U APRIL 2020
ISSUE 001
USANII MAGAZINE ISSUE No.1 APRIL 2020
CHEMUTAI
SAGE
THE QUEEN’S EDITION
USANII
CONTENTS
what’s in store.............. 02 editors note 04 through the lense 07 main feature
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04
04
07
GUEST COLUMNIST 10 SPOTLIGHT 11
Usanii magazine is a publication of Infinity Ingenio. To be featured on Usanii magazine as an artist, poet, photographer,fashion designer or even as a guest columnist reach us throughTel ; +254-712688201 Instagram ; @usaniimag Facebook ; Nairobi Usanii Arts E-mail ; usanimagazine@gmail.com https://usanimagazine.wixsite.com/infinityingenio
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EDITOR’S NOTE
EDITOR’S NOTE...
Hello there, I
remember picking up my first magazine in a Salon as I waited for the Hairdresser to finish up with a customer. I had just arrived for my weekly hair makeover. There wasn’t much to do, because unlike current times, Smartphones were still a thing of the future. So there I was, sited in the Salon, looking around trying to identify what was different, new, or moved.
A magazine that is paying attention and listing the milestones artists are conquering. Yes, there are magazines that feature popular male and female artists,businesses and events that have become household names; however, very rarely have I come across one that seeks the attention of those artists, businesses, talents, and events, yet to get the viewer, consumer and exposure coverage they seek. A magazine that promotes and allows collaboration of artists from photography,performance arts and fashion fields, while gathering their real life stories and experiences.
For the past few months, I had bypassed the many books on the table because they never seemed interesting enough; however, on this not-so-active Saturday Afternoon, anything could have caught my attention. That is when I saw it, ‘Parents.’ I picked it up and quickly flipped through the many pages. I was not keen to read the stories but the pictures did peak my interest. From then on, my salon visits always incorporated a magazine browse. Within a few months, it became a magazine read and within a year, I was a magazine hunter. However, in all my time flipping through magazine pages, I always felt as though there was something missing. Being a lover of music, I always found myself looking for articles written about popular artists. There was always a pull to find out more about their life outside of the limelight. For me, reading about their day to day life, how they handled different situations and the occasional business or Industry advice was the way in which I connected with them. Hence, looking for Magazines that featured local artists was of key interest. Sadly, there were very few options available at the time. Fast forward to today and I am so excited to have the privilege of introducing “Usanii”. My first interaction with the concept of the Magazine had me giddy for days.I have been and continue being thrilled about Usanii and the gap it fills in the industry. In all my hunt, never have I come across a magazine that features local Artists and Talents and allows them to collaborate in it’s production. Long have I waited for a Magazine that features Local Artists who are striving and fighting to be at the top of their game.
With the influx of platforms, information and artists all across the world, it has become that much harder to gain popularity in a world where trends are quickly changing like cloud cover, that much harder to identify true talent amongst the multitude, and that much harder to achieve what others in past years have. However, Usanii seeks to shine a light on such talent, and their life outside fame. It seeks to ensure readers are aware of new talent. Moreover, the magazine seeks to cover events featuring talent that is yet to be discovered and broadcasted all over Kenya. Yes, I am excited and I am sure you are too as you look at what is awaiting you inside the covers of this First Edition of Usanii. Dive into the world of Vocal powerhouse Sage Chemutai and learn more her truimphant return to music as well as her take on the importance offamily and a supprt structure in life, get lost in the journey of a food photographer and her quest to make food look and feel, yes feel, scrumptious, in our through the lense section.Meet the young violinist looking to conqure the world with her voce and her instrument. Our vision is to see a more more Kenyan artists celebrated for their hard work and growth. As we start on this journey we hope you will buckle up and join us. We have much...much...MUCH MORE..instore FOR YOU.
