Nazizi's Good life

Kenya’'s first female emcee Nazizi Hirji, 29, talks to SHIRLEY GENGA about her music, marriage and motherhood

It’s been a while since we heard from you, what have you been up to?

Marriage, a new solo album, motherhood and Necessary Noize.

When did you get married and why did you keep it a secret?

We got married in December 2008 in a simple and private wedding. Vini Hamza Leopold, my husband, and I both value privacy. I’ve always wanted people to know me for my music and not my personal life. Vini is supportive of my career, but he does not like to be at the forefront and I respect that. On our wedding day, I wore a long shirt because they don’t allow women to wear trousers in the mosque, while Vini was in jeans and a shirt.

Afterwards, we had a small private ceremony where we invited family and close friends. Because we did not want the pressure put on newlyweds, we decided to wait a while before making it public, but the right moment never came. After our wedding, everything settled down and in the same month, Wyre got married and later Prezzo. We got invited to both and we got to secretly celebrate our wedding again.

When did you guys meet?

I met Vini in 2005 and what’s interesting was that he had never heard of the song Kenyan Boy Kenyan Girl, which was a hit at the time. He did not even know what I did for a living. He found out later after we started dating and I think that was cool. The rest is history.

How was your pregnancy and how did you manage to keep it a secret?

My pregnancy was easy. I did not have cravings, morning sickness or mood swings. I worked until the sixth month and it began to show only in the last month.

How has motherhood changed your life?

Having a baby is life changing. It has made me more responsible and I have had to ditch my hippy life. Before, my reply to invitations to perform abroad would be, when? And if they asked me to stay three more weeks I would oblige, but those days are gone. Now I want to know the first flight in and out so that I can be home as soon as possible.

You have always had a tough girl rap image, has that changed?

I’ve always been a tough girl, but motherly. That has not changed. If anything, I’m tougher now.

When was your baby born?

June 13, the day I was meant to have my baby shower. I remember praying that he would not come before the baby shower, but during a check-up two days before, it was found that my blood pressure was high and I had to be induced. Even after the induction, the baby was not in a hurry. Just when the doctors were about to resort to caesarean on 13th, I finally delivered 1.30pm, the exact time the baby shower was to begin. So all my friends came to my house only to be told I was in hospital and that I had given birth. I love to organise events, but this year I did not get to celebrate my birthday nor the shower. I can’t wait to organise and celebrate something, anything. Tafari is seven weeks I think I’ll celebrate his birth when he turns two months.

What does Tafari mean?

It’s an Ethiopian name meaning inspiration. My parents wanted me to name him Firoz after my late brother, which I was hesitant about at first. I felt like giving him that name would mean replacing my brother. Now I’ve made my peace and named him Tafari Firoz Leopold because I realise it does not mean replacing my brother, but honouring him.

How has your life changed since the death of your brother?

When Firoz died in 2006, it was like half of me died. We were only two of us in my family. I’m the firstborn and he was my partner in crime. We shared our childhood and these days whenever I try to reminisce my childhood, it dawns on me that I have none. He would always wake me up in the morning with that grand plan for the day. I miss the support he gave me and the way he always made me laugh.

Sometimes it breaks my heart that my kids will not have an uncle. His death made me do my best everyday because I never know when it will be time.

Your first performance after having Tafari was the Fespad Festival in Rwanda two weeks ago. How was it?

I was away for 24 hours, but it felt like a year literally. My mother stayed with Tafari during the day and Vini stayed with him at night like he usually does. I called home almost every minute. He was okay during the day, but cried at night. I think it finally dawned on him that mummy was not home. I guess it’s a struggle every working mother faces.

Necessary Noize is back after three years, what inspired that?

It’s just the right time plus people have been asking when we would be working on a new project. We just performed last Saturday. We did not feel ready at first because we were still busy with the East African Bashment Crew, but now, together with Wyre, we felt it was time.

Most groups break up after sometime, but you and Wyre have been collaborating for many years despite each of you being successful individually.

How do you manage?

I think the reason we have remained a group all these years is because Wyre and I are friends. We have been friends for many years and we share a lot. Our birthdays are on the same month; we got married the same year and even became parents in the same year.

Tell me about your new solo album?

Last year before I became a mother, I had completed my album, African Youth. I worked with Rizai of Ark Angels and other producers. The album is a mixture of different types of music from hip-hop to ragga. I featured artistes from all over Africa including Wyre, Bebe and RAH P. I did not get a chance to promote it so this year, apart from the Necessary Noise project, I will also be promoting my album.

Last year, I also did a song together with Naeto C (Nigeria), HHP (South Africa), Zuzu (Botswana), Lee (South Africa) for Chanell O called All Around the World. That was how I became friends with HHP, a big hip-hop artiste in South Africa and we did another song together. On the August 16, I will be travelling to South Africa to do the video and I’m hoping it will broaden the market for my music.

You are not only the first Kenyan female mcee, but you have won a number of awards in your ten-year career, including Pearl Awards and Channel O Awards. What do they mean to you?

My awards are a combination of solo projects and group efforts (Necessary Noise and East African Bashment Crew). Awards to me mean I’m making an impact and that is a great feeling. However, my goal is not just to win awards, but also to inspire other female Mcee’s. I have won six Changuo La Teeniz awards for Best Female Artiste and I was glad when STL won the award last year.

You have a degree in psychology, what drew you to the course, what are your future plans?

Education is very important and everyone must get it. I chose psychology because it is close to music — they are both about people. Psychology helps me understand people and emotions, which makes me a better writer and musician. The degree has also enabled me work with international organisations like Unicef and Cradle to reach to girls. It involves being a role model and talking to young girls on self-esteem issues and the importance of education. I am passionate about it because I feel it’s my duty to give back to young girls. I would like to start a counselling programme in future.

What do you love about motherhood?

The fact that I’m my baby’s everything and knowing that my legacy will live on through him.