Ian Gathogo, also known as Igee Afrika represents Nakuru town, and as a new wave of rappers is emerging from that part of the country, He should be among the young Turks that should be counted in.
Igee afrika cycle as an artist is coming to the next phase and that’s where we’ll fully get to capture his ideas as a rapper, his contribution to the community through art.
He has dropped his second project dubbed ‘Mambo bado’, Volume 2, and he is taking us through his new album.
Welcome to Rapknights, introduce yourself, who is Igee Afrika?
Igee Afrika is an artiste who uses words to paint pictures in his music.Igee Afrika is also a poet, a songwriter, and an actor too.
Why Igee Afrika as your artistic name, what’s the inspiration behind it?
IG is an abbreviation of my name “Ian Gathogo” but I saw this sound like an acronym for Instagram, so I decided my artist name to be IGEE meaning “I Get Elevating Every day”.
When did you start doing music, What made you feel like music was the way to go?
I fell in love with music at a young age and by 2009 I wrote my first rap verse. I have been writing music ever since, but I recorded my first track in 2018. The reception from my peers was astonishing and that’s when I decided no going back to this. I believe I was born to this, I had this feeling music is my calling.
How many collective projects do you have on your name so far?
I have more than 30 solo singles, I have a mixtape, and recently, I dropped my debut album now. I have also been featured by plenty of artists too.
Apart from music, what else do you do?
Besides music, I’m a Mechanical Engineering student, I’ll be doing my final exams this July.
How do you define the type of music that you create?
I define my music as timeless, realistic and conscious. I make music that will last in the next coming generations, In my music I share everything happening in the society. Not only that, but I write my music from the heart.
Lessons Learned since you started doing music?
Since I started doing music, I have learned to be unique, being different is the first step to standing out from others, I have learned to be consistent since nothing comes easily. I learned I should work hard and put in more effort. I also learned to be patient, since good things take time.
What are some of the shortcomings that you have encountered on your journey as an artiste?
Music is just like any other investment. It requires money. Also, building a fan base requires time. My shortcomings at times have been lack of funds to pay for its production and marketing.
You have a new project, Mambo Bado Vol 2, tell us about it briefly, Why Mambo Bado. What’s the inspiration behind it?
‘Mambo Bado’ has been a phrase my grandfather has been using to motivate me since I was young until date. When I decided to put together my mixtape and decided to name it Mambo bado and also reminded myself that I’m just getting started, and I have a long way to go. I wanted to make another mixtape, but had a lot of inspiration and made it an album. I decided to make this my Blueprint, just like Jay-Z or maybe Lil Wayne’s on the Carter. And now Mambo bado 2 is here.
How many tracks are on the album, any features?
I have 17 tracks in the album with 6 features along dope artists including Big Rech,GodlyTysono(South Africa),Mesh Mulla Mastermind and Singvia.
Explain Mambo Bado 2 in 3 words.
MAMBO BADO vol 2 “is a masterpiece”
Where can the new audience who want to support you access the album?
My album is available on every music streaming platforms.
Your favorite track off the album?
Too much, survival and INY are my favorite records.
https://audiomack.com/igee-afrika/song/survival
Your take on the current state of Kenyan hip-hop?
The current Kenyan hip-hop is in the safe hands since we have plenty of talented and great artists coming up. Kenyan hip-hop got a bright future, it’s still growing.
Word to your fans?
I appreciate my fans for being supportive all along in my music journey and to keep on with the same spirit. We have a long way to go and more to come.
