 S.P.M. You different from the rest. I swear nobody contest. Steady curing my depression. I carry you like a leaf on my head. A.C. S.P.M. Different from the rest. In East Africa every curing my depression. I carry you like a leaf on my head. Don't touch it. We're outside. What's up my people. It's your boy Batman Q and we're outside in Kenya and Nairobi. I'm a single songwriter, fashion model and we're out here man. I'm proud to be here. I'm excited. Let's get it. It's nice having you on S.P.M.B.S. Kenya's number one digital media. How do you feel to be in Nairobi the land of beautiful art, beautiful culture, beautiful people, beautiful music? First things first. Okay cool. First things first. I did not think Nairobi would be this cold. Trust me. I did not think it would be this cold and I love it. Coming from Nigeria, which is quite hot, I came in here and it's been cold and chilled. What's it called? My Yanks has been very pretty. They've been so welcoming and I've just been having a swell time. You all have beautiful women here and I feel like the men don't even appreciate them enough. You feel me boy? You all have beautiful women here and you all should be very proud of that man, to be honest. Why do Kenyans men don't appreciate their own beautiful women? You know how it is when it comes to Nigerian men? We know how to take care of women and everything. Kenyan women, I have not seen such free, free spirited people as Kenyan women. They have such an open mind and open heart and it's just been like a learning, exciting experience. Shout out to Kenyan women. You're the beautiful. What is beautiful in your eyes? Beautiful in my eyes. It's both the physical, mostly inside out. You feel me? So you might be beautiful physically but inside you're just one, you're just not that. You have no soul at all. You get me? So beauty to me is when you have soul that shines through inside out. Nairobi, you're here with your team, management team. You're here with your good music. What is in store for us Kenyans? You know collaborations, club hostings, radio interviews, shout out to SP, you all are the best to be honest. It's just been interviews, club hostings, collaborations and the likes. Just basically experiencing Nairobi. Nairobi culture and a good vibe music. Now, why do you have to come to Nairobi to push your music? Is it something that Nigerians have to, when you're born, you've been told for you to be an artist that's a superstar. You have to go to Nairobi for Kenyan's blessing. Absolutely yes because listen, Kenya is basically like the hub of East Africa if you're being honest, do you understand? And then Afrobeat has become a global phenomenon that it's not just a Nigerian thing now, it's like an African thing. We are selling Africa and its culture. So why we come to Kenya? Because Kenya is one of the most important regions in Africa. So yeah, I mean Kenya stands tall when it comes to music. So yes, of course, Kenya was very important for us to push the music. Kenya has been rocked the best. Mostly Afrobeat is played in Kenya, like 85%. Imagine every big artist has performed in Nairobi. Is it that Kenyans love Nigerian music, love Afrobeat and Kenyans appreciate good music? I found out, okay, so like the first night that we came here and we went to the club, right? It was mostly Nigerian music and I was so proud because the way the rest of the world carries Afrobeat is the same way Kenya carries it. And we are humbled by it, do you understand? That Kenyans love Nigerian music and the way they carry it. So it's like a thing of being humbled and thankful and being appreciative of the fact that Kenyans love good music and love Nigerian music and play it in the clubs and in their private times they get me, so yeah. Is rumours that Nigerians don't appreciate Kenyans music back in Nigeria? That is absolutely not true because we bobbed to South East Seoul every time. We bobbed to South East Seoul all the time. All the TV stations, all the radio stations, they bobbed to Kenyans music. Nigeria is basically like we play music from every culture, every diaspora, you feel me, so yeah. Do you have maybe specific songs now like you have a Kenyan favorite song so far? Kenyan favorite song. So it was this, there's some African beauty. They are like other songs that I really can't actually remember right now, but the music from this part of the world is soulful and it's beautiful to listen to, so yeah. As an artist, what comes in mind when you hear Kenyan music, when you hear about someone appreciating talking about Kenyan music, Kenyan industry? Kenyan industry, Kenyan music, I feel like you'll have so much soul in your music. You guys sell so much soul in your music, especially like when it comes to the melodies and the harmonies and you know, like the writing scheme and what you guys talk about in the music. Even when you guys sample music, you'll sample it even better than the main artist that made the