Nameless' big return

I had taken a break to think and create. I haven’t retired and I shall be releasing an album titled B4IR (short for Before I Retire),” he David Mathenge aka Nameless informs.

He is regarded as the father of the Pulse generation local showbiz industry. Marrying Wahu, the celebrated MTV Mamas award got the two branded Kenya’s First Showbiz Family. They became celebrate stars across Africa, producing hit songs one after another. Then, an awkward lull.

 His showbiz tenure reads like a journey. Thirteen years ago when the industry was at its infancy stage, Namelss was a little-known artiste who doubled up as an Architecture student at the University of Nairobi, but couldn’t keep his hands off from writing music.

“I didn’t want guys, especially my lecturers to know what I was doing and that is why I chose my name after having ridiculous ones that just weren’t working. For three years, no one knew it was me, Nameless the singer,” he says with a smile.

Much as he was about to give up even before he began, fate had a different plan as the one song he was writing would end up opening doors.

“I was listening to Kalamashaka as I wrote Megarider and at the time, I asked myself what I was doing. I couldn’t compete with such guys and I put my pen down.  Kalamashaka were big and none of us could dream being like them. However, I decided to just continue and do music in my own style,” he recalls, looking up as if living through that moment all over again.

He participated and won a competition on Capital FM, getting a chance to record with Tedd Josiah — that is how he released his first single that became a hit; Megarider.

“In my return, I will be experimenting a lot but retain the Nameless tune people know. I will be playing with different styles like how will I sound on a reggae, or hip-hop track? I’ll also be working with producers from US, Europe and Uganda. I don’t want to be predictable. I want to release music that is good and timeless,” he talks of his plans while gesticulating with his hands, a clear indication of his passion.

“I haven’t retired, I have a lot of things to do. I would just avoid big shows and interviews because I wasn’t promoting much. I had many shows in Kampala in December. I did many tours even in the United States, which I thank God for,” he explains.

Now, gone is the trademark du-rag. He shed off the image three  years ago and replaced that with a new yet-to-be-finished hairstyle.

 As he shows me  his trimmed hair on the side and his trademark dreads in the middle, I ask if fans should expect some edginess or whether he shall be keeping it safe.

“I will but not all wild. I can’t go all crazy, it will be a middle point that is palatable,” he replies.

His new single, African Beauty, which was produced at his studio with the help of Kevin the Geek and Dillie, is a dedication and celebration of the African beauties. ‘’Most of my fans are African and I appreciate them,’’ he says.

A busy man indeed, when he is not running his businesses, which include audio and visual recording companies or working as a part time architect, with music now taking his focus as he seeks to release a new song at least monthly, his growing family takes the rest of his time.

With two lovely daughters Tomiso who is eight and the new addition Nyakio, going home and spending time with his family keeps him going. His wife, the celebrated Wahu also contributes to his success.

“No music can pass without her approval. Sometimes I can get an idea at night and I can’t wait for her to wake up I share it with her. We advise each other,’’ he says smiling.

Just like any other marriage that has its fair share of trials, he terms what they have as beautiful.

“It’s good but it has its challenges. We look at the positive, understand each other and we’re friends with a family business on top of both being in music. Her foundation keeps us strong. We could be fighting, but if someone tries to threaten our family, we drop everything and come together.’’

A philanthropist as well, he hopes to do more. He currently works with Miss Koch (Korogocho), Billian Music a young man from the slums bringing up kids, Street Nizers who rehabilitates and helps street kids, and the little known Hemophilia society.