Journalist Lydiah Nyawira of The Highland Tribune in conjunction with Nyeri Online goes one on one with Kidum giving a perspective on his music, life and personal tastes at his live performance in Nyeri.

Ten Minutes with….. Kidum

Nyeri Town entertainment scene came alive for a live performance from Kidum And the boda boda band on 29^th April, at Banana Leaf hotel, Nyeri town.

For most Nyeri resident it was an opportunity to experience the popular artist in live concert and enjoy his popular hits such as ‘Mapenzi’ and Kidum did not disappoint. Once he took the stage the crowd was on its feet and sang along to his tunes enthusiastically. The Highland Tribune and Nyeri Online radio got a chance to interview the artist on his personal life and journey in the industry,

Is this your first performance in Nyeri? 

No I have been here before I was well know, I performed at the Outspan about 5 years ago, for a small crowd and though the money was not much the crowd and people of Nyeri really enjoyed my performance and I enjoyed the place and liked the response.

Where did the name Boda boda come from? 

When I was at the Kenya Tanzanian Border about 10 years ago to crossing into Kenya; I noticed that boda boda transporters were able to get through without much hassle from the authorities. We used to pay to a fee to cross the borders back then and the whole situation inspired me I wanted my music to cross borders as effortless as the boda bodas did at the border.

So when I started the band that was the name I gave it.

What is your favorite love song and who inspired you to write it? 

I love all my music but ‘Mapenzi’ is one song that if forced to pick a favorite I would choose as my favourite. I wrote that song from personal experience the first few times I performed it made me weep because I had so much emotion for what the words meant to me and I think the reason it’s a hit is because people relate to it as well and feel the passion in the words.

Which charity gigs have you done that were close to your heart? 

Well I have been a part of many charity gigs such as like the peace concert in Burundi which I was invited by former President, Pierre Buyoya.

The one I cherish most is a one I performed at in Rwanda in which the proceeds went to street children. Street children and families are a very big concern, for me personally I sometimes have donated entire proceeds from gigs to charities working to change the lives of street children.

 

On a lighter note what is your favorite food from Kenya and Burundi? 

I love rice and beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, whole nutritious traditional foods… am not a big fan of meat dishes though.

How does it feel to have a tight and busy showbiz schedule? 

Its wonderful, its really a blessing from God to be able to travel and do what I love to do meet people and I love it.

I like to find that people enjoy the music we share with them and it inspires me. I feel very blessed to be able to do this.

How do you balance this schedule with your family life we understand that you are married to Francine and have children? 

Well I will be honest when I started out in this business it was not as hectic as it is now.

Its become increasingly difficult to balance the two I feel like am married to music and this is putting a very serious strain on my family, my gigs are taking up all my time, I travel weekends holiday. I spend more time with the band, fans and music than I do my family.

For instance today even as I take this short break I am conducting this interview with you and can’t answer calls from home in this business its one thing after another; am trying very hard to find a solution to this current situation

What evils has piracy visited on you personally?

I have been affected by piracy just like any other artist out there. We all suffer when people choose to steal our hard earned work with little regard for the end result.

The government protects ideas, banks and other vital institutions I think we too should be protected after all what is more sacred than talent? It is God given and our only means to feed ourselves and our families. So on a personal and professional level I feel violated by piracy.

What really makes you angry that is not music related?

Well first and foremost I really get very angry when someone sings off key or out of tune it really irritates me.

In general a person’s words really have a great deal of power over me. When someone says they are going to do something and then they don’t that really upsets me. A person’s integrity is very important to me. I don’t condone people who don’t keep their word.

Lydiah Nyawira and Kidum during the one on one interview at Banana Leaf Hotel Nyeri.

Photos : by Sam Kairu.