GEORGE KANYI aka G-MAN, a boda boda rider based in Umoja, is always seen with his iconic guitar and entertaining fellow riders passersby around the estate. He shares his story:
Briefly introduce yourself.
I am a family man, an artiste and a boda boda rider based in Nairobi.
As a talented musician, why do you still find it necessary to engage in boda boda business?
To be honest, the music journey is a rough terrain for upcoming artistes. To sustain myself and make ends meet, I have to combine boda boda business with music. For now, the returns from music are low, but I am hopeful things will change in the near future.
When exactly did your music journey start?
Ever since I was young, I found myself interested in music a great deal because my father had a guitar, which he loved playing often. I used to be closed to him when he played the instrument and his prowess on it got me interested as well.
What else inspired you to venture into music eventually?
When I was young, I used to listen to radio and really admired musicians like Redsan, the late E-sir and others. I used to say that once I grow up, I would like to be like them. When I completed my secondary school education in 2009, I joined a group that used to perform hip-hop and that is where I discovered I could do well in music.
How do fellow riders perceive of you as an artiste?
Most have expressed their appreciation for my work since I keep them entertained while waiting for customers and I don’t charge a penny. However, some give financial tokens to appreciate my effort although this is on a voluntary basis.
How do you manage entertaining people and doing boda boda business at the same time?
I normally do it while waiting for customers. I work under the principle of customer first and entertainment during free time.
Tell us your experience working with renown artistes in the industry.
I thank God I have met and worked with a number of artistes including gospel musician Pitson, with whom we have a collabo, and with Otille Brown. We met at Dr Eddy Studios when recording our songs and we are planning to release a collabo together.
You left a well-paying job to engage in the boda boda business, please tell us more.
Yes, I used to be a researcher with Synovate and later Nielsen, but I felt the career did not give me room to exercise my music talent. I resigned, bought a motorcycle with my savings and started a boda boda business. This business has the necessary flexibility to allow me to engage in music without compromising my source of income. You know with this job, I will not be restricted to do my personal things like going to studio, attending performances, among others.
Your parting shot?
I would like to urge the youth to always find a way to exercise their God-given talent. This is because this can be your breakthrough in life. Do the best you can and the rest will follow you. Music is passion as much as it is talent. Even if it may not pay immediately, you need to put it to heart and do it regularly since you don’t know when your breakthrough will come forth.
