Joyous Joey

Joey Muthengi juggles between radio, acting and rapping and gets to enjoy it all, writes Shirley Genga

Pulse: Tell us about yourself?

Joey: I studied at Rift Valley Academy. My parents would travel a lot to the States and so we moved back and forth. I have two brothers and two sisters. I’m the last born in my family closely following Holy Dave. I have always been a tomboy; hanging around him and doing everything he did. I love my jeans and my sneakers; you will only find me in dresses when I go out for events.

P: How is life in Kenya different from life in US?

J: Life in US is very hard, you never get to enjoy your money because you are busy working three jobs to make ends meet or to pay out credit card debts. The only advantage is that things are more convenient and institutions deliver intended services effectively.

P: You are currently featuring in a new song?

J: Yeah. It is called Kenya We Pray and it is a patriotic song involving eight Kenyan artistes. They include: Juliani, Frasha, DNA, Collo, Angela of Tattuu, Jua Cali and June Gachui, and it is funded by Bernsoft Studios. The whole idea was inspired by the current political climate.

P: How did you become part of the song?

J: At first I was a little hesitant because I did not know who they were. I do not do music full time so when I put my name on something it has to be worth it, but after I found out what it was all about I jumped in with both feet.

P: How did you get into rapping?

J: My brother loved to rap and loved to rhyme and that was how I fell in love with hip-hop. While at the States I did a lot of spoken word at coffee houses just to release stress. My brother is the one who actually nudged me to do music.

He is always in the studio and because I hang out a lot with him, I found myself in

Joey

the studio. He is the one who even got the beat for my songs and acts as my manager. My songs so far include Being Me, Get it right and Replay.

P: People compare your style of rapping to STL’s…

J: STL is doing big things now and it is an honour to be compared to her, but at the same time I would love people to see me as an individual and not to compare me with anyone.

P: Can we expect an album from you anytime soon?

J: Currently my rapping career is a bit on hold. I do it as a hobby now because of my busy schedule, so you will only find me in collabos or remixes. The album will have to wait a little while.

P: What did you study in college?

J: I attended Hope College in Michigan between 2003 and 2006 and studied Communication. Originally I was more interested in Television Production but after an internship at Voice of America where I did radio, I changed my mind. I really enjoyed radio. After college, I was still confused, so I moved to California and joined graduate school where I pursued film production. I studied it for just one semester then booked a flight back home without informing my parents. I only informed them two weeks prior to my arrival home.

P: How did you get into Radio in Kenya?

J: When I came in 2008, I wanted to get a job; any job so that my parents would not think I was a free loader (laughs). I sent my CV to media houses but whenever I went for interviews I was told Kenyans would not relate to my accent. So by the time I got an interview on December 2008 at Capital FM, I was nervous but I’m glad the then Head of Programming Seanice Kacungira gave me a chance.

P: How did you get into television?

J: By 2009, I realised that I was not getting a full time gig; I was just doing a little bit of everything. So I decided it was time I did something new. I heard about auditions for the Can U Dance? show and I decided to try my luck. There were like 50 people who came for auditions and I got the job. Last year I also got to host Vibe City.

P: How did you get into acting?

J: After, Can U Dance? ended, I literally went to KTN daily to find out if there were any openings. On one of the days, I heard about a new show and managed to get to audition for it and the rest is history. I get to play Elizabeth on Changing Times, a young woman married to a rich man who has children her age. She is very conniving and all she does all day is to shop and make her hair.

P: Last year in April you took over Hits not Homework. What has been the experience?

J: Eve had been at it for eight years. The show was literally like her baby so from the beginning I knew I had big shoes to fill. Things were tough at the beginning as it took fans a while to adjust but now things are great.

P: How do you balance everything from acting to radio?

J: It is all about prioritising. I usually shoot my scenes two times a week. I not only host but produce Hits not Homework and at times I get emcee jobs so by the time I get home I’m exhausted.

P: Are you currently dating?

J: I am not dating. I’m taking a little break.

P: But you were dating DNG at some point?

J: Yes, two years ago. I met him during the Can U Dance? show. We had a lot in common so things just took off. However, things did not work. We would break up and make up often until we finally called it off. We are now just good friends.

P: You are always hanging out with Shaffie. Are you dating him?

J: Shaffie is a good friend of mine. He is like my advisor in the industry as he has been in it longer. Whenever I get offered a gig I call him first to find out his opinion. I met him after my break-up back in 2009 and he is great to hang out with. I’m an introvert so it is good to have a friend who is more social.

P: Where do you see yourself in five years?

J: I definitely plan to go back to school. I come from a family that is passionate about education. My dad has a PhD, my mum has a Masters degree, and even Holy Dave is currently pursuing his Masters. Perhaps that album will have come out by then.RLEY GENGA