Nyota dreamt of reaching stars

By Caroline Nyanga

Pulse: When did you get into music?

Nyota Ndogo: It was way back in 1997 when I was in Class Eight. I didn’t manage to sit for my exams due to financial constraints and instead ended up working as a housemaid. I would listen to radio and watch television musical programmes during my free times. Naturally, this drew me to music.

With time I was inspired by different local artistes. At the time I was simply known as Mwanaisha Abdalla Mohammed – the singing house-help. It was not until the year 2000 that I emerged into the limelight after releasing the songs Chereko and Jeremiah.

P: How and when did you land your first show-?

NN: It was in 1999 in Nairobi West. I had actually accompanied the group Majizee who encouraged me to go on stage. Other performing artistes included Uganda’s Bebe Cool and One II Moja. The moment I took to stage dressed in a long Kitenge outfit and a veil, fans laughed at me. At some point they even hurled abuses at me when I could not sing due to stage fright. Before I knew it I was suddenly shaking, as my hands sweat. To make matters worse the mic slipped off my hands. What followed next were matusi ya mwaka!

P: Childhood life in Mombasa’s Makande and Shimanzi...

NN: Was hard and harsh at the same time. Most times people from the other side did not want to be associated with us — simply because we lived in the slums. They often referred to us as chokoras. With time I moved to Nyali as a housemaid before emerging into the limelight and gaining fame in music.

P: Ever thought you could become famous...

NN: Never ever. But I yearned to become a star and whenever I watched Mercy Myra sing I would imitate her.

P: How have your looks transformed since then?

NN: When I began I had short hair and often donned buibui, long vitenges and hijab until the year 2000 when my manager decided that I should have a makeover. I changed to jeans and unique long dresses without necessarily wanting to expose my legs. With time I got more liberal. I’m pretty now comfortable in miniskirts.

P: What have you accomplished to date?

NN: To date I have four albums – Chereko, Tumetoka Mbali, Mpenzi and Mama wa Kambo. I am also in the process of building my own house. And God willing I hope to achieve much bigger things in the near future.