Machahood based deejay Kinyash who beat all odds to emerge tops

 Dj Kinyash

Mfalme finalist who does not “pigeon hole” himself to one particular genre of style has been everywhere thrilling fans with his incredible works writes CAROLINE NYANGA

P: You managed to be among  the finalists during the gigantic Pilsner Mfalme deejaying competition, what does this mean to you?

K: It’s such a great achievement for me. At first I was doubtful if I would make it. You know how Nairobi people value and appreciate their own. I was amazed that day when I took to stage amidst a mammoth crowd who cheered on.

My heart almost skipped a beat. I didn’t know the competition was such a big affair. I was grateful to have comfortably beaten hundreds of other competitors to emerge in the finals alongside Joe Mfalme, Kaytrixx and Krowbar.

P: What makes you special?

K: I believe I bring it out as it is. With the changing trends in music I strive not to let my fans down and that is why I give out my best during shows. To achieve this I practice and rehearse wherever I am. I always give my performance intensity before I step on the podium. And the results are amazing.

P: How would you describe your style?

K: I’m a self-conscious deejay with a style that is diverse and original. My ability to fuse trending music with local indigenous and cultural vernacular melody (both new and old) including Lingala is a bonus.

P: What inspires you?

K: Every day I live for my fans. When I wake up I ask myself if my audience would be comfortable listening to the new songs that I am playing. Will they be inspired or dejected with the lyrics? And that is why I inject my numbers with the message of hope for the coming generations.

P: Where do you spin usually?

K: I am based at club Wizards club in Machakos – but at the same time I am freelance mobile deejay. Last December I was at Barrel Lounge, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for two weeks. The turnout was great.

P: Challenges faced?

K: Breaking into the Nairobi market was a major issue during the initial stages of my music career but I am glad I made it.

With the seemingly increasing number of deejays with only a few genuine ones – the bogus ones are known to download our already mixed tapes during events besides charging lower rates spoiling for the rest of the deejays.

P: You quit campus to pursue music?

K: My passion for entertainment prompted me to forfeit my high diploma in Management of Information as a Third Year Student at Mbangathi Multi Media University in 2004.

I decided to follow my childhood dream and my heart yearning which was amusement.  However, this came with a prize as my parents in particular my father was not supportive of the choice I made over my education.

P: What followed next?

K: I joined Homeboyz Deejaying Academy where I nurtured my music skills further. With time I introduced my expertise in Machakos town besides being called upon to perform during various private and corporate functions countrywide.

P: Memorable moments of your career?

K: When I recently trended as a guest deejay on Capital FM for thirty minutes. We had so many hits that appealed to our listeners. Also when I beat hundreds of Nairobi based deejays to make it to the finals during the 2009 Pilsner Mfalme Competition.

P: Embarrassing moments of your career?

K: When I did a gig for former president Kibaki and Hon Munyao in Kalau (interior Makueni) and suddenly the generator went off. I had no choice but to incorporate a choir group using scaled down speakers.

Another was during a gig for Uhuru Kenyatta when I ended up pressing the wrong button that brought out a hissing sound on his microphone. The end result was a ghastly look from his excellency Uhunye … before I could finally get my act together.

P: Who is deejay Kinyash?

K: A man of many faces. Apart from being an entrepreneur, farmer, a mentor, market insurer and owning a cloth line, I am also the CEO of Anthems Entertainment and Events Mobile Solutions, besides owning Wizards club in Machakos town where I am based.

P: How do you handle female fans?

K: Although I try to be nice to them because they make me who I am but I have my limits.  During my entire gigs spanning 10 years I never picked a woman.

P: Advice to fellow deejays, and aspiring ones?

K: They should strive to do their own set up if they hope to give fans quality entertainment. On the other hand, aspiring deejays should learn to take the profession seriously rather than viewing it as a hobby.

P: What are your music predictions?

K: We will see the biggest changes not in entertainment, but the way we as performers interact with it via technology.