Fena (@Fena_menal) is a musician, producer, songwriter, performer, founder and CEO of Fenamenal Entertainment. She co-produced her first album, Fenamenon, with Jaaz Odongo and is currently working on a project with iLogos music. She writes all her songs and has written for Sauti Sol, Miss Karun and Dela. She has performed on major stages like Coke Studio Africa, Koroga Festival and her own show Fena Unplugged.

1. Did you always know you wanted to be a musician? How did you get into music?

Yes, I’ve grown up surrounded by music, with my mom, sister and extended family members as musicians and have been performing all my life. I started performing professionally while in campus at USIU in 2008, and have been performing and recording ever since.

2. What is your creative process like?

I go with the flow. Sometimes I’m creating from my mood that day, a personal experience, or just creating stories to tell. I play songs incessantly on repeat sometimes before I understand the concept of it, and sometimes I walk into the studio and have everything on my finger tips.

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

A lot, as I said, I write from personal experiences. I’m an artist first before I am an entertainer, therefore my life revolves purely around music.

4. How would you describe your music?

I call it urban soul, a fusion of different genres I have grown up enjoying and influencing my lifestyle.

5. Who are your favourite musicians and why?

They are too many to list. I will however, point out Missy Elliot as one of my earliest musical influences.

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?

We have come a long way and still have quite the distance to go. However, we’ve seen a great improvement in the calibre of artistry, and in return more support from the Kenyan fans and media fraternity. This is my 8th year in the industry, so you can imagine how uphill a task it has been to get recognized almost a decade into my career. However, staying consistent and diligent to the craft is how we will continue to move this industry forward.

7. Your career has been growing steadily especially in the last year, has this changed your life in anyway?

Yes, it has. It’s been a great year. A lot has changed in my personal and public life. I’m more confident of where I want to be in my career, my moves are more deliberate and calculated, and I’m excited for 2018! As an individual, I have been working on my mind, body and soul, to be a stronger person in the midst of all the craziness.

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

All of them! I’m proud of every project I have touched, right from my first album Fenamenon all through to my latest single Run Ting with King Kaka.

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

Nothing they haven’t heard before. You have to put in the work, you have to love what you do, and most importantly you have to be great at what you do. Passion, hard work and skill.

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Going global. I will be working with and performing on stages across the world, nominations and awards, building my Fenamenal Entertainment business empire.

Bonus Question

11. If you could collaborate with any musician in the world, who would it be and why?

Wizkid, because I have followed his career to the letter right from his first single. I admire how much he loves his work, and how effortlessly he does it!

Check out Fena’s music and profile below.

Facebook: Fena Music

Twitter: @Fena_menal

Instagram: @Fena_menal

YouTube: Fena Gitu

mwendeLifestyleFena Gitu,Fenamenal,Fenamenon,Jaaz Odongo,King Kaka,Koroga Festival,Run Ting
Fena (@Fena_menal) is a musician, producer, songwriter, performer, founder and CEO of Fenamenal Entertainment. She co-produced her first album, Fenamenon, with Jaaz Odongo and is currently working on a project with iLogos music. She writes all her songs and has written for Sauti Sol, Miss Karun and Dela. She...