Njambi Koikai, 25, popularly known as Faya Mama by her reggae fans, speaks to Crystal Okusa about following her childhood dream and finding more success than she anticipated as a DJ and media personality

How did you fall in love with reggae music?

I grew up with reggae as a part of my everyday life, my mother played reggae in the house all the time when I was young. My uncle (mother’s brother) is a reggae DJ in the US. To this day we exchange the vinyl records of new and old reggae. My uncle used to collect reggae tapes and we would listen together. These two were the greatest influences in my life when it comes to reggae.

Who were you listening to growing up?

When I was 10-years-old the first reggae artiste I listened to was Don Carlos, then I started listening to him all the time. Meeting him last yeas was an out of this world experience for me. Growing up in the same neighbourhood as Daudi Kabaka and Les Wanyika played in live bands in the pubs around I was exposed to Lingala too. But I had to choose between the two genres to build on as a career, I inclined more to reggae because I appreciated it more, but I still listen to Fred Machoka to this day because of the Lingala mixes.

When did you embark on deejaying?

Sadly, no one ever gave me a chance when I wanted to be one right after finishing high school. I used to go to the clubs popularly known for playing reggae to inquire if I could a get a chance to DJ, but they wouldn’t even let me host the shows. With no luck I decided to join campus. I had developed interest in mixing records when I was still in high school. I would skive after church to go for jam session to listen to the DJs play, I would be out of the club by 7 o’clock before my mother came back. While at home I practiced the different reggae songs while doing house chores. All these had to be done in secret because my mother was so strict with education I would get into so much trouble if she found out. But after sometime, she let me have the freedom but be responsible.

What was your area of study in university?

I was in Daystar doing Communications and Community Development, something I never had passion for, but I had to do it because my dad wanted me to. I wanted to do music but Daystar was not offering the course at the time. In hindsight, I respect that my dad saw in me what I did not, thanks to that degree I got a job in a media house.

Reggae lovers are often portrayed negatively, how do you handle your image?

Showing my love for reggae does not mean I have to have dreadlocks or smoke marijuana. I have actually been in situations where people do not believe I am a reggae MC because I do not dress like one. When I meet fans and they get to know I am the Faya mama who plays reggae on radio, they are taken aback as the picture they have of me is totally different. Reggae is what I believe in and entertainment is a business that needs to appeal to fans, not what I look like. I love the colours and wear them once in a while.

How did you manage to juggle passion for music and still concentrate in school?

My high school experience was an interesting one. I was young and felt the pressure to fit in a sort of clique and it caused my mother a lot of pain then, but now I look at it as a learning experience. I attended seven high schools but finished at St Christophers.

In school I was involved in anything that revolved around music, I was sure I wanted to be a DJ. So I was always the one running the school funkies. When I was not doing music, I was acting, and that is how I started out in the industry by working at Heartstrings at the National Theatre for 10 years. That was my main extra curricular activity in school and my deep voice also helped me get best Soloist awards at music festivals.

Tell us about your career at KBC?

Five years ago, before graduating from campus I joined KBC as an intern in the newsroom. But I could not keep up with the rush for news; I was just not cut out for that. One day as I was taking a tour to see what KBC was all about, I walked into the Metro FM studios and found Bill Odidi who was the head of Metro at the time and after talking to him he advised me to go think about my interest and come back when I was ready. But I was so scared and not sure whether I wanted to do production or TV presenting or news reporting.

Then later 2007 while shooting Makutano Junction, I met the director of Makutano Junction, Sammy Muraya who was a football host at Metro. He noticed my interest in football and invited me to the show from 2-7pm on Saturdays.

During one of the shows, Turbulence was invited for an interview; the excitement I had seeing him walk into the studio got my bosses’ attention and they came running in. I did not realise the microphone was on when I let out a scream. The bosses called it crazy but said that was the character they wanted on air and that is how I started presenting with Bill in the morning show in late 2007. I later moved to the mid-morning show on my own. I went back to do my second degree at USIU – International Relations and French, so I moved to the late night show ‘lovers rock’ to accommodate my classes. I am in my second year now.

What prompted you to join news anchoring?

I like challenges and I believe you should not restrict yourself to one area. KBC has given me that chance to learn different segments of the media I was never even taught in campus. One day at work, I heard about some news auditions, I was a bit sceptical but I actually aced the screen test and in October 2010 started presenting the 9 o’clock news on Saturdays and Sunday when I am not on radio.

When you are not being a DJ or on TV what are you up to?

I am involved with the ‘ghetto sisters with attitude’ project in my estate to encourage girls. I want them to know it is not a permanent situation and Get Higher Education To Teach Others (I phrase I coined out of GHETTO). I have had the full experience of starting from nothing and working extra hard has brought my family this far. I want to help these girls realise their dreams and not fall into teenage traps.

We meet once a month for either a tournament or open forums that get them in a comfortable situation to talk about what they are going through. I am mobilising my campus friends to start a project of helping these girls with their schoolwork. I also run a sound system called Street Empire that involves playing in gigs as well as hiring out equipment.

Has your voice always been hoarse?

Yes, since I was young, I have a petite body with a huge voice something most people find odd. This voice has been my tool of trade, but I now have a condition known as laryngitis – a bacterial infection that affects the throat. Exposing myself to the cold and straining my vocal cords when emceeing has made it worse. My handbag has become a mini-pharmacy because I have to protect my voice.

What kind of challenges have you encountered being in a male dominated field?

Sometimes I wish there were more chicks in the industry, currently I am the only chick who DJs reggae exclusively. Most guys would not back a chick up when it comes to work and that builds a lot of negative energy. But every time I think of quitting, I get a lot appreciation from fans who confess of waiting up for my show because of how they connect with me. This gives me joy and motivation to move on.

Given your experiences, how would you advice those who aspire to work in the entertainment industry?

When I used to DJ at the jam session, I met all these kids who believe the only fun career is music because of the celebrity factor. They get excited and carried away with the fun stuff forgetting that there are so many other things and careers people can do.

One does not have to be famous to be successful, you could be famous and not successful. I made a point of advising them to go to school and get an education as that is what will get them anything they want. Were it not for my education, no matter what degree of love I had for reggae, I would not be where I am today. It was a childhood dream but hey! Here I am now. I am grateful and I appreciate.