Flashback Friday: Singer Pili Pili; interruption and the art of reinvention

 Pili Pili Photo: Courtesy

Mention the name Peter Gatonye, and not many people – except musical buffs – will know who you are talking about.

 And it does not help his case that, after dropping a monster hit, doing several collabos, and being touted as Jua Cali’s successor in ‘Kingdom of Genge’, Peter Gatonye dropped off the radar. I am talking about Pili Pili.

The singer often referred to as, “mellow-voiced”. The singer who followed the footsteps of Darlin’ P out of Soweto/Kayole, and put these ‘hoods on the musical map.

And just to show that Pulsers could not get enough of him, he hogged two columns in Pulse: “Caught Out” and “Pin-Up”.

On Friday, October 28, 2005 the “Caught Out” page put a light touch on Pili Pili’s visit to a manicurist. The half a page was titled, “Boy Interrupted”.

Nasty things had happened on the street below, and they were staring from the salon’s window. And, boy, hasn’t s**t interrupted Pili Pili’s career.

Same day on the “Pin-Up” page was a slightly dapper Pili Pili, head slanted to one side, staring at the camera. He wore a light blue long-sleeved shirt, which was dark blue on the cuffs and collar, a sliver watch, washed out pair of denim, held up with a belt with an oval metallic buckle.  

The caption said that 24-year-old Pili Pili picked up three statuettes in that year’s Kisima Awards. “He is best known for Kamata Dame featuring Jua Cali, Morale and Ukimwona.

The singer is working on his album which will be released soon. He is currently single.”

Pili Pili was on an upward trajectory. Because, not every celeb appears in Pulse twice, on the same Friday. You must have or be something special.

Very special. Around that time, Morale was on heavy rotation. Plus, the fact that Pili Pili was on producer Clemo’s stable, Calif Records, put him on that very special roster.

The other half of “Caught Out” went to Pili Pili’s genge contemporary, Nonini, who was, literally, bowling in the US.

Over the years, Nonini has embraced and waved the magic wand: reinvention. He started his musical journey as the bad boy who dropped raunchy and booze-up hits.

Which made everyone, from Holy Joes to hookers, to notice. And like they say, any publicity is all good.

Nonini knew that the bad boy phase could only get him this far. Which is why he kept reinventing his brand, using other artistes, unique events like basketball games ... using any means necessary to remain relevant.

That is the only way that interruption cannot mess up an artiste’s game: reinvent. Work and rework the system. To be fair, Pili Pili has also tried to reinvent himself.

But it seems like it has not worked. Which is such a shame, considering the oodles of talent that this brother oozes from his voice box.

Will this brotha from Far East ever hog such space in Pulse, playlists and fans’ tickers? That only time, talent and “larynx grease” will tell.