music again. So it's like a gift to watch how Kenyans create music and basically sell music, you feel me, so yeah. The key elements for an artist maybe to be successful in the music industry, of course there's music business, there's management, but the way artists carry himself, the brand, the image, the way I look up to you, you know, the way you dress, the way you're talking, the way you're here presenting, someone can tell, I'm a Canadian for you, who you name Sunny? In Kenya we call Sunny as an artist. Is it a mask for someone, the image of an artist? I mean branding is important, image is important and in order to sell your music, you have to sell your brand too. Music is bigger than just singing and going into the studio. You have to also sell who you are, your dressing style, your personality, you know, just basically showing your full personality as a person, as an artist, that is what being an artist means. So branding and imaging is very important and the way I dress, I dress the way I feel like you feel me. This is how I feel, you know, trendy streets where I'm abstract, this is how I dress and that is how I am, you know, generally. Branding is very key, of course you need a team, you need a management team. As an artist, how do you see someone working without a management? I mean, it just depends though, there are so many independent artists there doing so well, do you understand? You don't necessarily have to be signed to a label but then again, it's important to have a team backing you because music is a very capital intensive industry that you would need, it takes like a whole village to push one brand. So it's important to have a team, it's important to have a management to basically help you delegate and push your brand and they have to believe in you, that's the most important thing. They have to believe in your music, in your sound, in your person, in your goals and dreams. You feel me, so that's how it is man. Well growing up as an artist, you know, I believe you had the role models in the industry, in the Nigerian industry, someone you look up to every single day. Now the Nigerian music industry has changed their narratives, their conversation, you know, great producers, great directors, big labels in Nigeria, you know, how would they maybe get a chance maybe to work with a few individuals, have they impacted your music career? Yeah, of course, of course, like I used to write songs for the mavens as donjazzies, you know, labels, shots, donjazzies man, you know, it's been an experience and yeah man, I've been inspired by a whole lot of artists growing up, you know, Too Faced, Peace Square, Whiskey, The Vido, Burner, I love Burner boy, you feel me, so that them and a lot of other acts that have shown and proven to us that it's possible to make it in this industry to use your passion as a means of income and livelihood, you feel me, so yeah, it's something to... Yeah, a lesson you've learned from them and what you can pick up from them maybe? I mean just focus and be patient because it's a long road, it's a marathon, it's not like a one-time thing, it's a marathon, so you just need patience and focus and of course God is very important. Of course God is very important but people believe in shortcuts, you know, there's juju, I don't know. There's no shortcuts, so hey, there's no shortcuts, there's only one way and that's the way of God, you know, there's only one way, you work hard and believe in God, that's just the way man, there's no shortcuts. Yes, there's no shortcuts, trust me. Do you believe in, you know, having good fathers maybe, you know, they get keepers to help you, brand, reach a certain level, you know, the connection maybe. If you can perform on Afrobeat, for example, Afrochela, you can be, now people can compare you as the great, if you have a collaboration with certain artists, for example, Bonobo Ida Vido, it will help your brand to go maybe your musical career to escalate to another level. I mean, I believe there's only one Godfather and there's the God Almighty. I don't believe in Godfatherisms, right, but I believe in collaborations, the industry is about supporting each other, the industry is about collaboration. So when you're able to align yourself with certain entities and certain people, you realize that, you know, it takes a whole village. So if you have the opportunity to find yourself with a gatekeeper per se or a Godfather, if both of your energies are aligned, then of course, you know, they will be used to basically take you up to the next level. How's the journey so far? The journey has been, you know, it has been a learning curve, and it's been a process that I have tried, that I have learned to basically take in and learn from, you know, and I'm still learning, and it's been blessings and blessings, so yeah. Like I said before, focus, believe in God and dedication. You need to, you know, be persevered, like always persevere, always keep