Eunice Gutu, better known as Lulu Kibaara tells us more on her career and future plans

Eunice Gutu, better known as Lulu Kibaara is a Kenyan artiste, model and actor who recently dropped her latest hit, Chizi, featuring Kristoff, which is causing ripples.

Pulse: Is the song Chizi based on personal experience?

Lulu Kibaara: When composing the song, I just wondered if the mentally unstable also get some loving at all. That love drug that drives anyone crazy. I was simply putting myself in their shoes. I still don’t have the answer though.

P: People remember you from Tusker Project Fame (TPF) 5. Can we say you are who you are because of TPF?

LK: TPF has not helped me learn anything at all let alone learn the ropes in the music industry. It only gave me publicity and my network grew in East Africa. I pulled myself out and learnt a lot from my music mentor, Kaz.

P: As her background vocalist, what did you learn from her?

LK: Kaz is simply amazing. She helped me with vocal coaching and advised me a lot regarding music and life in general. I grew vocally and Lulu Kibaara slowly emerged into what she is today.

P: Before that you were in a group. At what point did you decide to go solo?

LK: I have been performing all my life. As a child, my sisters and I would perform at weddings and get-togethers with my mother as the choreographer.

I started recording at the age of 16 with Kayte Charles and Priscilla, as a trio at Calif Records. I do not know the whereabouts of the two girls currently but they are both lawyers. Unfortunately our plans as a group did not go well because of school work.

P: Before the limelight came knocking, what were you up to?

LK: I graduated with a finance degree from Kenyatta University. I got a job but resigned as an accountant to pursue music as a career. I found accounting boring and needed to do something that would help me grow. At the time I was getting more from karaoke and as Kaz’s background vocalist. I also needed some flexible hours for band rehearsals and basically grooming myself to finally take up showbiz as a career. I had a plan before the plan.

P: Tell us about your clothing line, Lulusdrawers?

LK: I design for people my size and style though I will expand soon. My style is bold, daring, out-of-the-box and flattering.

P: What inspired the move?

LK: Necessity. After campus, I was called to perform at a corporate gig and I could not find anything simple, classy and affordable. I slowly began stitching by hand, bought sewing machines and practised different outfits on myself, my friends and family.

It is exciting to transform fabric into something gorgeous; it is an art. I now dress some bankers. YouTube has been my teacher and now I sew almost everything I wear. My mom was a tailor; I always reach out to her when I am stuck.

P: How different is Lulu Kibaara from Eunice Gutu?

LK: My mother had nicknames for all her children, mine was Lulu. Kibaara is a family name that is hopefully on its way to leaving a legacy. I do not identify with Eunice anymore; it is plain and says nothing. Eunice is reserved, Lulu is fierce and fearless. The microphone brings Lulu out.

P: What are your plans for the next five years?

LK: I am working towards being the best East African artiste. I have planned a concert dubbed Babysouls, which will be huge; I have been planning for it for some years now.

I am seasoning my skills as an MC, so showbiz hosting is definitely on the table. Lulusdrawers will have grown its net worth and customer base. Hopefully, I will have five children by then too. I am seriously working on it.