USANII
-Alice Ngea
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THROUGH THE LENSE
THROUGH THE LENSE OF A FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER
M.J KAWIRA Words by J.J
M
ercy Joan, or MJ as she is popularly known, is a budding food photographer currently working to establish her place in the industry. Over the pastcouple of years, professional food photography has grown from a niche category to a widely recognized art form. A quick look at any social media platform will prove the extent of this craze, with both regular people and restaurants posting images to promote their personal skills or businesses; however, few understand what goes into creating the perfect food photograph. As MJ explains, it is not just about the image of food on a plate. This presentation has to pop out at its viewers, stimulate their taste buds, and ignite a craving so strong it motivates them to seek it out. Only in this way can food photography serve its intended advertising purpose. MJ started her food photography journey in 2015. As a theater arts and film technology student at Kenyatta University, the topic of photography appealed to her more than anything else the course covered. Her decision to follow the path of food photography, however, was borne by pure passion. “I really love food,” she tells me. But it’s not just her love for fine dining that drives her. “I eventually
want to run restaurants and sell food,” she continues. “So I ended up doing food photography to learn about the advertising and branding that is necessary to run a food business.”
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THROUGH THE LENSE She admits that she has a long way before she gets there, though. Her career progression thus far has taught her the value of patience. Even though she ventured into the field of food photography in 2015, she started pursuing it professionally a year later; this is because she had to take some time to really learn the craft and perfect her skills.
According to MJ, this preparation is extremely valuable. “It makes sure that I don’t overdo
“Food will tell on you,” she explains. “If you takebad photos, it’s really going to show.” Unlike other forms of photography where one can get away with heavy editing, food photography requires a more natural feel. So MJ had to figure out how to work with natural lighting, set ups, and props to create life-like images that actually represent her client’s products.
MJ’s favorite part about her job is the flexibility is offers. No two days are ever the same. “I like
MJ’s current client list consists of restaurants looking to restructure their marketing campaigns. “I mostly work with restaurants,” she reveals, “I provide content for their social media
platforms, print media, and graphic design projects.” The work she does, therefore, plays a big
hand in attracting customers to her clients’ establishments.
To ensure that she satisfies her clients’ needs, MJ’s work process starts with research. “I prefer
to know what I’m photographing in advance. That way, I can do my research on things like composition, ambience, and proper plating.”
in presentation or under do it such that it looks plain.” Once she gets over this initial step, the rest is not as complicated. “After I get the general flow of things, all that’s left is to work out things like lighting, angles, and positioning.”
the fact that nothing is set in stone and I get to determine my schedule.” MJ’s career
has also taken her to new places and introduced her to people she would otherwise never have met. “I enjoy getting to work at a different site every time. You always learn from all the people you interact with.”
Even so, a career in food photography also has its challenges. “The most rampant issue in the field is ignorance. Many people don’t understand the essence of authenticity,”
MJ notes. When most restauranteurs want to advertise their goods, they rely on images downloaded from the internet. It is thus hard to convince such characters that they need food photography.
“If you take bad photos, it’s really going to show.” “ What t he y do n’t unde r st and,” MJ sa y s, “ I s t ha t t he i mage fr o m t he i nt e r ne t w as also c r e a t e d by a fo o d p ho t o gr a p he r . ” Going forward, MJ wants to continue honing her photography skills and growing her client list. Aside from food photography, she also wants to try her hand at nature photography. She has already acquired her first client in this new field and is hoping the lessons she learns will strengthen the foundation she is building for her future food business. U
“The first step was to understand food on the table. Now I want to figure out food in the farm, in its true form.” USANII
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MAIN FEATURE
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CHEMUTAI
SAGE
blazing a spirited trail By Maureen Shelmith www.jazzsymphonic.com USANII
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MAIN FEATURE
P
eople fundamentally turn to music for relaxation, to forget their grief and anxiety. They want to be happy. They want to sing it, dance it, tap toes to it, whistle to it, or clap hands on the beat to it or even play it.
Amidst the issues we are all currently facing, I had the esteemed honor of chatting with Kenya’s renowned, soulful singer, pianist, songwriter, composer and self-taught guitarist. Barbra Chemutai popularly known as sage.