going, don't stop, keep going, don't stop, because definitely you will get there, you know. Definitely you'll get there, but of the oldest destruction, you know, family issues are always there, you know, if you have a girlfriend, love, you know, you can balance, you know, you have your music life, you have your family life, you know. I don't know how you're juggling all this. Do you see yourself maybe giving chance, dating a fellow celebrity, a fellow artist in the industry, just to make it easy for your music to work out? Of course, of course, like I don't have a problem being with an artist or a celebrity per se. I just feel like away from our job descriptions, right, if we like each other, if our spirits align, then of course, you know, we'll try to see where it goes, of course. So I have no problems dating a celebrity or an artist because I feel like it's even better because you both understand how the industry is, so you would know that certain things that may or may not come out there isn't all that it seems per se, you feel me, so yeah. Everyone is learning the music business because when you come to releasing of singles and collabs, it's always hard when we have numbers on social media, you can have massive numbers on social media, across all social media platforms. You can have up to, for example, 5 million. No, but when it comes to distribution, is it that people that follow us, do they really, really appreciate our work, support our work? Because if you can have, for example, 10 million followers across all social media platforms, you need to reflect on the streams. Most times it doesn't work that way, like the fact that you have 10 million followers does not necessarily mean that you would, like, it would impact your streams and your DSPs. So I just feel like what helps is the consistency. If you're consistent about your music and basically showing what your brand is and showing your personality, you will find even people that do not follow you stream your music, you know, so that's how it is. Now we're here in Nairobi, I understand to push your music for collabs and everything, and we have so many great artists to work with. Of course you believe in collaboration, right? Absolutely. So where do you see yourself in the Kenyan market? When you come back now, next year, maybe for another media, another tour, where do you see yourself? I see myself doing, making music with at least two artists from Kenya. I have my own mind on South East Soul, I have a mind on Nikita, and, of course, Calligraph Jones, you know, so, I mean, these are the people that I really would love to work with, and hopefully by then we'll be shutting down shows in, you know, Kenya together, you feel me? So, yeah. Are you self-performing for Kenyans, maybe next year? Of course, of course, of course. I really hope to perform at big stages here in Kenya, you know, so, yeah. East African market is very diverse, you know, people, I really, people are honest, people are genuine. Do you see yourself maybe engaging your art in music? Do yourself now becoming maybe there, you know? The David of East Africa, you know? It's possible, in fact, Yemi Alade did it, P-square did it, so, Diamond is doing it, you feel me? So, I mean, why not? Of course, I can't be big in East Africa, and being big in East Africa is huge because the fans here, they are dedicated, they will follow you till the end of the earth, you feel me? So, again, shout out to the people in Kenya, East Africa streaming my music. I appreciate you guys. It's all love from this side, you know? Is there maybe something you've learned from these great East African artists, like the likes of Eddie Kenzo from Uganda, now Diamond from East Africa, and what they're doing in East African market? I like how they are propagating East African music, you know, especially when it comes to their own language. If you listen to Kenyan music, Tanzanian music, Uganda music, you will see that they blend a bit of English with Swahili, and their own language. I love how East Africans own their language through their music. Even though I don't know what they're saying, I still sing to it because it's sweet. It makes sense. It's very melodious, you feel me? So, yeah, that's something to hold on to when it comes to Kenyan music and East African music. Our Kenyan artists, East African artists have their own strategic way of pushing music. For example, they believe in Kiki. Kiki is more of creating a scandal, a controversy just to push, just to hype when you want to release a music. I don't know if Nigerian artists, maybe you as an artist, do you prefer maybe, do you see that's a way or it's a shortcut? Because most artists when they release the song in one hour or a few hours, you will see like one million views randomly, but it doesn't reflect in terms of now the comments and the subscribers. All I see on that is to each his own, so, you know, if it works for you, it works for