Why I parted with Calif Records

After rebelling from Calif Records to form his own entertainment establishment, Qtasi spills the beans on why he parted ways with the genge fathers, writes SHEILA KIMANI

P: Stilettos is your latest hit, right?

Qtasi: Yes it is, and I am glad about the positive reception it’s getting. I recently released it after leaving Calif Records and with the help of Je-C my new producer — who I believe has a good work ethic and understands me better as an artiste.

P: So Calif Records didn’t have the work ethic and understanding you needed?

Q: Honestly, yes. The way things were run at Calif was not entirely professional. Timeliness and strategy was rarely prioritised. In fact, I believe that had I still been in Calif today, Stilettos would still be an idea, rather than the hit song it is fast becoming.

P: What about those who have said that the actual reason you had few songs was because you are a lazy and impatient artiste...?

Q: If I were as lazy as they claim, then it would have taken me ages to release a new song, especially after leaving Calif. I would have probably gone back to the village too, like my song Narudi Ocha suggests, but as you can see, it only took me two months to release new music.

P: Calif sprung you into the limelight. Why bite the hand that fed you?

Q: Calif was my home for many years and I appreciate that. Clemo and I also put a lot of effort back when I was releasing Narudi Ocha — which sprung me into the limelight. We even pioneered the genge-RnB sound, but over the years, a lot of things changed.

P: What changed?

Q: Management started getting biased and artistes’ requests were often ignored. I realised that if I wanted to grow, I had to change my strategy or forever live uncomfortably within that stable.

P: So you left with a lot of bad blood?

Q: Bad blood was not intentional but when people try punching you, you get defensive and retaliate. I had no problems leaving Calif and I expected it to be a smooth transition, but when some people started claiming that I was lazy and even blocked my music on YouTube social media, there was a problem and it had to be solved head-on. In fact that was the most unethical thing about them.

P: Couldn’t your scores have been settled peacefully?

Q: Even if we could, I would still have left because I had made up my mind. Just like a man leaves his mother’s house, I had to leave Calif because the space there was proving to be too small for me to grow. My potential was not being maximised as I believed it should. Right now, I can say that I am growing and glad about it.

P: Now that you are free and not confined to a stable, what’s your plan?

Q: I, hence, established Qtasi Entertainment, which will be my new home and an entertainment hub that will strive to right the wrongs that we identify within the industry.

P: How exactly will you rectify those wrongs?

Q: As an artiste, I have first-hand experience of the plight some upcoming artistes face, so we shall have a team of producers including Je-C, choreographers, as well as stylists who will mentor, help and even get artistes links that will help them grow.

P: Isn’t that what every other entertainer is doing out there?

Q: We shall definitely have an edge because ours is a team of skilled individuals with a passion and a common goal. Seeing what we have done so far, our productions and the artistes’ developmental campaigns we are currently part of, all we can say is watch this space.

P: You are quite the manager. Why settle on music?

Q: I have a passion for music and since I believe in following dreams, I defied my parents and ventured into music despite being a Law school graduate. It has been a worthwhile ride and I believe it is now time to help and motivate others to realise their dreams.

P: Do we expect an album any time soon?

Q: Now that I am free to do my music as I would, the album will be out sooner than you think. My fans can listen to all my five singles on qtasientertainment.com.