 Our first guest is in the studio. He's a very big big big fan of the eSercute We've been playing his music for the longest time. So now we are putting gross kwa lakama Ayamana. He goes by the name Athlan Izi. He will tell us more about himself and his music Why he loves us so much. Thank you very much. How are you? Finally i am finally here. buns framed But I grew up in Mombasa and Nakuru and also Nandi County. So those are the places I treasure so much in my life. So yeah, I'm an artist, songwriter, singer. Mziiki tu liyanza ki Tambo Sanha, tu liyanza tukiyo primary. Kingi ya kwaia. I think kamu jengi ya kwaia, jengi ya mziiki. Kingi ya kwaia, tukiyanza nasaprano, ukosa uti. Then high school did the same, you know. And then afterwards nikatoka and decided to do it professionally. That is after Masou Mosasa. I went first completed my studies to ensure that I completed my studies. And then now I started recording my music because niliyona akuna jani kwenandi kanyimo since primary nazi kuwe tu bado. Ziko tu kwa vitabu. So I said, well, if people have been encouraged me to do this all the time. Let me go and do it. What is stopping me? I know. I am solely saying that after your studies. So what did you study? Well, I studied environmental planning and management. I am passionate environmentalist. Yes, and that is what I do in my free time. Also in your free time you plant trees. But how is your music? I can say all the hustles because I can't really specify because I am also working as an environmentalist. I also work as an environmentalist. So music is also a passion that I decided to carry. It's been there in our family. You know, my grandfather, Nikianda Shags, Nandi. I used to get these to drums and easy vituzores. So I got interested like, you know, what is grandpa doing? Aki wa wuku wa kifanya na easy aki chaza chaza utu tu vitu all the time. My dad also, he really played a big impact in my music career. First, he used to wake us up with one specific song. Kuchwa. Amkaku me kucha. You know that song? Yes. Atawewe ma nangu, amkaku me kucha. He just plays it on the radio? No, he used to sing to us to wake up in the morning to go to school. That's interesting. So I think, I think with that, I think from the love of my dad and his love for music, he had to party aiyo since Ayang age. But unfortunately passed back in 1999. So he played a big impact in my life because from him is where new melodies and such stuff. I used to see him dancing with my mum in the sitting room. And that made me see that music can bring people together and connect. There is love in music. So I felt so nice and I think that's why I took up music. Just seeing how it's being carried in our family too. We are excited. Well, our family is not recorded yet. But we take it professionally. We take it professionally and just it to some degree. So that our generations kikuja, they see aya kumbe, dadia li kwanafanya, ama gukani kiyo gukali kwanafia. We take it professionally and just it to some degree. Then that means most probably your children or to toawa, there is someone who will have that. You will have talent and carry it on. So exactly where I decided to record is so that these kids, my kids, if I'm not there, we can have evidence of what I'm doing in life, you know. And they can get encouragement from there and say, Hey, okay. So dad used to, if he has done it, I think I can do it. Okay. So how has the journey been since you started recording professionally? What have been your highs and lows in that time? Well, my highs and lows, I started recording, I decided to start recording in 2018. But I recorded my first track in 2019. Okay. That was Friday Feeling. It's called Friday Feeling. Yeah. And in 2020, that's where let me say my breakthrough came in because I also got sponsored who saw something in me. And by the Eshara to Maxland Hotel, they are the ones who sponsored me to do my music and record my music. So the highs and lows, the highs I can say is when, you know, when people come and support your talent, it gives you so much encouragement to even continue. Yes, exactly. Like for instance, this invite here, it has given me more encouragement to even go and produce other songs, you see. So when you see people supporting your talent, I think that's the most high point you can get in your career. I don't see what you assume a pattern in me from what is when you see people believing in what you're doing. And enjoying the music. Yes, because there are people who don't believe in you. But if you find those few who do, you really appreciate, you see. What about the lows? The lows, yeah, the challenges have been there. You know, in the music industry, there is so much, especially when you want to record, you have to come fully prepared knowing that you're going to also spend, like for instance, myself, if I have to produce something, I have to produce something quality. I'm getting into an industry that is so competitive, you see. So, I changa-changa something kidogo, so that I can get the money to pay the producers, to pay the director for the video. And that has been one challenge because finances to every musician, every musician can attest that it's a problem. Yes, especially I think when you're starting out. When you're starting out. When you're ushafika, then maybe there are avenues of getting money that can at least support that. Yes, you see even with my own support, I still had to get sponsors. You see, arakani li kuwana some little bit, there are people who still came in to push my talent. So, you need to talk to people, see how you can work with them, grow their brands, like for instance, myself and Max Landetel, we came up with a really good deal how we can grow our brands together in music and everything, how we can market the hotel through my music also and the kind of music I'm doing also was so key to them. Always the end I'm doing ambitions alafun na patiangoma una anangalivi anasemawel this cannot be used to promote my, you have to work together with this. You have to bring your game as well, see what you may expect, mtu na kujokufanya all the work. I have noticed that in your songs, several of them, you carry an African theme to them, and even in your dressing. Are you doing that on a purpose? Yes, I'm doing that for a purpose. Why? Everybody has ambitions and what you want to achieve in life. For instance, I myself, I stand for four things, that is music, ofans, leadership and environment. So you see, I'm not only a musician, I'm more than that. Music is just a part of me that I wanted to play out well in my life, together with these other things that I'm doing in life. Like for instance, let me just elaborate. This is called the mall concept, the mall concept of life. This is called the chemistry. Oh, don't take me back. I don't want to go back there. It's haunting me. So I'm the mall concept, I'm Mrs. Gitongani. Uliacha Shule. So I'm the mall concept, this is my life. I picked it from there. So I decided to have initials for all this, that is music, ofans, leadership and environment. Because it's my life, I should be interlinked. Like for instance, music, I'm doing music with ofans, I'm doing ofan initiatives by mentoring them, because personally I am. I know the challenges that ofans go through. So I do mentor ofans, and I have an ambition of having a record label that will sponsor ofans who want to get into music. You see, and at least support their livelihoods. With their talents. That is one ambition I have in this country. Leadership. I mean, we are kwa, we are Sankidogo. Even in campus, I've been in leadership, so I was a kubai and start being a student leader. And I want to carry it out even in the public kuku in Kenya. So to not aspire for accuts. