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Pulse: In one of your recent social media updates, you wished American rapper Dr Dre would just let you enjoy global airwaves for just eight seconds. What was all that about?
Octoppizzo: By now you are already aware that Long Distance Paper Chasers (LDPC) has achieved worldwide recognition. It came second as the most popular on iTunes after Dr Dre’s Straight Outta Compton in the week of the launch. There is no doubt that I made history on this. It only shows that Kenyan hip-hop has come of age.
P: Tell us more about LDPC?
O: It’s a smooth and hard-hitting 15-track album comprising songs like All Black Eveything, Wwy, Could be Us, They Love it Next 2 U, Bomaye, Prezidential, Wuoda, War Get Rich, Let Mi Know, No time, Jump Pydu, Heart of a Lion and Salute Me. It’s quite deep and different from the everyday thing. Let’s just say it is the next level hip-hop.
P: What does this new project mean to your music career?
O: It’s such a great achievement for me. At first I was doubtful if people would show up at the launch even after the hype. You know Nairobi people rarely turn up in large numbers for live gigs. Fans came in large numbers and that showed so much love. I appreciate it.
P: What makes you different from the rest?
O: I believe I tell it as it is. With the changing trends in music, I strive not to let my fans down and that is why I give my best during shows. To achieve this I practice and rehearse wherever I am. I always give my performance intensity before I step on the podium; and the results are amazing. In other words, I am a self-conscious rapper with a style that is diverse, poetic and original.
P: What really guides and inspires you?
O: Every day I live for my kids and my family. When I wake up I ask myself if my daughters would be comfortable listening to the new song I am drafting. Will they be inspired or dejected by the lyrics and that is why I inject my songs with a message of hope for the coming generation.
P: You have been in the business for quite a while. How has the transformation been?
O: I have improved all around as far as my mixing, song-writing and stage work is concerned. When I first started I just wanted to make music, but I didn’t know much about anything so I made what I heard other rappers making. I couldn’t really be myself because I didn’t have a well-thought-out and clear direction. Now, I know a lot more and I am more confident in my ability to not only write and record my lyrics, but to mix down my vocals and take chances when it comes to manipulating my voice and my subject matter.
P: You seem to have beef with other worthy local rappers among them Khaligraph Jones, Bamboo, Abass Kubaff, Rabbit and Chiwawa. Why is this so?
O: I have no beef with anybody. Beef is for people who don’t know what they want in music. On my part, I want to concentrate on doing music that will inspire the coming generation.
P: Is it true that you recently had a fight with your wife?
O: I can clearly state that nothing of the sort happened. Those are people who are out to bring me down for reasons best known to them. Their rumours mean nothing to me. Backbiters will always remain in their position as I am happy to be in front of them.
P: What are your future plans as far as music goes?
O: I want to inspire upcoming young rappers through my music by making them realise that nothing is impossible in achieving their goals in life as long as they are determined to do so.
