Ever Wondered Where Labalaa Vanished To? He Was in Rehab For Drug Addiction
Drugs and substance use pose a great risk to artists because eventually, drugs will completely destroy all the creativity a person has and reference is made to Ray C’s case. Back home, hip-hop duo, Wakamba Wawili’s Labalaa is one of the artists who has openly spoken about his drug addiction problem.
Wakamba Wawili (Labalaa and Agano) is known for dropping hard-hitting hiphop tracks that have always had a way of resoating among the youth and the entire hiphop community, commanding respect through lyrics and sick flow. However, the group has been missing out in the music scenes. Reason? One of the duo, Labalaa has been in rehab for drug dependence.
Recently, Labalaa spoke to Rap Nairobi where he described his life as a drug addict explaining the stresses and failures he’s encountered as he tries to get back on his feet. Here’s the excerpt of that;
RN: Where have you been all this while, it’s been a minute?
Labalaa: Was in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction… A small rehab centre in Kitui.
RN: How was it like being in one of those rehab centers, did you receive love from fellow artists?
Labalaa: It was kind of personal so some Ukoo Flani and Mau Mau counterparts did come through… Family was there for me. At 1st it was kind of crazy because I didn’t get to use any drug but now am clean for a year.
RN: Now that you’re back, what are the plans for Wakamba Wawili?
Labalaa: I was with Agano last week and we talked about doing another album. I also had a meeting with team hiphop halisi – TV programme we talked of doing a rerun of the show come September.
RN: Other than your music, what have you been up to?
Labalaa: I own a company ‘ACHA MINI SHYNE’ platform. Where Talent is nurtured and the voice of upcoming artists heard. It’s more of helping them grasp the knowledge of investment and keep them on toes .I wouldn’t want see either of them become an addict like I was and at least know where they are from. Aside from that I have hip-hop academy at Imara Daima, Embakasi.
RN: How do you look for them?
Labalaa: Ok I don’t look for them manually, am still Labalaa Mzee Mzima Mwenyewe… hehehe.What they do is send links to my Facebook accounts (Labalaa Ni Mimi) and (Labalaa Ukoo Flani Mau Mau) , I get to sample , contact the few and start working with them.
RN: What should your fans expect from you?
Labalaa: Hehehe, First they should know Mzee Mzima is back, this time they should expect audios and videos one after another, ‘hakuna kulala’. Call it MuziQ yA SouL a.k.a FeelgudmuziQ. I am working on a track ‘Champion muziQ’ with Mc Mwakenya which is set to drop this weekend. The track is produced by o-mae from bassly music makers who did the yuko juu ft. Wendy. There is another New track yuko juu remix ft. Acline, Nonini, Wendy, Qadah, Prudence-tpf4, Mae, Roso and Calvo mistari dropping soon and few upcoming rappers Marefaz will make an appearace on my coming projects.
Labalaa has also done a video too “hii kaz’ off his untitled album which talks of his story. Check it out;
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