The mention of the name Pilipili brings back memories of a simple, yet outgoing musician with trademark colourful red and blonde dyed hair.
From way back in 2003, when he released Nampenda with the Gun B, Pilipili has remained a regular feature on our entertainment scene.
His first recording deal was in 2001 with producer Chris Adwar of Next Level Studio, before he moved on in 2002 and signed an album deal with Tedd Josiah of Audio Vault.
“He was my mentor and made me believe in myself. However, we only recorded four songs and unfortunately, we never got to finish the album due to unavoidable circumstances.”
He hopped on to Maich Black of South West Records and recorded the first version of what was to be his break out song Kamata Dame.
In 2004, he settled at Calif Records under the then fledgling producer Clemo, and recorded Papasa before signing a three-year recording deal. It was here that he reworked and collaborated with Jua Cali in Kamata Dame, making it a huge success.
At the time, Calif was obliterating its way to the pinnacle of musical success with names like Nonini, Jua Cali, Flexx, Rat-a-tat and Jimw@t causing ripples — Pilipili was part of this. Between 2005 and 2006, he released Morale (with Rat-a- tat), Ukimwona (with the late Lady S) and Ni Wewe, before dropping his debut album Fungua Mlango.
For his effort, he bagged three awards for Best Boomba Pop, Best Collaboration (with Rat-a-tat) and Best Male Artist at the 2005 Kisima Music Awards. He also had four nominations in the Chaguo La Teeniez Awards for the song Ni Wewe as well as a nomination for the Groove Gospel Awards.
“The better part of my 2006 was spent touring the USA and parts of Europe promoting Fungua Mlango,” he recalls.
After his tours, he went back to studio and recorded yet another collabo, Mpaka Che with Jimw@t before taking another hiatus during which he set up his own studio, Chilli Inc.
According to him, this was a chance to have newcomers showcase their skill and also experiment with a new sound.
He recorded Twende Ndani, a song that debuted Reina as an artiste under his label. He also collaborated with French Boy in Sononeka and Sudi Boy in Mteja.
“The fact that I have not been doing many live performances locally doesn’t mean that I am out of the game,” he says, adding that he is currently in negotiations with several regional artistes.
The second born in a family of six, interestingly, had more interest in football than music, and was nicknamed “leftie” for his magical left foot that never let him down when he was also playing for Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA).
An astute sportsman, Pilipili also represented his school in various basketball tournaments.
A prospective career in football screeched to a halt when he was involved in a school car accident.
Away from music, he was part of a rap group imitating the likes of Tupac Shakur and B.I.G, but it wasn’t until he cleared high school that he decided to pursue the launch of his professional music career.
After long courtship with his fiancée, the two are now married and he describes her as ‘the most beautiful woman in the whole world’.
The singer has also been involved in various charity work among them, Touch A Soul Foundation, of which he is the goodwill ambassador.
“I have also worked with the Kenya Aids Control Council where, with other artistes, we were voluntarily tested in public to encourage and end the stigma associated with HIV testing.”
-By Caroline Nyanga
