The Kenyan music scene is unpredictable, one minute you can be on top of your game and the next minute no one is willing to give you the time of day.
Back in the day, music in Kenya wasn’t even considered a serious career, you tell your parents you want to become a singer or a rapper and they’d slap you silly. Basically going into music was like putting all your eggs in a basket and going for a 10km marathon with them, it was risky business.
And perhaps that is why most of the veterans that came up in the industry in the 90s had to have side-hustles away from their music careers. Side-hustles which to most people right now are enough to be considered serious well paying careers.
This just goes to prove that in Kenya just like in Hollywood, with the right mind-set, once you are a famous celebrity you will always find yourself in a situation where you are making serious money even after your celeb career is over.
1.Collo (Kleptomaniax)
He once comprised one third of one of Kenya’s most successful rap-groups, the Kleptomaniax until they broke off to pursue their own solo careers.
Collo now works as a creative at one of Kenya’s biggest and most lucrative advertising firms SCAN Group. So really you know he’s racking in some serious cash from that job alone.
2. The Tattuu Trio
Ever wondered where the Tattuu trio ended up? Though in recent times there has been talk of a Tattuu comeback, after the lead singer Angela Ndambuki announced that they were back together working on their first album, the group once again went quiet and we are yet to see anything new from them.
Angela Ndambuki
Meanwhile Angela the group’s lead singer works for Performers Rights Society of Kenya (Prisk) which hands out royalties to its member s who comprise of singers, actors and generally anyone in the performing arts business.
Debbie Asila
Debbi also seats as a very influential member in the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) and presumably earns a lot from that job.
Angela Mwandanda
On the other hand Angela Mwandanda works as the PR Manager for Hellofood and Easy Taxi, two startups with some very rich parent companies.
3. Nameless
Mr. David Mathenge is an Architect by day and on that note, enough said.
4. Wahu
Mrs. Mathenge on the other hand owns her own companies, Alternative Concepts and Afro Siri (which is a popular salon).
As a side note, Wahu also has a Bachelors Degree of Science, Mathematics and a Masters Degree in Communication.
Together with her husband one would say they are Kenya’s power couple and can only be compared to Jay Z and Beyonce.
5. Kunguru
Eric Onguru a.k.a. Kunguru is the Regional Manager at Standard Chartered Bank, so you just know he’s living that sweet life.
6. Octopizzo
Aside from his lucrative music career, Octopizzo also works with UNEP as a Youth Ambassador and has also done several projects with the British Council.
7. Juliani
Juliani has worked with several corporates including Orange Kenya and currently the National Bank of Kenya.
8. Amani
Bank in the day when she was on constant rotation on the airwaves, Amani got a gig as an Airtel Ambassador and also because of this job she got to work with R Kelly alongside other African artists.
9. Sanaipei Tande, Nonini & DNG
These three all currently works as Radio Presenters for the most popular radio stations in Nairobi. Sanaipei once worked as a presenter for Kiss 100 before moving to Nation FM. Meanwhile Nonini and DNG work for Hot 96 and One FM respectively.
So what am I getting at here? Well as you can see from the several examples I’ve just provided, it can be easy to stay on top once you’ve gotten there.
Sometimes money just seems to follow you around if you are as talented as Juliani or Octopizzo.
You can also be like these guys thanks to for the Star Africa Sounds 2015 Music Contest brought to you by Orange.
The Star Africa Sounds is the largest pan-African music contest bringing contestant from all over Africa for a chance to compete for an opportunity to make great music under some of the most successful record labels in Africa and make a lot of money when it is distributed all over Africa.
So Log ontohttp://en.starafrica.com/music/registrationand get registered today!