After rebelling from Calif Records to form his own entertainment establishment, Qtasi spills the beans on why he parted ways with the genge fathers, writes SHEILA KIMANI
P: Stilettos is your latest hit, right?
Qtasi: Yes it is, and I am glad about the positive reception it’s getting. I recently released it after leaving Calif Records and with the help of Je-C my new producer — who I believe has a good work ethic and understands me better as an artiste.
P: So Calif Records didn’t have the work ethic and understanding you needed?
Q: Honestly, yes. The way things were run at Calif was not entirely professional. Timeliness and strategy was rarely prioritised. In fact, I believe that had I still been in Calif today, Stilettos would still be an idea, rather than the hit song it is fast becoming.
P: What about those who have said that the actual reason you had few songs was because you are a lazy and impatient artiste...?
Q: If I were as lazy as they claim, then it would have taken me ages to release a new song, especially after leaving Calif. I would have probably gone back to the village too, like my song Narudi Ocha suggests, but as you can see, it only took me two months to release new music.
P: Calif sprung you into the limelight. Why bite the hand that fed you?
Q: Calif was my home for many years and I appreciate that. Clemo and I also put a lot of effort back when I was releasing Narudi Ocha — which sprung me into the limelight. We even pioneered the genge-RnB sound, but over the years, a lot of things changed.
P: What changed?
Q: Management started getting biased and artistes’ requests were often ignored. I realised that if I wanted to grow, I had to change my strategy or forever live uncomfortably within that stable.
P: So you left with a lot of bad blood?
Q: Bad blood was not intentional but when people try punching you, you get defensive and retaliate. I had no problems leaving Calif and I expected it to be a smooth transition, but when some people started claiming that I was lazy and even blocked my music on YouTube social media, there was a problem and it had to be solved head-on. In fact that was the most unethical thing about them.
P: Couldn’t your scores have been settled peacefully?
Q: Even if we could, I would still have left because I had made up my mind. Just like a man leaves his mother’s house, I had to leave Calif because the space there was proving to be too small for me to grow. My potential was not being maximised as I believed it should. Right now, I can say that I am growing and glad about it.
P: Now that you are free and not confined to a stable, what’s your plan?
Q: I, hence, established Qtasi Entertainment, which will be my new home and an entertainment hub that will strive to right the wrongs that we identify within the industry.
P: How exactly will you rectify those wrongs?
Q: As an artiste, I have first-hand experience of the plight some upcoming artistes face, so we shall have a team of producers including Je-C, choreographers, as well as stylists who will mentor, help and even get artistes links that will help them grow.
P: Isn’t that what every other entertainer is doing out there?
Q: We shall definitely have an edge because ours is a team of skilled individuals with a passion and a common goal. Seeing what we have done so far, our productions and the artistes’ developmental campaigns we are currently part of, all we can say is watch this space.
P: You are quite the manager. Why settle on music?
Q: I have a passion for music and since I believe in following dreams, I defied my parents and ventured into music despite being a Law school graduate. It has been a worthwhile ride and I believe it is now time to help and motivate others to realise their dreams.
P: Do we expect an album any time soon?
Q: Now that I am free to do my music as I would, the album will be out sooner than you think. My fans can listen to all my five singles on qtasientertainment.com.
