Rapper, Grandpa boss retires from showbiz

A leading local musician who is also the CEO of Grandpa Records Yusuf Noah popularly known as Refigah enjoys a cake at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on Thursday, October 15, 2020, when he celebrated his 39th birthday. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Yusuf Noah has retired from showbiz, after successfully setting up and running a continentally-recognised entertainment outfit, Grandpa Records for over 15 years.

Having quit singing to focus on music production in 2007, Refigah, as he is popularly known in the entertainment scene, yesterday announced he had hung the boots to open a new chapter in his life.

“I have been in this industry for long and I believe I have given my full share of contribution. I saw my singing career grow to the peak before moving into music production and events, a venture that saw me make Kenyan artistes popular across East Africa through tours,” Refigah told The Saturday Standard yesterday.

“I want to pave the way for others to grow. If you look back and see the number of successful artistes who pride themselves on having started their career at Grandpa Records, then you will bear me witness that when the history of the Kenyan music journey will be written, for sure, my name will be there,” said the man who started his showbiz career in Kibra, where his next venture starts.

Having worked with some of the biggest artistes in the country, of the early 2000s such as Wyre, Sauti Sol, DNA, Kenrazy, Dufla, Mejja, Cindy Sanyu and Amileena;  and Jackie Chandiru and Professor Jay from Uganda and Tanzania respectively, Refigah remains a most accomplished entertainment.

"I have watched the Kenyan music industry grow from scratch. I started my music career when no radio station was playing Kenyan music, and when it was a challenge for an upcoming musician to be recorded, I can call myself a history maker. I was the first person to establish a recording studio in Kibra. I have been in the game for 23 years now, and that informs why I decided to call my stable Grandpa,” said the entertainer who used Sh20,000 to start the recording studio.

Refigah, who used to be a rap star, is Nubian; he has been supporting the athno-linguistic Nubian community in Kibra slums through his Simama na Kibra movement.

"Over the years, talent in this area has been left to wash down the drain, leaving most youth in desperation. We will focus on offering training in sports and arts. If well tapped, the talent could be a great source of livelihood for the majority of youth and families in this area," said Refigah.