To put the morning on an informal basis, we forget about the interview and we hit it off, with a cordial cup of joe at my house, as we watch a Netflix documentary, Taylor Swift: Miss American For Sage watching the documentary triggers memories of how her relationship and personallife were magnified by the media back in 2014. She had gotten entangled in a ‘celebrity’ relationship that led to the birth of her child.
MUSIC IS A HEALER Sage has always been a bit apprehensive talking to publications. “I don’t know what we’re going to talk about,” she said, sounding a little bit uncomfortable. The possibility that her conversation could be spun out of proportion by gossip sites terrifies her. Demons like this have pursued her, and she can never reconcile herself to such 'supposedly necessary' accoutrements of fame any more than she can adjust completely to fame itself. To put the morning on an informal basis, we forget about the interview and we hit it off, with a cordial cup of tea, as we watch Taylor Swift's: Miss American documentary on Netflix.
It seemed everyone had an opinion about her life. In 2015, despite the bountiful baby blessings, she dipped into post-partum depression – she talks about how she became so reclusive.During that time, Sage, got blessed with a beautiful daughter, Ayanna. Despite the bountiful blessings, she dipped intopost-partum depression – she talks about how she became so reclusive. "My family and close friends were ver� suppor�ive of me during that time," she recalls. However, “In a lot of ways,” she elaborates, “music really saved my life. It really helped me focus. The st�dio and stage became a ver� sacredplace, that is where I had an amazing connection with something higher than myself, where I could create and be out on the edge and totally be comfor�able with that edge, creating and feeling and hearing and not thinking, not being inhibited or intimidated”.
Curating a musical sacred stage One of her greatest joys is music. She enjoys talking about music focusing on genres that are not too specific to one generation. “The majority of stuff I listen to, my parents listened to – I grew up listening to a lot of contemporary gospel music and of course my dad’s favorites’; Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Classical music and Choir music”. I’ve got quite a collection at home, Jazz and semi-classical. I prefer to have good music around me at all times."
“music really saved my life.It really helped me focus” USANII
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MAIN FEATURE . In 2011, she started off her solo music career, her skillful and wistful writing provided opportunities to work with Octopizzo, Muthoni the Drummer Queen, June Gachui, Jay A, Kaz Lucas, Didge and Olive Karmen
Hearing this from Sage as a formula sounds modest; she has the training, the tools the instruments. Hers is a big and forthright voice. She is a singer with virtuosity, improvisational prowess, and unique jazz and R&B stylings. She is best known for her own songs, which reflect her own character and opinion.
Sage currently plays with her trio, veering back and forth between jazz and different versions of funk, soul and pop. Nothing she has played has come back to haunt her as either too radical or too traditional.
In 2015, she debuted her album, ‘Expose
Yourself’, which she co-produced and
wrote. Sage’s songwriting prowess wields the power of her skillful instrumentalism.
She plays what she likes, and trying to make music that, in a gingerly way, reflects advances in pop and jazz.
The gift that keeps on giving and Finding the Balance She nibbles through a sumptuous spicy noodle, as she hands me over a juicy and succulent pineapple they have just harvested from their shamba. Explaining how she likes to eat and whip up noodles, she says: ”
“It is the same thing with how I sing I work with my ear and try to make it feel right, spicing it up with personal stories until I see the audience relating to each song.
