Since it became a hit, Tokelezea has been riddled with controversy regarding its original writer. Winnie Wambui aka Chantelle sheds some light. She spoke to STEVENS MUENDO
Pulse: The Tokelezea collabo video with Abass is stirring heat waves with critics claiming you are abit skimpy. Do you think the video is licentious in any way?
Chantelle: I donât really think it is. It is a classic shoot sponsored by M-Tech Communications and directed by Clarence Peters, the best video producer in Africa. I feel it is the kind of video that takes our Kenyan music art to the next level.
P: Whatâs with the semi-nude wilderness strolling the video? Chantelle [Photo:Pius Cheruiyot/Standard]
C: Do we appear semi nude? I would say we settled on light dress code. That is a video shoot in the heat blazing Magadi. What else would we have worn?
P: The video drops one year after you released the debut hit single Tokelezea, which has propelled you into showbiz limelight. How has your lifestyle changed since?
C: Tokelezeaâs success was a sweet surprise for me. I mean it was the first time I sat to pen down lyrics. In a span of 12 hours, we had recorded the song. In two days, it was out in radio charts.
P: Just hold on a bit, you mean the recording was not planned?
C: We had gone for a friendâs night party with Abass and the idea was born and executed there. In the morning, we hit the Phoenix Studio booth.
P: But word has it that you had signed-up with Phoenix...
C: That is a lie. We recorded the song there simply because Abass was working with the stable.
