Call him Mtoto wa Khadijah, call him a Gengetone veteran, but don’t call him the “king” of anything. Mejja has always played by his own rules. In a music scene obsessed with labels, he has chosen something rarer: authenticity. From Genge hits to modern-day anthems, Mejja continues to bridge generations, proving that real talent is not about the crown; it is about the connection.
At a time when labels and titles dominate conversations, “the king of this,” “the godfather of the game”, Mejja prefers to be himself.
“No! No! and absolutely not! I am not interested and don’t like being labelled such,” he says with characteristic bluntness. “I love singing and not those things. If at all, call me Mtoto wa Khadijah. I sing for people to have good vybes and a good time,” he states.
“You see, I normally want that when people get home and play my video, they should laugh, release that tension, and feel good for those three or so minutes they are watching me. Not just listening, but also watching my music should have that effect. It is a common theme in my videos, and it is intentional. You know, stress kills a lot of people, and if I can do something about it, then that’s my contribution. Music is the art of selling feelings.” He puts his point across.
It is this commitment to authentic expression that has allowed Mejja to cut across generational divides, appealing to both millennials and Gen Z listeners alike.
“I love music as a passion, in the same way someone else loves it for money,” he explains. “I also sing my truth because I have realized when you do that, people relate to that. You know, there is imaginative music, like I have a Lamborghini, but when you sing your truth, people also resonate with it because it comes from you. Music is an art of selling feelings, and for you to sell feelings, you have to be truthful.”
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Mejja’s journey has mirrored the evolution of Kenyan urban music. He first made waves in the Genge era with tracks that spoke to the everyday experiences of Nairobi youth, before seamlessly transitioning into Gengetone, and now Arbantone; a fusion that blends street sensibilities with contemporary African beats.
“One thing I am open to is working with everyone in the industry, from media, influencers, to artistes,” he says. “For the collabos, all of them, it is the owner of the song who first thinks of me and calls me to put in a verse. So, I am grateful because when I see artistes from other generations, they could have called any other artiste, but they considered me.”
That openness, paired with a talent for storytelling and infectious rhythms, has helped him stay relevant in a music scene that is often unforgiving to veterans.
When asked about the most valuable lessons he has learned throughout his career in the music industry, he admits that "patience" is the most vital.
He elaborates on this mindset by explaining, “There are times we have writer’s block. No ideas are flowing, and it could go for even months. During that time, other artistes will have released songs which are hits. So I tell upcoming artistes, not to panic. You know, there is what we artistes call a ‘panic release,’ where artistes just release music to respond to the market, and you’re not inspired. When you get to the studio, you don’t do it well because of pressure. You'd better chill for months. I haven’t released anything in several months. I’d rather leave you for some months with a good song than two weeks ago with a bad song. Just be patient, and that inspiring moment will find you.”
He also speaks candidly about learning how to read different audiences over the years.
“I have learned how to interact with different crowds better than when I started. My crowd at a club is not the same as a concert like Oktoberfest. Also, from my role as the ambassador of Captain Morgan, there is also the corporate element, and all these things come with time.”
Despite a career that puts him in the public eye, Mejja has remained fiercely protective of his personal life.
“People are different, and there are artistes who are comfortable doing that, but I am different,” he says. “My fans know me for my music, and I also enjoy my private life. I came to sing and entertain you guys. I want my kid to grow a normal life where they will be like any other kids, riding their bikes, skating, playing with their friends—just like any other family.”
This balance between personal privacy and public engagement is one of the reasons Mejja has been able to sustain a career that spans nearly two decades.
He understands that the art of music is as much about connecting with people as it is about protecting what grounds him.
Collaboration has been a key part of Mejja’s approach to staying relevant. One notable partnership is with DJ 4oxy, his DJ and a rising female talent in Nairobi’s music scene.
“It was simple,” he recalls. “I put out a poster asking DJs to send me their work, and she applied like the rest. I liked her work, and as they say, the rest is history. It has been an amazing ride.”
Beyond collaborations, Mejja also offers mentorship, sharing lessons from his experience with upcoming artistes. He emphasises authenticity, patience, and understanding one’s audience.
“You have to know the value of your work,” he says. “Don’t rush just to compete with the market. Make sure it comes from your heart, and it will resonate with people.”
For Mejja, music is not about awards, labels, or titles; it is about impact. “I sing for people to have good vybes and a good time. I want to make people laugh, release tension, and just feel good. That’s my contribution,” he says.
Fans can look forward to more from the versatile artiste, as he hints at an upcoming album that promises to capture the essence of his journey and the evolution of Kenyan urban music. While details are still under wraps, Mejja assures that it will be worth the wait.