Creative of the Week: WeN_Music

WeN_Music (@WeN_Music) aka “We Exist Now” Music is a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist (guitarist). She started singing (out of the bathroom) back in 2014 with a musical band called Jazzy-Jam in Eldoret Town, Kenya, then decided to go to studio later that year for the first time and recorded her first debut single “Don’t wanna be” that got her acclaimed recognition in the Kenyan Music scene, placing her as the best ‘Beat of the week’ on National TV and she has since been hooked.

1. Did you always know you wanted to be a musician?

Not until five years ago. I always knew I could sing from my high school days and that was about it. Then in my second year of campus someone very dear would hear me singing in the bathroom and they encouraged me to pick it up as a thing. I did and have been loving it since.

2. What is your creative process like?

I don’t have one actually. I will just walk into studio, listen to a beat and if it clicks with me, I start writing. I don’t prepare in advance for what I will do while at the studio. I just allow it come to me.

3. How much do your life experiences influence your work?

I will say my life plays a big part in my work and not just me as a person but what I see those around me live and experience. I write about what I find out about life in general and all those things that have culminated to us being who we are and where we are now, but mostly from a positive angle.

4. How would you describe your music?

Two words-  Black awakening.

My inspiration is us and for us as a people all over the face of the earth.

5. Who are your favourite musicians and why?

This list is too big! I would say definitely Asa from Nigeria, Nasio Fontaine, Lianne La Havas, Jah 9, Chronixx, Beyonce off course, Etta James and Black Omolo.

They all have different aspects they add to my style and ways they influence me as an artist. I mostly love their lyrical content and how they bring their work to life.

6. What are your thoughts on music in Kenya, what challenges have you faced as a musician and how do you think we can improve on the craft?

Music in Kenya is taking some big strides right now; I have met really amazing artists over my time in the industry that will blow this thing and minds away. There is so much talent and it’s time to take over and take things to greater heights. And it’s not just in music alone, but the whole creative art scene from poetry, spoken word, dance, photography and acting. Yout man on top of their game now. Hakuna kulala tena.

The returns on what we do is the biggest challenge. The investment that we put in our work from studio time, to doing videos, to packaging and all is quite a lot given the returns we get back. That’s why many of us are starving artistes.  This is because art in Kenya is still not taken seriously and then there is the big fish group eating from the small fish artiste’s sweat and hard work. Artistes such as Willy Paul, Elani, Pitson have raised this same issue.

The craft is good but we just need to have laws and regulations governing the artiste’s welfare and protection, then we can move forward. I mean East Africa is the cradle of man. We’re pioneers in the human race so what kind of talent pool is in our DNA? We gave the world its talents you know. This could be bigger than Hollywood with the right instruments in place.

7. What work/project are you most proud of?

This is yet for release in the upcoming days. My debut Neo-Reggae album, I can’t wait to share this.  I could scream!

8. What advice would you give an aspiring musician that you wish you had gotten when you were starting out?

Be in tune with yourself, the universe will align you to people you need and don’t change your sound or feel or style to fit the market, there’s someone out there who’s waiting with all their heart for that piece of you. For me music is from one heart to another. I don’t do it for the follows; the fans don’t always stay too long by your side. But I love them all.

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I’m going to have you wait and see me there, but we can all go together if you want.

My album is coming out hopefully before the end of the third quarter of the year along with many videos as well.

Bonus Question

10. If you could collaborate with any musician in the world, where would you choose and why?

Jah 9, in Jamaica and hopefully Tuff Gong studios, make some world class classics. Jah 9 if you happen to read this kindly link me forward sistren.

Check out WeN_Music’s work and profile below.

Sound Cloud: WenMusic254

Youtube: WeN_Music Official

Twitter: @WeN_Music

Instagram: @WeN_Music Official