Managing music

Mercy Wanjiku Ghau, 22, is an artiste manager who loves her job. She talks to MATILDA NZIOKI

How did you get into managerial work?

I went to Makuyu girls’ high school from form one to form two but I later moved to Komoroke Day High school. I joined Calif Records in Form Two as a rapper. I was very passionate about rapping and believed that one day I would be a rapper but I slowly got involved in managerial work.

While in high school I got involved in a project called Ma youths Tu Bomoe Drugs where I got the chance to work at the forefront of the campaign and even got to visit different school and talk to them about the dangers of drugs. Then after I finished high school I became the personal assistant to Thomas Muhondo, the artiste manager at Calif.

There I got to learn the ropes of artiste management but from a theoretical point because I spent my days in the office not really in field. When Size 8 left Calif in 2010, I also left.

Mercy Wanjiku Ghau. Photo: Agnes Rube/Standard

Why did you leave Calif?

I learnt a lot from Calif Records and I consider Thomas Muhondo as one of my mentors. I will be forever grateful to them for the opportunity they gave me but in 2010 I reached a point where I felt that I needed to grow. When Size 8 (Linet) left I saw an opportunity to grow .She did not have a manager and so I offered my services. I learnt a lot as her manager because now I was on the ground as opposed to being in the office. I was meeting clients, attending meeting and signing contracts. Apart from size 8 I have also worked with Eric omondi, Jaguar and MOG.

What does the job of a manager entail?

The job of a manager is wide and varies. A manager’s job is to branding, marketing and going for meetings on behalf of artistes. I also look through contracts and ensure that there are beneficial to my clients. If they are doing a show I ensure that they are paid upfront, ensure there is transport, food and accommodation.

What are the challenges of what you do?

I have learnt the hard way never to allow any artiste I manage to performance unless they are fully paid up front. There are unscrupulous promoters who lie that they will pay you after the show and then skip town. If you are an artiste you should never ever perform at a function where you are told you will be paid after they collect money from gate. Another challenge is that also a lot of artistes still do not understand the importance of hiring a manager.

Why did you decide to start your company Skimz Marketing?

I stopped managing Size 8 two months ago but we still work on projects together. While I was the managing her, I would always get calls from young upcoming artistes. Then late last year, I got the chance to do an interview on television and my number was given on air, I got over 200 calls that day.

Immediately I had my ‘aha’ moment. I realised that there was a gap in the entertainment industry. There were a few companies that deal with artiste management but mostly they manage established artistes or artistes who are in a record label but there was a gap for those artistes who were not upcoming and not affiliated to any of the Kenyan music label. So last year together with a friend, Mathews Opande we began Skimz Marketing.

Apart from the above what else do you do?

I am the director of Kaschana Kangae, a project initiated by Size 8. It is a project that involves providing sanitary pads to those who are less fortunate. I am very proud of being involved in this project. Kaschana Kangae enables us to not only give back to orphans and girl who come from impoverished backgrounds but it also enables us to mentor and encourage.

When did you decide to go back to school and what are you studying?

I joined the Kenya Institute of Management last year to study Procurement and Supply Management. I was not so keen to go back to school because I had a job with good pay but my mum convinced me that it was important to have papers and I do not regret my decision because I am enjoying the course.

Advice for young people?

Always keep busy because idleness is the workshop of the devil. During school holidays and even after you finish high school find what you are passionate about and nurture it because there you will find your purpose.