Moreover, motherhood has taught her the invaluable lesson of giving back. As we speak,Sage is currently working on a curriculum to teach passionate individuals about music as a way to give back. Through the lessons, she hopes that she instills a deep appreciation for music, an entrepreneurial spirit, identify work-life balance models and coping with the everchanging business needs of music. As we make plans to meet again, she is more relaxed, seems to have a firmer sense of her own direction and looks forward with enthusiasm to a greater measure of spare time. Her modesty and musical honesty remains deeply ingrained. U
Love is all we need by Sage
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GUEST COLUMNIST
BREATHE BY
Y
~ Jacquie
ou’d think by now she would know that the sulking wouldn’t get her anywhere, but here she was once again. Heartbroken, distraught and once more she felt as though a dagger had been passed through her chest and violently taken out so that she can feel the void he left when he decided to leave her. This was the second time he had done this and it was worse than the last. One would think he thrived on her pain, and if you watched him with her you’d arrive at the same conclusion. She was a beaming ray of sunshine. She walked into a room and everyone knew she was there. Between her beautiful smile and her sweet scent, there was so much one could get lost in. She would laugh and it would take you back to your childhood. To that perfect memory with your mother where you didn’t doubt for one second that she loved you You felt safe. You felt loved. You felt invincible because life was as perfect as could be. Hers was a gift not many had, and that’s what made her so special. And yet it seems like she was battling some kind of demon for her to be swept off her feet by him. He was what she wasn’t. He would walk into a room and you could feel a breeze sweep through the room. Suddenly the atmosphere would change and it was glum. So imagine when we would see them together. It was as though night and day were fighting to exist at the same time. The sun wanted to shine bright and the moon wanted to linger in silence with the streets silent and cold. Something was a miss Her world changed when he was in it and she seemed perfectly okay with letting herself fade into the background.
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She was more than willing to be his shadow. We all watched as this man ripped her heart out of her. She was beauty itself and here was this force that drew out all she had. He drained her of everything. She lost the sparkle in her eye and the smile that changed the world. She sat in the middle of the room staring. Her eyes wet with tears as if looking for a lifeline. She knew exactly what she had done, and she needed to undo it. As she looked around the room, she saw it. The music chords engraved on her wall. The paintings that reminded her of every milestone she had ever accomplished. The set of brushes and canvas that laid there, unused, gathering dust. She would need to reclaim her life once more, and she was going to do it one stroke at a time. Even though she would struggle the first few times, She would do this. As the brushes stroked, she would dance to the music that spoke to her soul, and there she would find solace. There she would find the sparkle that seemed lost to her. There she would put out her demons for the world to see, and this time she would be careful about who she let into her life. U
jacquies_corner
www.jacquiescorner.com
SPOTLIGHT
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MARIA GORETTI A vocalist, song writer and a violinist,she has played in different Orchestras and ensembles in the country and is just getting started..... Maria Goretti allows us to sneak a peak into her world.....
@mariamutindi How long have you been playing/singing I've been playing for 6years... I've been singing since forever.. What are you most curious about in life? Love Are you smart, or do you work hard? I think I'm a smart hardworker I can't really separate one from the other... If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose ? I'd choose INVISIBILITY ... .....true power exists in anonymity What is the best advice you’ve been given? Sit up straight What is the most useless talent you have? Nothing really comes to mind, but probably cheating at poker...? Idk How would you describe the music that you typically create? I don't have an specific genre of music I'm aiming at...right now I'm at an experimental phase, so I'm writing in a variety of styles..jazz, reggae, rap soul, classical pieces... but my musical foundation is in classical music I've just started venturing into contemporary styles... hence the experimenting. What is your creative process like? Depends on what I'm creating, if I'm writing for a track, scoring or arranging...i just basically like to find a quiet place where i can be in tune with my thoughts and emotions, and let the idea take flight... I typically write and rewrite till i feel satisfied Who would you most like to collaborate with? Nviiri the storyteller.... he's such a vibe. U
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USANII SALUTES
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ANGELA CHIBALONZA
PETER KABERERE
LADY S
MZEE OJWANG
MIGHTY KING KONG
E SIR
K RUPT
POXY PRESHA
USANII MAGAZINE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE WOULDN’T BE HERE WITHOUT THE SACRIFICE AND PERSEVERANCE OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US WE SALUTE AND HONOR ARTSITS WHO WENT BEFORE US,BUT THEIR LEGACIES WILL
ENDURE USANII
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