Pulse: Congratulations on your grand win. Has the prize money you won after clinching the Maisha Superstars win changed your life yet?
Phy: (Laughs) Not yet. The most important advice I received about the money was from Eric Wainaina who told me to save it in a fixed deposit account for six months before using it, and I did.
P: All that cash, I mean Sh1.2 million is just lying in the bank...
Phy: After trying out many competitions, I have learnt that life moves on with or without the millions. But the reason why he told me six months was because, by then, I would have become sober from the win and would make more rational decisions about money as compared to now when I have overwhelming urges and dreams.
P: Talking about many competitions, which others have you been part of?
Phy: Before joining Maisha Superstars, I had been in the Airtel Trace Music Stars competition, which gave me so much exposure and lessons that came in handy. I was first runner-up in the Kenyan auditions and won Sh100,000.
P: How then did you end up on Maisha Magic after losing out on Airtel Trace Music Stars?
Phy: I joined Maisha Superstars a few days after leaving the Airtel Trace competition. Kaka Rabbit was looking for rookies whom he would mentor in the show. Fortunately, he knew me and called me up to join the auditions and that is how I eventually got into Maisha Superstars.
P: How was it working with Rabbit?
Phy: In the few weeks that I had to work with Rabbit, I learnt so much about music and the industry than I ever would have done by myself. Sometimes I would cry because of the competition and pressure but we would sit and he would cheer me on. We even used to pray together. Winning the music competition was the crowning moment.
P: Did you say you used to pray with him..?
Phy: Yes! I was blessed to have him as a mentor because I got to see a side of him that not many people will ever get to see. But above all, I appreciate the fact that he gave his best shot and made me the best I could be.
P: After the competition and seeing how the mentors treated their rookies, if you were to pick another mentor apart from Rabbit, who would it be?
Phy: If not Rabbit, I would pick Nameless. He was a gem thanks to his inspirational advice and motivation, which I believed played a part in my winning as well.
P: Aside from the competition, how was it for your family and friends after the win?
Phy: It was overwhelmingly beautiful. I am quite the church person and it was great to see that my church peeps showed up in a bus simply to come and support me during the competition. Even better was my family who were there with me each step of the way.
P: Was your family ever interested in music?
Phy: Funny thing is that my grandmother was quite the musician; she even has albums which made huge sales back in the day because she had a loyal following. Her songs were mostly in Kikuyu and to date I always hope that I can be as industrious and successful as she was.
P: So your parents always groomed you to become a musician?
Phy: Not really. After my high school, I joined the several music schools including the Kenya Conservatoire where I learnt music and instruments. At that time I honestly did not want to do music, so I joined the University of Nairobi and took up a course in Real Estate. I was in Third Year when the music called and I had to defer my semesters. I am so glad that it was worth it.
P: From real estate to music, how did you even start the band on your own?
Phy: It was all about adventure. I used to sing in school and church. One time we had a poetry session so my friends and I quickly formed ‘Phy and the Band’ and went on to do a quick presentation. Soon we were performing at different gigs and made our name.
P: Many have won competitions and soon after disappeared into oblivion. How do you intend to stay relevant?
Phy: Until you walk in their shoes you may never understand their story. But for me I am not after being the best by all means. Instead, I hope to bring change to the music industry and perfect my art such that people will simply applaud me as the best and I will leave a notable mark if I ever leave the music business.
