Ray C: Rapper Lord Eyes introduced me to drugs

By Josaya Wasonga | 7yrs ago | 2 min read

I propose that, before any upcoming siren signs a contract, they should take a long reflective look at Pulse's "Pin-up" for Friday, August 25, 2006.

They should lock their gaze with that of Rehema Chalamila, better known as Ray C, who was the pinup model.

Then they should look at Ray C's latest pictures. And then they should swear that the only 'drug' they'll get high on will be hero-worship.

Before all these Jennies-come-latelies hit the stage, Ray C was the prima donna. From Bongo to Bungoma, the mention of her name evoked two words: sex symbol. Which had not happened on the regional music scene since Princess Farida traded the dance floor for the pulpit.

This was the Ray C with the sexy body, raunchy dance moves, bedroom eyes and, like they say in Kiswahili, a voice to entice a serpent from its hidey-hole. This was the squeaky-clean Ray C. The good girl. This was the Ray C who was set to give Bongo her first certified-platinum diva, while Diamond Platnumz was still grinding in Tandale.

When this picture was taken in 2006, Ray C was rocking regional and international gigs. Heck, roundabout 2006, Ray C was East Africa's Whitney Houston.

Then Bobby Brown happened on the scene. And took Ray C's game and good girl rep south. W-a-a-y south.

According to Ray C, it was her ex-boyfriend, rapper Lord Eyes who introduced her to hard drugs in 2012. To finance her lifestyle, this songstress sold, for a song, items that were dear to her. Like her crib, dignity, clothing boutiques, beauty and career.

For drugs, what follows an intro are three eventualities. Quitting cold turkey. Countless visits to the rehab. An outro from life.

Not many addicts quit cold turkey. And a good number of celebs have turned entrances of rehab centres into revolving doors. Sadly, Ray C fits this bill. And the statistics of celebs who have died of drug-related complications keep rising.

This June, Ray C almost became another statistic. There were media reports that this clean-Jane-gone-junkie attempted to commit suicide, but was rescued by cops.

But before that, her number one fan, former president Jakaya Kikwete, answered her SOS. He took her to a rehab and ordered that she have round-the-clock security so she could not bolt from the facility.

Hell, no. Ray C does not look like, pardon the cliché, "a pale shadow of her former self". We will have to find another expression to describe her epic downward spiral.

Ray C's story is testament that the only "drug" a celeb should be hooked on is hero worship and even this should not get into their heads. Because? Fans are like wildebeest. They migrate with changing seasons, fads and tunes.