WHITE COLLAR | ISSUE 004
A MAGAZINE FOR THE CAREER-PERSON AND ENTREPRENEUR
1
WHITE COLLAR | ISSUE 004
EDITOR'S NOTE 03
THE ROLE OF CREATIVITY IN CULTURE 04
EAST AFRICA'S HYPER-REALIST SENSATION 08
SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH TREVOR'S EYES 12
Contents WANURI KAHIU ’S JOURNEY OF COURAGE TO CANNES 16
SETH GOR'S HOT TAKE ON COMEDIC CREATIVITY 21
AFRO-FUTURISM WITH JACQUE NJERI 23
HIP-HOP SENSATION TUNJI 26
2
A MAGAZINE FOR THE CAREER-PERSON AND ENTREPRENEUR
WHITE COLLAR | ISSUE 004
Editor’s Note Hello & Welcome to White Collar! In this issue we look at creativity and its next generation stewards. The Novelist Ayn Rand said ‘professional intellectuals are the voice of a culture and are therefore, its leaders, its integrators and its bodyguards.’ We identify the role of the artist and draw from their virtues. ‘Creativity takes Courage’ said Henri Matisse and the courage to be honest about our society is what will push us to make the required changes. We also acknowledge the role of creativity to preserve culture in a society where people try to shed their culture. Legendary musician and anti-apartheid activist Hugh Masekela saw this and spoke about it saying “20 years from now when my grandchildren are asked who they are they will say ‘It is rumoured that we used to be Africans long ago’.” This is an effort to clearly define what makes us who we are, and encourage us to cling to our uniqueness. We hope you enjoy this issue. Keep reaching out to us across our social platforms.
Contributors:
Michael Kiruthi, Esq Emmanuel Kyama
A MAGAZINE FOR THE CAREER-PERSON AND ENTREPRENEUR
Kyama Kivuva
ManuKyama
3
WHITE COLLAR | ISSUE 004
4
A MAGAZINE FOR THE CAREER-PERSON AND ENTREPRENEUR
WHITE COLLAR | ISSUE 004
T
he places we’ve been to and things we’ve experienced shape our personalities. The way we do things, the food we eat and the way we dress are quintessential representations of who we are and where we’re from.
All these little puzzle pieces of music, fashion, language and so on, come together to create a larger picture more complete picture of a people’s culture. Culture can be defined as the ideas, customs and social behaviours of a particular people or society. In a way this definition ties in to the arts and manifestations of human intellectual achievements regarded collectively (this definition is closer to pop culture though). Every generation has their markers and identifiers that single them out and act as a reminder of the times they lived in. A given era’s popular culture triggers untold nostalgia and like waters breaking through a dam wall, memories flood back. A given time’s culture is an accurate measure of what people thought, felt and thought. Looking deeper into culture, you begin to see that yes it’s a representation what people thought but in many ways it is a vital tool that shapes thinking. Culture is how we tell a new generation that ‘these are our values’. It has proved to be a more potent teaching tool than an actual classroom. It’s close to impossible for culture to be expressed without creativity. Many people have tried to define creativity. Eric Jerome Dickey said “It is impossible to define creativity. It’s like asking a bird ‘how do you fly’. You just do!” Einstein tried to describe it and said “Creativity is intelligence having fun!” Creativity is the cornerstone of a culture. The various expressions that colour a culture are born from creativity. How people create and what they create, be it music or film or paintings help people see the world differently and this is incredibly profound and powerful. “Art, Freedom and creativity will change society faster than politics.” said Victor Pinchuck.
A MAGAZINE FOR THE CAREER-PERSON AND ENTREPRENEUR
5
WHITE COLLAR ISSUE 004
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF My name is Tunji. I’m an artist. I’m 23 year olds, and from Coast. I’m currently studying computer science at University.
N
airobi’s latest Hip Hop sensation Tunji, made a splash recently with his song ‘Mat za Ronga’. He touched on a part of Nairobi that people relate to. (There’s always a bit of competition between matatus/buses from different neighbourhoods based on creative graffiti, Sound systems and general appeal.) He has a unique sound that goes beyond any musical trend and his play on words and rhymes are skilfully crafted. There’s a hint of feeling behind his lyrics and that makes them more real for the listeners. Some say that his ‘style and feel’ are reminiscent of E-sir, one of the Hip Hop Godfathers in Kenya’s music industry. His ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. Many in the music industry gravitated towards him, from media powerhouse Adelle Onyango who named him one of her favourite rappers, to Rap Guru Kaligraph jones who joined Tunji on the ‘Mat Za ronga’ remix.
26
HAVE YOUR STUDIES PREPARE YOU FOR MUSIC? No. I wouldn’t say that they have prepared me for this.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW IT WAS MUSIC FOR YOU? I didn’t really know. It wasn’t something that I planned. I’ve just loved music ever since I was a kid. I loved doing music and making music. It’s difficult to pinpoint a moment when I knew I was going to make music. It has always been in me.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE THROUGH YOUR MUSIC? For myself, I hope to leave a legacy. I want to reach out to as many people as I can with my vibe and allow them to connect with my particular style of music. My music speaks to certain things and I’d rather have people listen to that rather than general music that doesn’t have direction.
It’s evident that there’s a bright future ahead for this star.
For my listerners. Just Bliss Hehe.
He gives peek behind the curtain on this exclusive interview:
I want then to be happy when my song comes on because they enjoy the music. I want them to feel uplifted and to feel something when my song plays. I want them to feel the vibe from the music.
WHITE COLLAR | ISSUE 002
WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR A NEW ARTIST IN THE KENYAN MUSIC INDUSTRY?
HOW DOES A YOUNG KENYAN ARTIST EARN A LIVING?
I wouldn’t say it’s easy because in anything new youre doing you have to learn the ropes first. That’s always interesting.
Through the music, Haha! The Music!
I also don’t want to say that It’s challenging because nothing worth while comes easy. I believe that challenge, that grind is the price you pay. It its not challenging then it’s not worth it. I don’t want to say it’s bad or it’s good. I’ll settle for comme ci comme ça.
WHAT’S BEEN THE YOUR LOWEST POINT SO FAR? Just promoters acting shady. But that’s what they do. It’s easy.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR HIGHEST POINT? The way people received the music and the way people appreciate the music. I didn’t expect that at all. I was so surprised to see people vibe with the music and relate to it.
LET’S TALK ABOUT TILO? WHAT DREAMS DO YOU HAVE TO TILO? Tilo is a music production house I formed with my producer Elvis. My dream to Tilo is that we take it world-wide. I want to make it a house hold name. After I’m long gone I want Tilo and infa to still be around. That’s going to be my legacy.
A MAGAZINE FOR THE CAREER-PERSON AND ENTREPRENEUR
The more music you put out there. The more shows you get to perform at. Through the paid features that you do, when other artists want to have you on their tracks. There’s also endorsements from various companies. All these sponsorships, endorsements and so on come from doing music and doing it well. Your music has to be popping. But you have to stay sharp. It’s a the music industry. It’s a business. And you always have to position yourself well for business.
IS MUSIC AS A CAREER CHOICE SUSTAINABLE? Yes. I’d say yes. I’m better off now that I was before. I can pay my bills and take care of myself. I can buy things that I definitely couldn’t before. For me it’s sustainable.
WHEN WILL WE SEE AN ALBUM? Not in the near future, hehe.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR TUNJI? Dash! (He referenced to the song he recently released called Dash) ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊
27
WHITE COLLAR | ISSUE 004
Ad space
28
A MAGAZINE FOR THE CAREER-PERSON AND ENTREPRENEUR