Opposites attract, or so it is said. This statement has never been truer for the duo comprising Rebecca ‘Becky’ Ambiyo, 22 and Caroline Wangari, 22 who collectively refer to themselves as The Band Beca; a moniker made of the first two letters of their respective first names.
While Becky comes from a musical family, Caroline’s father is still hopeful of her daughter becoming a doctor.
Becky takes on the soprano voice type, while Carol has an alto voice. Thankfully, both voices blend so beautifully.
The two met at voice coaching school and became fast friends. “We auditioned for Sauti Academy (a voice school providing a one year artiste development programme for singers, poets and rappers) on the same day.
The moment I saw Carol in line for the auditions, I knew we would be friends, and we soon after started talking,” recalls Becky. “We have been close ever since.”
After graduating from their course in 2014, they both became background vocalists, backing up artistes like Wyre and Camp Mulla and scoring gigs at events like the SportPesa Festival.
It was while at an event in Kariobangi South that their team discovered them.
Their journey has not been an easy one, with education pursuits making it very inconvenient to pursue their passion.
“I started singing while in primary school, with low-key performances for my friends and family throughout my high school years,” says Caroline who took singing as a hobby.
“I participated in the chorals during the music festivals in high school, but with so many people in a choral, it was scary and very easy to hide, making it difficult for one to develop their vocals.”
“I had never thought of music as a career path. Growing up I always wanted to be a broadcaster but I was shy, so I did not know how that would work out,” she adds.
Becky on the other hand started her career very early. “I first went to the studio to record a song at the age of 6 years.
I was excited to go to the studio and just experience what goes on there,” she says, revealing that she accompanied her musician father to the studio after constantly insisting on singing.
But that was then and as time went by she got busy with school, giving music a back seat music and only going back to it when she joined the choir in high school. “I attended the Mary Leakey Schools and joined the choir in form one but only stayed till form two.
On joining form three, I had to get serious with my studies and music took a back seat, yet again.”
After high school Becky went in search of a music school, hoping to keep busy as she awaited the KCSE results and the consequent placement in university. That is how she ended up at Sauti Academy and met Caroline.”
Caroline’s parents had different plans for her career path.
“When I told my parents of my intentions to sing as a professional career, they struggled with the idea initially.
They are slowly warming up to it, now that they can see money coming from it and the passion I have,” says Carol of her parents’ reception.
Their songs have a certain groovy feel, especially their latest release Brathe with a hook so catchy it is bound to be a sing-along.
The lyrics to the song were written by Mordecai of H_art the Band and Bensoul. “Mordecai was our songwriter teacher, that is how we met him and became friends.” says Carol. “The ideas for the songs he writes for us are inspired by personal and life experiences,” she reveals.
“Our style varies depending on the mood, vibe and how we want to express the message.”
About the plan for the future, the duo insists that they are not about to short-change their fans by only releasing music when the mood strikes.
“We have a plan to consistently release music, and it is for this reason why we are putting our 100 per cent into this. Music to us is not a side hustle, it is our everything.” says Carol.
With regard to how they plan on staying together seeing that girl bands are highly susceptible to breaking up, Carol says, “We remain focused on why we formed the group in the first place.
In our case beside entertaining and giving quality videos with meaningful messages, we are focused on bringing back music to schools so that those talented in this art will not have to wait until they are done with high school to nurture their talent.”
