The rise of Everlast: This is Gudi Gudi

 Everlast Photo: Courtesy

Pulse: You are the hottest newcomers in the showbiz game and many were taken by surprise when you curtain raised for internationally renowned Ghanaian born UK-based Fuse ODG and Nigeria’s Flavour recently. How was it like to share the stage with them?

Everlast: The feeling was amazing judging from the immense support we got from the crowd. This is a clear indication that we are headed in the right direction. This aside we will be curtain raising for Tiwa Savage this weekend during the BBQ concert in Nairobi. We thank God for everything.

P: You started off as dancers and even won the Sakata dancing competition in 2013. This wasn’t your first time in the competition, right?

E: We participated in Season II and III where we emerged third in Season III. We strongly believe that our experience in the previous contests gave us an edge over our competitors. We also had a unique dancing style called Stamina. We also invested in new costumes which earn you points as well.

P: How did you meet?

E: We all come from Busia. However, we met in 2009 as dancers of the YMCA. This gave us a platform to do our rehearsals and we later got a chance to entertain at a club named Boda Palace in Busia during jam session as high school students.

P: Were your parents supportive of your career choice taking into consideration that you were still young and vulnerable?

E: At first, it wasn’t easy but with time we got a chance to participate in various competitions during which we won some prizes. These saw things change as we slowly managed to win fan’s their confidence and support.

P: How did you join Sakata?

E: Wyre the Love Child invited us to perform in Busia during a tour he had and that is how we linked up to later get this breakthrough. He was so impressed with our unique dancing skills. He advised us to try out in the competition.

P: You won Sh1 million. What did you do with it?

E: We invested some of it in various businesses and also opted to record our first audio Stamina in 2014 at Grandpa Records. Unfortunately the video was never released.

P: Why wasn’t it released?

E: Despite the fact that we gave video producer Wallace the sum of Sh150,000 to shoot our debut video for some reasons he never did.

P: Did you do a follow up? I mean, Wallace is still around and recording...

E: Our efforts to track him down bore no fruits as we were new in the music industry. This forced us to take a break from music out of frustration.

P: That means you almost gave up...

E: Not really. We went ahead to release another single this year April, a track titled Symptoms za Madharau at Pacho Records, which revolves around the challenges upcoming local musicians face in the industry including its video’s saga. Still, not so lucky, it received lukewarm reception.

P: Is that the reason you opted to work with Rapdamu and Kristoff in your latest track Gudi Gudi? E: Yes. We are glad that the song has been greatly appreciated and continues to do so. The best is yet to come.

P: How do you manage to balance between your entertainment career and education?

E: Well, it all comes down to strategy. As students in various colleges we try to find time to follow our heart desires at all cost while at the same time acknowledging the importance of education.

P: Any plans of releasing an album soon?

E: Truth is, we are currently focusing on releasing a series of feel good songs that blend various genres to enable us keep up with the marketing strategies once we compile our debut Gudi Gudi album in the making.