The Flashback Series: Molo Meets Qty. She Talks Life and Music: Kenrazy, Victoria Kimani and Elani
The late 90’s and early 2000’s were a booming year in Kenya music.
The eras of – No Facebook. No Twitter. No Instagram.
These eras, saw the booming of local Kenyan music genres such as Kapuka and Genge.
Do you wonder where your favorite Kenyan artistes from that time went to?
Want to find out what became happened to the artistes that once kept as dancing all that time ago?
What are they doing now?
Do they still sing?
What inspired their music?
Join Molo as he takes you on a journey behind your favorite artiste’s musical journey.
Find out what it took for them to make it.
Find out the inspiration behind their biggest songs.
Find out what they think of the industry today.
And also get to know the behind the scenes events that took place in their lives.
The Flashback Series takes you back … way back to Kenyan music basics.
Artist: QTY
Real Name: Jennifer Lusichi
Hit Songs: Get Closer, Zunguka, Get Closer (Remix) Feat Kenrazy
Years Active:Early 2000’s – Now
No. of Children: 1
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QTY has been mesmerizing us since the early 2000’s when she burst on the scene flaunting an awesome voice that demanded the attention of Kenyans all over the country. Known to close family and friends as Jennifer Lusichi, she grew from a superstar in her town of Nakuru to take on the main stage of the Kenyan musical landscape.
The journey has been an interesting experience for both participant and spectator. To have been in the industry for all this time, there must have been a lot of lessons learned and of course a lot of battles won. Cute, just like her name QTY suggests, is just one way of describing QTY. Beautiful, sharp, and brilliant are some other words we can definitely use to define her.
What has the journey been like?
QTY has a story to tell, these are her words.
Molo: You gained fame in the early 2000’s in your town of Nakuru, what was the music scene like there?
QTY: Nakuru is a small town full of talented people and only the strong survive. At that time there were no good studios, so I had to travel to Nairobi
Molo: You recorded a song with Ogopa Deejays called ‘Get Closer’, what inspired that song?
QTY: It’s all about love, but most of all about ladies who play hard to get, they say no but when you try harder they may just give in
Molo: Who are some of the artistes and producers that supported you when you first started?
QTY: In Nairobi Maich Blaq really supported me, Cedo was in Eldoret and Kenrazy. In Nakuru we had boom and fayaban who really supported all artists in Nakuru at that time. Those are the people who are my music foundation.
Molo: Which of your songs do you love performing at shows?
QTY: ‘Zunguka’ and ‘Paparazi’, but recently I love performing ‘DNA’, ‘Crazy’, ‘Nataka’ and now my new song ‘Nieleze’ with Lady Nanaa
Molo: Any lessons you havehad to learn as a singer?
QTY: Every day as an artist I learn new things, most of all focus and being unique will always differentiate you from others. The ability to be versatile works;being to be able to sing, rap, do rock and do riddims.
Molo: What are the happiest moments you have had?
QTY: Being at the studio, making music and performing.
Molo: What are some of the things ladies should know before joining the industry?
QTY:It takes a tough gal to make it in this industry without favours. A strong woman is put down and she dusts herself up and tries again. A mistake is not a mistake if repeated twice. A woman needs focus to make it.
Molo: You are not just a singer, but you also started the QTY Foundation that focuses on HIV & AIDS and awareness, what’s your experience like being involved with that?
QTY: A learning experience and a humble one. I never knew much about HIV and AIDS but everything in life has a purpose. Being an HIVambassador was not for showbiz but what I had to do to keep my sister’s memory alive and to give back to the community
Molo: Who are your Top 5 female artistes at the moment?
QTY: Lady Nanaa, Sosuun, Victoria Kimani, Vanessa Mdee,Wambui Ngugi and Maureen Kungafrom Elani,
Molo: What latest projects have you worked on?
QTY: My song ‘Nieleze’ with Lady Nana is just came out https://youtu.be/XIrKGETv6vA
Molo: How have you re-invented yourself and your music over the years?What is fresh about your style now?
QTY:I am versatile and Ichallenge myself and take charge of any track. I flow with change.
Molo:What is your favorite quote?
QTY: Life is too short
Molo: Who inspires you?
QTY: My mum always did, but my son brought another indescribable energy
Final Comments: I can’t trade anything for what I am and whom I am in the music industry. Most of all I am an activist and I am really looking forward to working with artists with the same vision to change our music industry positively.
5 Things You Never Knew About QTY
I am a good cook.
I am an honest friend
I love unconditionally
I stand by the truth
I do laundry and all household chores, so that everything is perfect
Contacts
Facebook:
Qty
Qty cumpus clicue
Qty foundation
Qty jenifer
YouTube Channel:Qtymusic
Twitter: @qtymusic and @hottyglow
Instagram:qtymusic
