Amani speaks on lingering rumours

By SHIRLEY GENGA

Singer Cecilia Wairimu aka Amani delves into what she has been up to, lingering rumours, her music, new projects and much more.

Pulse: Last year you won a prestigious Mama Award. How has your life changed since then?

Amani: Winning a Mama Award is a great honour. It has been a wonderful and fantastic but hectic ride since winning as it has opened many doors for me in countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Djibouti. Thus the market for my music has grown bigger and that has been a mind-blowing experience for me.

P: Some critics argued that you didn’t deserve the award.

A: I have been working so hard. Over the ten years that I have been in the industry I have continually grown. Prior to winning the Mama I had won seven awards that included three Chaguo la Teeniz, three Kisimas and one Pearl of Africa Award. So I did not just win out of the blue, it was a result of many years of hard work and dedication.

P: You have been underground for a while. What have you been up to?

A: I had not really gone underground. I have been in the studio working on something new, plus I have been performing outside Kenya. Recently I was out of the country for about three and a half weeks. I had shows in the UK and US. I also took some time to relax. My life sometimes gets so crazy that I barely have time for myself and I needed a short break, even if it was for a little while.

P: Most ridiculous rumour…

A: Is that I was pregnant. It was very hilarious. When it was spreading I was in the US and I read it online. It was so ridiculous it really cracked me up. Guys need to chill out a little. There will be no babies from me before I get married. Marriage first. I’m old school like that. Ha! Ha! Ha!

P: How do you deal with public life?

A: I have come to understand that as long as you are in the public, things that are not true will always be published. That comes with the territory. I never come out and try to oppose the story or give my version because it only adds fuel to the story and furthers someone else’s agenda. I simply hold my head high and continue to do my work and let it speak for itself.

P: When you first came to the scene, it was all about the jeans, cargo pants and techno music. What inspired the change to a sexier and feminine image?

A: I have always been a tomboy. Even now I have a little of it left. I also loved techno music and so when I first came on the scene it was all about hair pushed back and jeans paired with my T-shirts. In 2006 I felt I needed a change. I needed to grow and do something different and I was getting more interested in pop music and wanted to try the genre. So before I crossed over to pop, Ogopa told me that if I wanted to be a successful artiste, I had to be more refined (laughs). So I went and did some soul searching and came up with an new image that would not only make me marketable but one that I was comfortable in. I’m not the typical Kenyan beauty. I’m not a ‘yellow yellow’ with a big butt (laughs). I’m dark skinned and petite, so I decided to go for a more feminine look.

P: What were some of the changes that came with the new look?

A: It was so funny because I used to be that ‘ka’ ordinary girl who never got that much attention. All over sudden I was the centre of attraction and those boys who never knew my number were calling me. It’s very interesting what a look can do for you. But don’t get me wrong; it’s not just about the look but the attitude you portray.

P: You are making in-roads in the movie world. Tell us about it?

A: I met Yves Tchoota, a film director, and Amardeep Kaleka, a film editor on one of my visits to US and they wanted to shoot a film in Kenya. They needed a contact person, someone who knew the terrain or who could get them contacts within the film industry in Kenya. I took the role of associate producer and the film, titled Wamba, was shot for 18 days last year in June. It’s about the stigma attached to Aids.

P: Did you act in the movie?

A: They really tried to get me to act but I was not ready for it, but watch this space because in future I will make my debut in movies.

P: What did you learn about films and will you be involved in another film in future?

A: It was a wonderful experience. I was there for the 18 days the film was shot and I learnt a lot. Making a film is not easy; bringing a script to life needs the producer, directors and cast to all have the same vision. As the associate producer I was the middleman into the Kenyan film industry for the filmmakers. It was a great learning experience watching the movie come to life, and if another opportunity comes to work on another film, why not?

P: When will the movie come out?

A: I’m not sure. The film was taken to Los Angeles for editing. I’m hoping it will be out soon.

P: How do you avoid getting caught up in celebrity life?

A: My mum is a strong influence in my life and she will definitely bring me back to reality in case I get over myself. My family members have been with me even before I was Amani. If you are a celebrity and only hang out with friends who knew you after you became a celebrity then you will never be yourself and you will easily get caught up in everything.

P: Who is your role model?

A: That will have to be my mother. I can talk to her about anything. Whenever life gets crazy and I get stuck, I always turn to her. My mother always knows how to make me feel better. We talk about everything from work to boys. Even when I’ve met two guys and I do not know whom to pick, I always go to her.

P: What don’t guys know about you?

A: I grew up in ushago in a very secluded place and we had no neighbours to play with. My siblings and I often played with the animals on our farm. We were so naughty that we were always getting into mischief everywhere we went, so much so that my mother was even scared to take us to visit relatives and friends (laughs). I was so naughty in my high school that even when I was not in school, my name would appear on the list for trouble making (laughs).

P: Is it hard to date when you are in the public eye?

A: It is a challenge sometimes, because first, men like the idea of a lady who is exclusive to them.

As an artiste that is hard since over weekends and sometimes at night you are out performing or touring. Second, men will often want to date Amani, forgetting that she is my alter ego. I’m not Amani all the time but Cecilia Wairimu. When the bright lights go off I’m Cecilia. Whenever I date someone and he keeps calling me Amani and not Cecilia, that’s a sure sign that we cannot get along as he may be in love with the image of Amani and not the real me.

P: Are you in a relationship?

A: No, I’m not in a relationship. I’m dating though but not exclusively and enjoying every moment of it.

P: A dating rule that is important to you?

A: Never ever call a guy unless we are in a clearly defined relationship. After all isn’t the man meant to do the chasing?

P: You did a degree in business at USIU. Do you have any regrets for pursuing music instead of business?

A: I don’t regret taking the path that I have taken, plus the business course I did was not a waste. In fact it has helped me better market myself as an artiste. As for going back to school, I will not be doing that anytime soon. I’m okay in the music industry (laughs), which is my school as I keep learning and growing constantly.

P: What’s next for Amani?

A: I do not want to reveal anything just yet, but I want people to know that I’m working on a project and they should be prepared for something big.