Time Warner Records signs US based Kenyan rapper now set to light up the world

Although Kenya has produced some successful artistes, none of them have managed to penetrate the US and European markets like A-list performers such as Akon, Sean Paul and even Baaba Maal have done. However, 2010 looks promising, as one of our very own has just clinched a deal that is sure to propel him to the top in the US.

Kenyan artiste Attitude, who is based in America, has made a record signing with Time Warner Records – one of the three biggest record labels in the world. The others are Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group. The signing fee was the equivalent of Sh10 million while the whole package could be worth Sh30 million for the rapper when the album is released later this year. This is the biggest record deal for any artiste from East Africa at the moment or in the recent past.

“It’s a great opportunity and I thank a producer called Tru Cabrazzi who listened to my songs and performance and introduced me to Time Warner,” says Attitude, 28, whose real name is Malimo Chahonyo Andega. But it is not just the amount of money involved but also the calibre of artistes that he will be working with. Among those on the label are Senegalese superstar Akon, Drummer Boy, Jeezy, DJ Tromp and TI. These are a some of the biggest names in the world of hip-hop.

To give his Kenyan fans a feel of what to expect, Attitude will next week launch a song on which he has collaborated with Akon. The song is called “Don’t ever forget me” and he plans to launch it on a live show on Homeboyz Radio.

“It has taken a lot to convince the record label to let me do that while I am here but I want Kenyans to be the first to get a feel of what is to come,” he told Review. Attitude was born and raised in the US. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, singer Mercy Myra, and child but comes home twice a year.

Prior to signing with Time Warner Records, he recorded songs like “Snitch”, “93 till infinity”, “Datz Wazuup” and “200 till…” All the songs have had positive reviews on You Tube.

Inspiring

Attitude says working with the great names in his profession is “very inspiring” and “a great experience”. “Never mind what you read about the biggest artistes like Akon, they work extremely hard and take music very seriously.

Akon, in particular, is very very inspiring,” says the Kenyan rapper. In the short time that he has been with the record label, Attitude has been on tour with Kanye West, Rihanna and Black Eyed Peas and there is more planned before the release of his album.

“The international market is very competitive and if Kenyan artistes are going to break into it, someone has to pave the way. I believe that I will be that person,” he says. Having lived abroad and shared the stage with stars, Attitude believes that most of the music that is popular in Kenya lacks international appeal.

In his opinion, it is people like Eric Wainaina, Nyota Ndogo and Suzzana Owiyo who can make it on the international market because they sing world music. Bamboo, Chiwawa and Abbas can also make it abroad because they are hip-hop artiste – a genre that is popular all over the world.

Attitude says that his other mission is to help fellow Kenyan performers to access the same opportunities that will come with his new contacts. Already, he is working with musicians from Kenya’s Phoenix Records in Nairobi with a view of recording collaborations that he would then share with his label in the US. Among the artistes at Phoenix Records are Double O (Melvin Owuor) and Sugar (Judy Ogake Ondieki).

“Attitude is definitely leading the way for Kenyan musicians and his willingness to mentor and collaborate with our artistes says a lot about the dream that he has for Kenyan music,” says Brian Okemo of Phoenix Records. No doubt, Kenyans will be waiting for the release of Attitude’s album.

kbanda@nation.co.ke