The flying diva, Vanessa ready to make a safe landing in her music

 

                   Vanessa the diva a pilot and a music Photo: Standard

She describes herself as 'fun, versatile, objective and simply true to self', Kenya's new sassy singing beauty Vanessa is taking her turn in an increasingly crowded industry with a stark warning: 'It's my time'. The pilot that she is, not even the sky can be the limit for this former Idols finalist; Vanessa the Diva, PULSE writes

Pulse: With a number of tracks out there like Loweka and your debut single Si Ndwele released in 2013 and working with popular artistes like rapper Calvo Mistari, how comes it has still be so hard to hit the limelight?

Vannesa: Well, let me say that I am trying to make as much noise as I can to be heard. As a new artistes working without a manager and I team to support me, it has been a bit hard to sell myself out there. I am trying to look for a manager but it is so hard for me to get someone I can really trust.

P: You studied music at Brokehouse and as a professional musician who knows how the game plays, we just don’t see why you would not get yourself a manager. Is it just about trust issues?

V: Sometimes it is very hard to get someone who genuinely understands you and wants to keep the vision as they work with you. I have had many people approaching me asking if they can manage me but I have been skeptical most of the time. Right now, Calvo is helping me out and introducing me to the industry. He is like my mentor.

P: Talking of Calvo, what is it about you involving him in all your released projects and appearing in his collabos? Do the two of you have something going on or is it just music?

V: (Laughs) Calvo has been a good mentor and being part of his Dowlow song as well as Doing it Right, the DJ Nruff single that also features Jay A and Petra was a big plus for me. It is not often when an upcoming artiste gets the opportunity to work with big stars. Through this, I have started to create my fan-base and the media is now giving me notable reviews. Let’s just say, working with the right people like Calvo and keeping within my lane is slowly getting me up there.

P: Not so many people know that you participated in the continental music competition, Idols, back in 2009. Can we say that that is when you discovered your music talent?

V: I started singing at the age of nine but the Idols competition was my first major platform. I emerged among the top 24 and for me that was good enough. After I joined Brokehouse, I studied music and learned how to play the piano, guitar, flute and violin and after graduating, I left for Malaysia for International Tourism Management. In 2011, I went to Philippines for commercial pilot training.

P: You gave up your music desire and moved to aviation...why the sudden change of mind?

V: Honestly, as much as music was my first love, looking at the local situation, it did not seem like it would make a career that would put food on the table. At first I joined USIU to take accounts only to discover that that wasn’t my thing. Taking up piloting was a good challenge. I knew being a pilot, I would make money that would jam start my music career.

P: So we can call you the singing pilot, right?

V: (Laughs) If you say so... In Philippines, I had the opportunity to meet a number of artistes and bands that rejuvenated my singing desire. I started singing with bands, doing cover fashions of songs and travelling with those I met. That gave me good exposure. I was privileged to hook up with influential people who would give me gigs so the money started coming. I was doing well and loving the moment.

P: It sounds like your music career was doing well there than here were you are still struggling to get established. Why wouldn’t you just stay in Philippines if all was working well?

V: I wanted to come establish my base here at home only to get this ‘culture’ shock. I just guess it is all about our small budding music industry. Many artistes are struggling to get their music out there and I guess, the answer is not to give up, but keep trying. Kenyan artistes should focus more on the opportunities available than the kind of negativity many keep on focusing on every day.

P: It is not easy, we all agree... But what is your game plan to cut a niche for yourself in such an overcrowded scene that is the Kenyan showbiz?

V: Game plan is like a business plan so I choose to keep my blue print a secret else someone else will run with it (laughs). However, I am about to release some tracks that are different from my previous hits, which are kind of mellow and romance oriented. I want to do something for the fans in the club to show the other side of Vannesa.