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Which particular one are you interested in? Just Tuambietu. So, I have an ambition of becoming the governor of Morang account. Okay. Yeah. So that's it. I want to, if you go in the same world, if you declare it, you possess it. Okay, yeah, yeah. I think you declare it, you possess it. Yes, if you say it, you're going to achieve it. Of course. Yes, and there are no limitations. No one promises we acquire anything in this life. Yeah. So, I have that ambition and I will make sure I achieve it in life. Mm-hmm. So 2022, we expect that. Okay. To Shanzha. Shanzha, but. All right. So all these things you will live your life by the Mool concept. Yes, and then environment, environment, which is so important. Mm-hmm. This color green is in our flag. Yeah. I really do environmental studies on environmental planning and management because nilgwanda ka job is being patriotic of my country. Mm-hmm. Ii na represent what ikalaitu ya green. Environment, green. It's called, Ii na represent environment. Every kala ina, ina siminini ya ke. Black is for the people, sindio. Red ni damu, sindio. Green ni environment. And white is peace. Mm-hmm. So I'm living by a flag being patriotic to a flag. Yes. So if you see me saying I'm an environmentalist. Mm-hmm. I'm doing this because I love my country and I want to make sure our country achieves that 10% forest cover and it's recommended by UN. Okay. Yes. And that is why you have an initiative as well when it comes to your music that is related to the environment. Yes. Tell us about that. Well, my initiative, my environmental initiative with my music, I'm planting a tree for every 1,000 views I'm getting. It's a lifetime initiative for every song mm-hmm. that I've recorded the kwefredi feeling, kirei to African style. Mm-hmm. For every 1,000 views in my lifetime. Mm-hmm. Any other song I'm going to produce. Yeah. I'm going to plant a tree just to appreciate those fans who have watched my song. Sure. So if you watch my song you pretty sure you are making me achieve also something else on this side. Yeah, something bigger. Something bigger. You see. You are 10% for discovery in the country. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Okay, that's nice. So I just want us to talk about the most recent project you have done. Okay. African style, right? Yeah. So tell us a bit about that. African style. So this song was inspired by my dad. Mm-hmm. I wanted to produce something that my dad can, you know, can dance along when I'm thinking of him. Yeah. You can picture him enjoy life. Yeah. I'm enjoying himself with a kabiya there enjoying life, you know, and Akijibamba too. It's true. You know, I pictured of him and Nandiomanani producing such a style here in a sound so African. Yeah. Because he loved that African touch in the music. Alikwala penda kayamba Africa. Mm-hmm. You know, kayamba Africa. Yeah. So alikwala penda kayamba Africa. So I felt I should make it more bring it in the Ruto easy. You know, mm-hmm. from western Kenya and the Luo community use it a lot. Mm-hmm. So I brought it and it can be a producer, my producer, who was Razzil at that time, shout out Razzil. Mm-hmm. So we produced that in an African sense when it came to the video, I was encouraged you should look African. Yes. No, no. Of course, easy to African style and then you're dressing in. No. And that's why with this with this anini, African style then you process anini in Zakenia. If it is African and I end up out to Africa, I felt like I should represent my country where I come from. Okay. You see, that's when in Zakenia. So maybe maybe they know exactly where it's coming from. Yeah, where it's coming from. So it's not just selling Iceland easy. It's just selling our country as well. Yes, yes. That's nice. It's the same as you do here in our country which is awesome. Yes. 100% Kenya. 100%. That's how we do it. Yeah. So where can people find your music? People can find my music through my channel which is Iceland easy ASLAN E-Z-Y and a subscriber but tonight is a subscription fund. Yeah. You know and also follow me on social media. It's the same name so when you follow me at least you will get to know my progress and everything and what what I wanna be there and the layer is an artist. Okay. So thank you so much for coming through. Is there anything you want to say before you wind up? Yeah, of course. Of course. First, I'd like to say thank you to you guys. Nime kufa and kubu asana is so cute. I think you guys you see me all the time. Yes. Thank you so much for that. Yes. So thank you for inviting me for your circuit. This is my first interview and I feel so honored being here today. Yeah. Thank you very much. And I'm hoping it will be mingizakukuja Yeah. And also thank you for joining me for this interview and I feel so honored being here today. Yeah. Thank you very much. And I'm hoping it will be mingizakukuja Yeah. And also thank you for coming Yeah. And also I would like to encourage any artist out there who is starting don't lose hope. There is so much for you out here. There are people willing to come and help your career. So come away when you come here and I ask you to come and tell me that I record I record Kwasimu. That is the way to go. Even you start to see Lianza. Before that is the sponsors before we got people coming in and to say diya kwa ii career to ya. Yeah. You have to do something by yourself. You have to do something and show effort. No. So keep doing that as an artist. Now someday I will to invite you up. Yes. Yes. So I would I would say that to every artist and encourage every artist out there. Okay. Thank you so much for coming through. Thank you for encouraging those artists out there. Yes. For every a thousand likes he plants a tree not just now but his whole lifetime. So go support his music go check it out like, share, subscribe but in the meantime let's get wachatum juenangoma zake. Let's get to hear his vibe. African style by Aslan Ezi. Up next.