In a series of social media posts, veteran Genge musician Juacali has documented his journey in the Kenyan music industry, celebrating the recognition of Genge as an African genre of music in the Grammys.
The musician who has been recognized for hit songs like Kwaheri and Karibu Nairobi earlier wrote about how Bruce Odhiambo encouraged him to keep refining his art when he was at his first radio interview at a time when he almost gave up on the music industry.
He said that at his first radio interview with present Bernard Otieno, a listener had called into the show criticizing their music and Bruce Odhiambo was the one who encouraged them to keep creating more music. The musician encouraged artists to keep following their dreams as he didn’t know that genge music would be recognized worldwide.
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In another post dated June 19, the veteran Kenyan musician narrated how he had failed to get a brand partnership with Trust saying that it could have been because he did not own a car at the time.
So interview ilikua pale The Chancery Valley road, mimi huyo nikapanda mathree teke teke mpaka tao then nikatembea kutoka tao mpaka Chancery si mbali. Nikafika poa nikakaribishwa fresh nikapewa chai introduction mbili tatu meeting ikaanza. Meeting ilikua ya mtu tatu mimi na madam flani wawili. So the 1st question niliulizwa ni ‘What car do you drive?’ I swear to God Iam not lying, Yo!! Hio swali ilinipata offguard coz in my head I was like hii swali ikona connection gani na hii campaign? Ama hawa wasee waliniona kwa dirisha nikitembea wanajaribu kunipima? But anyway nilikua truthful nikajibu ‘I dont own a car actually I came here using a matatu’ so nikaulizwa swali zengine related na music but siezi ata zikumbuka. After the interview was done nikaambia ‘dont call us we are going to get in touch if you have made the cut’ meeting ikaisha hivyo mimi huyo mguu mpaka tao mathree.
Part of the statement by Juacali
He said that the incident did not deter him from creating good music as he went on to become the brand ambassador for Motorola and founded Calif Records alongside radio presenter Clemmo. Calif Records went on to nurture more talents in the Kenyan music industry including Mejja, Sanaipei Tande, Pilipili, and Nonini among others.
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Juacali has encouraged fans online not to give up on their dreams telling them that he was happy that what he worked for for so long is finally paying off. The Grammys officially announced three new categories in their awards last week, listing Genge as one of them and they are expected to be awarded in the Grammy Awards next year.
