At a time when Collo, born Collins Majale, had long gone MIA as King wa Rap and become forgettable in the secular music industry, he sprang back into the limelight when he announced that he had seen the light, much to the shock of many.
The tale only got more intriguing when barely a week later, he married his girlfriend of seven years Phibby Ida raising speculation that his getting saved was a precondition to settling down.
As has always been, where there is smoke there is fire, it turns out that his wife was instrumental in his decision to get saved.
But why get saved in the first place?
"I was discontent with my life. After living life on the fast lane for so long, with first class tickets to tour the world, living in the best hotels, playing chicks, sex and money being the order of the day, I had had enough. I felt that I was not living out the purpose that I was meant to be.
That, plus I needed closure. So I decided to find out from my maker exactly what he created me for," says Collo who quickly adds that given a chance, he would never have a repeat of his past life.
"I knew I wanted to rap when I was in high school and released his song Freak It in 2001 at 16 as part of the trio, Kleptomaniax," he says of how he once ditched class to go perform in Kisumu where he was paid Sh10,000, a colossal sum at the time.
That, however, did not go down well with his mother, who incidentally had come visiting on the same day.
On being summoned by the school's principal he was advised that school was not the place to do music and that he should concentrate on his studies. That did not deter him from making more music.
At the time of clearing school, he had hit songs and his music career was well on its way to prosperity. That was until the group went for a tour and Nyashinski was left behind in the USA. The group then died a natural death.
His hiatus from the music scene can thus be explained by his need to find himself. Now he has emerged with a new song to be released today called Bazokizo featuring Bruz Newton. Newton is an established dance consultant, instructor, choreographer, singer and song writer.
The song is a victory dance and celebration of salvation. Listening to the song will remind you of the popular Macarena hit, refreshed with a lyrical blend of Swahili, Sheng and English.The new song comes with a refreshing concept of fusing rap and dance.
"Rappers are not known for dancing and this was clearly shot to prove wrong the stereotype. It was also a great opportunity to work alongside a different generation of talent in dance with children ranging from 7 to 12 years, teenagers and young adults, 35 dancers to be precise, based in Mathare Youth Sport Association," he says.
However, he is quick to emphasise that he does not consider himself a gospel artiste. "Even if I am to be nominated for a gospel award, I would turn it down," he declares.
He says that it is with good reason: "Calling myself a gospel artiste would be putting myself in a box. Plus, I am not for the idea of there being a gospel music industry. That locks everyone else out," he says.
And find his purpose he did; an ambassador of the boy child.
"I am now a full time volunteer at Sauti Ya Kijana Foundation where I am an ambassador to the boy child and music director at Naam Festival."
