Reign of Queen Victoria Kimani in music, acting

Pulse: You just got back into the country. What was the outing all about?
Victoria: I’m so glad to be back home! Yes, I was on a media tour in Lagos. When you release new music, I believe you have to push it the best you can to get the awareness out there because no one will push it for you. I am also working on my album. I get a lot of recording done while I am there.

P: What you have been working on in the last few months?
V: My latest single is called Show and it’s been gaining so much traction everywhere, so I have been doing a lot of press and pushing that song like crazy across the continent. I have also been performing and I am finally working on my debut album. You can expect my next single any day now.

P: Tell us about your YouTube show The Rise of the Queen...
V: The Rise of Queen Victoria is a reality series that allows people a chance to see what I do on a day-to-day basis. We shot the first season with about 10 episodes last year and you can watch it on YouTube. We are shooting Season 2 now that will be bigger and better than anything you have seen.

P: You also got a new movie role recently...
V: I played a lead role in a hilarious new movie. The trailer is on YouTube now. It is called 7 Inch Curve and it is a story based around a hostage situation. It is a bit of drama mixed with comedy.

P: How does it feel when people refer you to as to Africa’s Nicki Minaj, on account of your fashion sense to singing attitude?
V: People don’t really refer to me to that way but you do get the occasional Instagram comment comparing. I think it’s funny because there are zero similarities. I don’t rap or dress like her. I am not sure what her singing attitude is but Nicki Minaj and Victoria Kimani sound nothing alike. I think it’s easier for people to compare two stylish black girls and it is as simple as that. Either way, she is beautiful so it’s a compliment.

P: You have done quite a number of collabos with big artistes across Africa, from Diamond to the Davidos and 2 Face Idibias of this world...
V: I really haven’t worked with 2 Face Idibia and Davido. Is this like throwing names out there to see if any sticks? (Laughs). Well, it is not a strategy to conquer Africa. I just like to make music.

P: Whose concept was the Prokoto track you did featuring Ommy Dimpoz and Diamond?
V: It was a collabo, so we all worked towards that.

P: There is this talk about you acquiring a Nigerian accent to win the West African market. Is it true?
V: The truth is, I already had a strong fan-base in West Africa, so it was as simple as going to the studio with friends and just playing around with music and we decided to do a song for my fans in that region. When you are a Pan-African artiste, these are things you can have fun with. Soon I’ll sing songs in French and Spanish, as my fan-base continues to grow.

P: You are one of the few Kenyan female artistes with wide international exposure. Of what benefit has it been to you?
V: There are no other male or female artistes making any strides outside of Kenya other than... maybe two or three literally. We only win if we all create a movement that people recognise internationally. Kenyan artistes need to step it up.

P: What works for you, the Kenyan or Nigerian sound?
V: What works for me is my sound which is whatever I am feeling at the moment. The fact that I’m not boxed into any sound is what makes me a pop artiste. People do not say that Wyre, Redsan and Nameless have acquired a Jamaican sound, but they are allowed to experiment with popular culture and whatever sounds they like.

P: How do you evaluate your success as an African female artiste and which other African female stars of our time do you respect and would like to work with?
V: I don’t really think I am successful yet. I’m still getting started. I respect any female artistes that are consistent and hard working.

P: What do you think the Kenyan music scene needs to do to keep up with the current competition?
V: The artistes need to stop being lazy, be more consistent with music releases and quality music videos. DJs need to support us too but they will if you give them something to stand behind.