intent to harness the PR

and marketing experience I have will gain from both music and school for other businesses as well.

Q: How do you balance books and your music career? 

SK: Most of my day is spent on schoolwork. When dusk beckons, my money-chasing cloak comes on.

Q: Do you think school is important or should one just rely on talent? 

SK: Studying is definitely important. It enables one come up with creative ways of building a sustainable career out of talent.

Q: Tell us a little about your background?

SK: We are only two children in my family: My older brother and I. We were brought up in Eastleigh’s California estate by a single parent, my hero, my father professor Thomas Mwangi. I attended Wankan Academy in Ruiru and Upper Hill School in Nairobi. 

Q: What is your biggest fear?

SK: Snakes and spiders spook me. They bring out the chicken in me.

Q: You have an interesting dressing style.  Do you have a name for it? Where do you draw your inspiration?

SK: Credits go to Rajab Karume stores. The fact that Scott the brand stands out inspires me to be different even when it comes to my wardrobe that I would refer to as urban class’.

Q:  What do you do for fun?

SK: I enjoy travelling, swimming, dancing and socialising.

Q: What are your future plans?

SK: I am currently working on a few albums of different genres.

Q: What one thing don’t people know about you?

SK: (chuckling) That I am single.

Deputy governor Adeline Mwau has criticized the latest move, saying neither her nor the governor has send any one to attack the MCAs.

“MCAs must be respected as elected leaders of this county. We have not instructed any one to insult or assault our assembly members. I want to caution residents of this county against taking the law in their hands,” said Mwau, after attending one of the sittings at Malili to broker a truce between the office of the governor and the assembly.

Mwau said impeaching the governor is not a viable solution to the differences between the executive and the assembly. She called for quick negotiations to end the stalemate that she said, jeopardize the county’s development agenda.