you. Personally, I don't believe in make-believe. Even though this is show business, you get me? I don't personally believe in make-believe. I believe in organic. I believe in just letting the universe take its course and let your dreams just fall in line the way it's supposed to fall in. Rather than you trying to manipulate stuff just to get ahead, I don't believe in that. You know, but again to each his own. If it works for you, go ahead, be the great man that you can be. Personally, I believe in step-by-step growth. I believe in organic growth. Show business works in Nigeria. We've seen David O'Pana, but you're not leaving large. It definitely works, but it's bigger than just show business. It's about their talent, about their brand positioning and how they have been able to stay consistent from over decades, you feel me? So it's bigger than just show business. It's just about consistency and back-to-back grinds. So yeah, that's how they've been able to stay up there for decades. Between hard work and talent, if I'm to pick something from you, what is it? And why? I would say hard work. Why hard work? Because I know I have the talent, right? But even though I have the talent, I am not relaxed and just dwelling on just my talent. I work hard to make sure that my talent does not go to waste. You feel me? So I try as much as possible to work as hard as I can and stay consistent when it comes to my music. So it's hard work for me, man. If you were to advise a younger self of yourself, what is that advice you would advise to yourself? Don't think too much. Don't overthink anything. Just go with the flow and be patient and just trust the process. Don't overthink anything. I'll tell my younger self to not overthink anything. Life will take you to where you are meant to be. No matter how long it takes, you will get there. What do you see yourself in the next two, three years? Bigger than I am right now. Globally, my brand and my music, I know I will be bigger than what I am right now. And I also hope to have collaborations, international collaborations. I mean, of course, I'll get that international applause and I just know that in the next two, three years I will be bigger than where I am now. If I were to ask you this question, it might sound maybe weird. I'll give you options. One, you have the biggest hit in the world. You perform for an international festival. One, another option can be I give you a chance to work with a biggest artist. So what's the first option again? The first option is that I give you a collaboration with the biggest artist. You choose between a collaboration with the biggest artist or I give you a second option is that you have a biggest artist to feel in the biggest arena like O2 Arena. To feel or to perform. I'll mention this one. I give you a collaboration with Banaba or Davido or else you have a biggest hit. I give you O2 Arena to perform. O2 Arena any day, bro. Like if I have the biggest hit and performing at the O2 arena, that's a huge achievement. So I'll pick that over the songs of Banaba or Davido, trust. Because I mean like, again, respect to Banaba, respect to Davido but you know, feeling of the O2, I want to do what they've done as well. I want to achieve that feat as well. So if I have the chance to perform at the O2, bro, I'm taking it, man. My full chest. So once you perform O2, that will be the end for you. That will not be the end, clearly. You say now you'll achieve what you wanted to achieve. No, that will not be that. That will just be the starting point because like I told you, I do not dwell on just my talent. I'm a hard worker. So even if I get to that point, even when I get to that point, I am performing at the O2. I know there are bigger stadiums like you know, even performing at the Madison Square Garden, you know, just bigger stages and I just want to keep going. Yes, exactly. The Wembley. That's how I see it. The more you go higher, you just want to keep going higher. That's it. You wind up now. What is it that you want to tell maybe an upcoming artist who's watching you, admiring to be like you? I'll just say again, son, girl, do not rush. Okay, take your time. Don't be anxious. Do not overthink it. Okay, life will take you where you are meant to be. Just trust in yourself, trust in God and trust in the process and believe in what you have inside of you. And trust me, man, you will definitely get where you're supposed to go to. So yeah. Thank you so much for speaking to us. Thank you, my brother. Any additional something you want to add? Yeah, man. So hi, guys. This is Batman Q. I'm a singer, songwriter, fashion model. Please follow me on all social media platforms on Instagram, Twitter at I am Batman Q. Again, it's at I am Batman Q. One word. Blessings, love. Be easy. Okay. What's up, my people? This is your boy, Batman Q. And you're listening to SPM Buzz. Don't cut it. Don't touch it. Be easy. Okay. Don't touch it. Be on the side. Oh, shit.