Bringing the heat

Bringing Linet Masivo Munyali, 23, aka Size 8, is setting the industry on fire. She recounts to Shirley Genga her tough journey to fame

How do you feel about being nominated for Chaguo La Teeniez Awards Best Female Artiste and Best Live Performance?

I did not expect to be nominated. In fact, I still feel like I am dreaming. I am overwhelmed. It was just the other day I released my first single Size 8 and now I have been nominated against big names like Amani, Avril and Wahu.

Last year, I was the new artiste from Eastleigh and now big companies approach me to perform. The nomination is a confirmation that I have grown as an artiste.

You have also been nominated for best performance...

I am very honoured because in this category I am the only female competing with established names like Juliani, Redsan and Jimmy Gait. This is the biggest nomination because it is not just a female category.

What do you think makes your performances great?

I was born to perform and every time I get on stage, I give it my best knowing how far I have come to get here. It is truly a blessing to have dreamt of something and see it come to pass.

I also remind myself that everyone in the audience has paid to see me perform and they could have spent that money on something else hence they deserve to get the best. I never want a fan to leave my show feeling like they did not get what they paid for.

How has your life changed since you released your second single Shamba Boy last year?

My life has definitely changed financially. I can now afford to live comfortably and help others.

How do you ensure you maintain your focus?

I never forget where I have come from. I also keep my family and friends close because they remain real to me even when I get some hot air.

How was it dancing with Hon. Martha Karua during the Chaguo La Teeniez launch?

I was on top of the world because she is one of my role models. If music can give me this opportunity then I must be in the right profession.

You recently switched music labels moving from from Calif to Jomino, why?

I felt I needed to grow personally and career wise and so when the year began, I knew I needed something new. I needed a new sound and a new image.

I talked to Clemo about my intentions to move and we came to an understanding. I then searched for a new music label that produces the sound I wanted and Jomino was perfect. Their sound is catchy and captivating and is a commercial I can sell. You will notice that my latest single, Fire, has a different sound. I am working on a new video to be debuted this Friday.

Size 8

I also don’t like to be predictable and apart from changing my music sound, I have also changed my trademark — red mo-hawk. I have now cut my hair into a bob and dyed it orange.

Tell us something about your background?

I come from a humble background. I grew up in Eastleigh in a family of seven — two boys and five girls. Although we didn’t have all that we needed, I never lacked company.

From when I was a girl, I knew I wanted to be a singer or an actor. At primary school, I made sure I acted and sang whenever I got the opportunity.

When I joined State House Girls’ High School in 2003, I immediately joined drama club and was head of the club by Form Two. That year, I acted and directed our piece for drama festivals. And although we did not win, we got drama scholarships to study at Hillcrest School together with Edith Kimani of KTN and Jackie Maribe of K24 who were also part of the drama club.

Did you experience any culture shock moving to a private school?

A serious one! The first day I attended school, I saw some kids being dropped in a helicopter yet I had used a matatu from Eastleigh. I seriously believe I was the poorest, but the other student were all very nice to me.

Although I was intimidated at first, the teachers made us feel comfortable and welcome. I soon realised the best thing I could do was to be myself, which improved my self-esteem. And because of my confidence, I became popular.

It is at Hillcrest that I learnt one of the greatest lessons: Money idoes not define of who you are or where you are going.

How did you get into music?

After high school in 2007, I did not go to college because there was no money. All I knew was that I wanted to be a singer, but I did not have the connections or money to do anything about my dream. When I heard about the Tusker Projec Fame Two auditions in April the same year, I had to try out. Although I auditioned, I did not make it because I was under 21. I could not help crying.

Luckily, Clemo was one of the judges and I guess he saw talent in me because he asked me to drop by his studio. That was the beginning of my career.

You were allegedly in an abusive relationship last year...

It was around the time I released Shamba Boy. My boyfriend was verbally and physically abusive. My family and friends told me to leave, but for some reason, I stayed. It was only until he locked me at his place for a day and beat me up seriously that I finally walked away. I’m glad I did because I am better off now.

As women, we always know when something is not right. If you have tried everything to make a relationship work and doesn’t, it is important to walk away. The thing about abusive relationships is that the longer you stay, the harder it is to get out. My advice to all girls out there is to love themselves first before they can love someone else. Remember that there is no excuse big enough to warrant a man to hit you. My policy is that you are beautiful and deserve a man who can love you like you deserve. Do not settle for less.

Are you dating?

No, I’m not dating. I decided to take care of myself for a while and to concentrate on my career.

You recently started a charity project, how is that going?

Understanding where I have come from, I have always wanted to give back to society. Together with my friend Mercy Wanjiku we started the Smile Centre Foundation last year to help girls who cannot afford sanitary pads.

What makes this charity special and different is the fact that we do not accept money. We only take pads and if it is a cheque, we only take it if it is addressed to a supermarket. I have always been passionate about things that concern the girls. This project is close to my heart because I know what poor girls go through. Because I could not afford a sanitary towel, I used pieces of blanket. There were more pressing and basic needs then.

We also talk to the girls and encourage them to work hard in school and have big dreams. In conjunction with Stacy pads, we took pads to New Jogoo Road High School. I was accompanied by Edith Kimani (KTN) and Tanya (Tahidi high) among others.

You also have a blossoming acting career, tell us about that...

I act in a number of local programmes including Changing Times, Vioja Mahakamani and recently in Plot Ten.I also had a role in the MTV drama Shuga, I love singing but I’d never pass up an opportunity to act.

When can we expect an album from you?

Probably by the end of this year. It will be a mixture of everything. I hope I will be able to work with nameless, Nyota Ndogo and maybe a gospel group like MOG. I would also love to collaborate with Amani and Redsan.

Do you think you will win?

Being nominated is huge step, but I hope I can win. Please vote for me.