The FBI findings

By Austin Okande

P: You recently featured Wyre and Ogopa Deejays’ rapper IT in your debut music video, Digala, what inspired you to get into music?
FBI: Venturing into music has been part of the groups’ long-term ambitions, and releasing Digala was just but the next step. Inspired by the Nigerians and Ghanaians, with their national dance moves the Antena and Azonto respectively, we decided to develop a national urban dance move that will resonate with Kenyans.

P: What is the theme of the song Digala?
FBI: Digala is a Giriama word, which can loosely be translated to mean feeling good, thus making the song a party song. Digala is a popular slang among the people living at the Coast.

P: Presently, there are many dance groups in the local showbiz scene. What makes you the right group to develop an urban national dance move?
FBI: We do not have any rivals. We are the godfathers and backbone of Kenya’s dance industry. For your information, most of the dance groups ape our dance moves. Moreover, we enjoy a wide fan base within and across Eastern and Central Africa.

P: Does this mean you will take a break from dance and opt for a new venture, singing?
FBI: No, that is not the case. As FBI, dancing runs deep inside our blood, and at no time have we thought of quitting dance for any other options. We pursue dancing as a full-time profession, and venturing into music was a deliberate move to attain an edge over other dance groups.

P: You have been running the Dance for Change project that involves inmates across prisons in Nairobi since 2011. What does the project entail and what has your experience been so far?
FBI: Dance for Change is our goodwill project between FBI and the prisons within Nairobi, where we train and mentor youthful inmates through dance. Our major objective is to act as a proof to the inmates that they can earn a decent honest living through dance, and not crime.

P: Has dance been a lucrative venture for you and how much do you pocket in a single show?
FBI: Dancing, currently, pays well. We have had opportunities to travel to different countries namely Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Rwanda — places we would, otherwise, never have travelled to. We pocket an average of Sh70,000 per show, which is a standard rate even for a music video.

P: Apart from dancing and singing, what other engagements do you have as a group?
FBI: We have since ventured into different types of businesses; in the transport industry, we own a commuter vehicle and we have also dabbled into designing clothes.  Eric Omondi, Myra and the MOG gospel group are some of the artistes we have designed clothes for.

P: The drift between gospel and secular dance groups has refused to go. What is your take on the same?
FBI: It is true that dance groups are now aligning themselves into one of the two. As a group, we have never been victimised, but we have heard of instances where dancers have been denied a chance to perform just because they are deemed as secular dancers.

P: Taking you back, when was your debut into the showbiz scene, and how did you meet?
FBI: We all hail from Majengo Estate in Eastlands, and went to the same school — Jamhuri High School. We formed the group in 2006, but our real debut into the showbiz scene was in 2009, when we featured as main dancers for the gospel group MOG in one of their hit songs Let Him Go.

P: What does it take for the group to learn new moves?
FBI: We have a daily practicing session that lasts for at least three to four hours. It is during such sessions that we learn new moves and perfect on our old ones.

P: What are some of your memorable accolades?
FBI: We have an array of accolades, from being Sakata Season Two winners, Nacada Group of the year 2010/2011 and currently Dance JA 2013 Africa representatives.

P: When should we expect another music video, and who are some of the artistes you are working with?
FBI: Our second music video is slated for July, and we are considering working with Wyre and Verbal.

The group comprises of seven members namely: Fredrick Milanya aka Milan, Ramadhan Nyachio aka Rama, Ezra Njagi aka Ezz Tribal, Kibibi Tajiri aka Kay, Kennedy Mutembei aka Mute. Justus Mtua aka CJ Qrazy and Simon Janaj aka Jay Wizz.