After a three-year music debacle, Mombasa’ one time big showbiz king George Owino aka Kingsting back with a new hit. He talks to Matilda Nzioki about his tribulations and his big comeback plans.
Is your new single Sherehe yet another comeback to the music industry?
Yes it is. I released the song almost two weeks ago and the video last week. The single is a party song and is recorded at Ulopa Ngoma.
Does its release spell a new dawn?
Kingsting is back and, as much as I don’t want to thump my chest, one just needs to watch this space.
You took a three-year break before re-emerging. What have you been up to?
The songs Flex n’ Wine and Nilie were our (Bedbug and I) last projects.
I have been concentrating my efforts on my events organising company Tamasha Entertainment. Through Tamasha, I got to interact with leading artistes and borrowed a lot from them on how to manage my music career. Let’s say all that was in my comeback strategy.
We hear you quit showbiz to concentrate on family matters?
Well, I must say I have been concentrating on my family. I have a wife (Sharon) and a beautiful four-year-old daughter called Shantel. And since Bedbug relocated to Uganda, things have not been the same again musically.
Before we get to your story with Bedbug, is it true that you have been married for eight years?
The first four years were dating and courtship moments. We have been married for four years.
The duo Kingsting and Bedbug was one of the biggest groups Mombasa has ever produced. Why did you part ways at the height of your glory?
Mombasa's one time big showbiz king George Owino aka Kingsting |
The songs we had recorded after the Anisa fame did not do well in the market and at that time, I must admit, that we were really struggling. It was hard moving on as a solo artiste.
Tell us more…
I had to come to terms with the fact that Bedbug was gone and I had to repackage myself as Kingsting, the solo artiste.
It can be trying when you stop enjoying media attention after moving from the limelight. It wasn’t easy. I went back to school to learn more about vocals. I was still writing songs but not recording them in any studio.
You are coming back to an industry with so many newcomers and having to push your name up again. Don’t you think it’s going to be such a gigantic task to get back to the helm?
I know so much has changed and I am up to the task. Unlike then, I am working with the best producers in Kenya and making the best out of it. Like I said, Ulopa is behind my Sherehe single which I believe will be big. In another two months, I will be releasing another single called Njoo Nani also recorded by Ulopa. I plan to release my album sometime next year. Like they say, experience is the best teacher.
Tell us more about your album…
It will be a ten-track album. I’m planning to feature various artistes in East Africa with whom we have been in the game for long.
They include Redsan and Nameless from Nairobi, Cannibal and Nyota Ndogo from Mombasa, as well as Bobby Wine and Bebe Cool from Uganda.
What’s with the collabos?
When you have different artistes in your music, it brings in diverse flavours, as all artistes are unique, each in their own way.
It may also help when it comes to expanding my fan base as fans of those musicians would most likely be interested in the music.
Are you working with Ulopa alone or you will also record with other producers?
I’ve already recorded two other songs with him.
I’m also planning to record with RKay and Musyoka. Musyoka has a unique taste. When it comes to different artistes, he doesn’t make them sound the same.
We hear you are relocating to Nairobi. Is that part of your comeback plan?
It is true I am contemplating moving to Nairobi early next year. Being at the capital city has its own benefits if you can stand the competition and other challenges.
Most of the people I want to work with are based there as well as other networks which will be of great help to my music career.
And what did you make out of our music industry in your backseat?
Having been doing gigs, I know which artistes are currently crowd pullers. My events company was also for me to try and find out why some musicians make it better than others. In my opinion, our situation is sorry. Kenya is regarded highly by its neighbours and they expect that artistes are doing well but in reality, apart from flossing, the musicians struggle.
Are you aware of the situation in our neighbouring countries?
I’ve noticed Uganda’s showbiz industry pays handsomely. In Tanzania, the industry there accepts fresh blood easily and allows them to blossom, unlike here where we have the same names ruling the airwaves.
