- Former Necessary Noise group member Bamzigi speaks about music, drug addiction and how he turned his life around
- Bamzigi made a name for himself with his single Bounce to this
You have lost a lot of weight, are you hitting the gym now?
(Laughs). After I quit drugs, I added a lot of weight and at one point, I was 100kgs! My family, especially my dad, used to make fun of me and they branded me ‘fat boy’.
I was determined to shed off the extra kilos. Recently, I fractured my arm and this inspired me to lose 15 kilos in two weeks. I think it is my diet.
Speaking of drugs, you were on the verge of being totally wasted...
I got into drugs due to the wrong company I kept. I had a pal who was hooked to heroin. I remember the first time I took it.
I threw up for more than 20 minutes but later, it made me feel good. It was soothing. I felt awesome.
Before I knew it, whenever I was stressed, heroin was the only thing that made me forget my problems.
You once claimed that heroin healed your heartbreak...
Yes. I had an argument with my then girlfriend and she walked out on me. I was in so much pain. I took the drug for three to four days. The effects were bad.
I was sick and felt like I had malaria. I even went to hospital to be tested but the results were negative. I called a pal of mine who told me if I took more heroin, I would feel better. And surprisingly, that is exactly what happened.
After that incident, it hit me that I was now addicted.
Did your parents know you were an addict?
Not at all. I was a good pretender. But it reached a point I couldn’t do it anymore. I had to come clean. I was scared of living the double life. Deep down, I knew I needed help.
But I understand it isn’t easy to keep off drugs if you are an addict. Was it the same case with you?
Trust me, it was a battle! I had so many relapses and it took willpower to say enough is enough. It has been a struggle, but I am happy I have been clean.
I am sure there is a drug addict reading this and wondering where to start. Any advice?
Ask for help. I know it’s scary, but this is not a battle you can win alone. Addiction is a disease.
Tell us about your upcoming project...
I am doing a bunch of projects. Late last year, I decided to get back into music fully. I released the songs, Form Ni Gani and Chini ya Meza ft DTX. I also did a track with a Nigerian star, Amota, titled Cheaters.
I also have a track with Wyre and working on another one with Eric Wainaina. I have my own studio and label called 3050 Muzik. I plan to work with Avril, Khaligraph, Nyashinshki and Sauti Sol.
