Musical ace on road to ‘glory’

Caroline Nyanga

Malindi based musician Grace Iseme, popularly referred to as Bintiafrika is excited for being nominated for ‘Best Boomba Female Artiste’ in the prestigious Kisima Awards slated for next year.

That she was also a nominee in two categories in the recently held Coast Awards — Best Female and Favourite R&B is perhaps a pointer to a bright musical career for her.

"As my first entry, it is an achievement to be nominated in two awards and in three categories," she says, " I can only hope to pull a surprise come next year — that will be a moment of glory for me."

Bintiafrika, she of the Calif records Mo-Fire hit rests her triumph on hard work, determination and inspiration.

"It is not what I am that really matters but what I am capable of doing that people should be interested in," says the modest artiste.

After nearly a decade in the industry, the celebrity mother is relieved to have finally produced her debut album Sauti Inawika.

"It mainly focuses on problems we inevitably face in life — but I also sing about love," she says. "I draw a lot of inspiration from personal experiences as well."

Some of the songs in the 11 track album —Take it Slow, Mtoto Mpotevu, Nimekosa, Take Over Me and Chali wa Mtaani — have topped the charts in recent times and helped in advancing her fame in Mombasa and beyond.

This happy-go-lucky artiste says the album breaks from the norm in the sense that the language and style used suit every age group regardless of their ethnic communities.

"I am confident the songs will soon appeal to international audiences," she says.

Her songs composed in Kiswahili and English, are a combination of rap, zouk, rhythm and blues, rumba and Seben, all recorded in Malindi and Nairobi.

Bintiafrika has also featured in hits done by popular artistes in the East African region. They include Nonini, Abass Kubaff, Marvin B, Gaza and upcoming artiste, John B Owen. Others are Tanzania’s top acts, Black Berries famed for the song Nataka Kuwa Nawe featuring Shirko.

The music ace has also worked with producers Jesse of Ketebul Records, Shirko and Kevo of Mystique among others.

"By working with different artistes, you acquire skills from different extremes but it also helps you become a team player," she says.

The musician, however, decries the state of the local music industry saying most Kenyan musicians are frustrated because music in Kenya does not pay well.

" I recently visited Tanzania and saw musicians lead a decent life because they can live off their music — from sales and live shows," she says.

Bintiafrika, who is also a practicing lawyer, advises upcoming artistes to have faith in themselves, think positive, learn to persevere and be patient if they hope to make it in the industry.

Long way to stardom

Despite Bintiafrika’s good vocals, it has taken a while to finally have a CD to her credit.

Incidentally, the Malindi born artiste who was blessed with a baby, Camron in 2003, lost her father the same year.

"I was forced to take a break from music for more than two years as I came to terms with the loss," she says. "I also needed time to take care of my son."

She broke into the industry because of her love for music.

"In my free time, I would compose songs and record them on tape," she says. "Deep down I knew that one day I would make it to the top, so I religiously heeded to the yearning of my heart and pursued music."

She plans to launch her album early next year.

Unlike her colleagues, the artiste does not regard herself as a stop gap musician. Instead, she views herself as an artiste who equals the task of restoring the lost glory of Coast music.

"My objective is to provide good music with a message to the community."