Apart from music, which we know you for, who is Silverstone?
I’m actually a very private person outside music. I’m family-oriented, into fashion and tattoos, and I love creating things. I’m curious and always working on something.
I’ve bred dogs before and really enjoyed it, but it was overwhelming at the same time, big dogs are a whole problem. I learnt the hard way, lol.
Where and what did you study at university/college?
I went to Kenyatta University main campus to study Tourism!
Favourite/worst unit while on campus?
My favourite was Hospitality Management. Both my mother and grandmother were in the hospitality business, so it rubbed off on me. The worst were units involving lots of numbers. Creative people have a hard time with maths for some reason!
Best and least favourite lecturer?
The best was Ms Janet, who taught Hospitality Management. The worst was the lecturer who taught Tourism Economics.
How was campus life generally?
Campus was a time to figure yourself out. You meet different kinds of people, learn independence, make mistakes and learn from them. I had good and stressful times, plus stories I probably shouldn’t tell on camera. Overall, it shaped much of who I am.
How did you make money while on campus?
I used to hold little concerts at KU and charge Sh200 every Saturday, get a DJ, the whole shebang! I also sold clothes and jewellery whenever we had concerts.
How was dating on campus?
Funny thing, I never did. I don’t know how I skipped that stage. I started dating after university.
What do you think of campus relationships?
They’re important if you approach them the right way because they help you figure out what you like and don’t like. By the time you’re in the real world, you have some experience.
Where did you hang out on weekends?
Weekends were for university get-togethers and parties at spots near the school. We also planned hikes, walks and visits to hidden gems and food spots.
What did you do with your free time?
Hung out with friends, writing music and exploring studios. I met some of my close music engineer friends then. I’m glad I did.
Classmates you will never forget?
Definitely Sheela! We went to the same high school and campus. She took me to different studios, we shared our dreams, and we’re still best friends today. I’m glad I met her.
How did you get into music?
Music had always been around me. My mother was an artist; I remember she recorded a song and played it around the house. Getting into it seriously was gradual.
I started writing and expressing myself through rap, inspired by Nazizi, and eventually realised it wasn’t just something I enjoyed, it was something I genuinely wanted to pursue.
How has the music industry been to you, and what are some of the challenges you have faced?
It has given me amazing opportunities, but it has also tested me. One of the biggest challenges is that talent is only one part of it. You also have to understand business, branding, contracts, distribution, marketing and your audience.
Being part of Red Bull 60 Seconds is one such experience because it challenges me to think differently about how I present my art and what I can create within a short format.
Talk to us about ‘Stick’. How was the writing, and what inspired it?
Fun fact – ‘Stick’ was the first music video I personally directed. I saw a gap in dance and choreography within hip-hop and incorporated that into the video.
I heard the beat and immediately started writing. For the collaboration, I felt no one else could do it better than Mr Right, so I hit him up and we locked it in. Best collaboration!
Take us through ‘Explain It’, a project you did with Scar Mkadinali. How did it come about?
‘Explain It’ was one of those records that just made sense. Scar is an artist I respect, and I knew the combination could create something special.
The song came together naturally, bringing two different energies together without either of us losing who we are.
Who are some local and international acts you would like to work with in the near future?
I’m blessed to have already worked with Khaligraph, Wakadinali and King Kaka. I’d love to work with Nyashinski, I’m manifesting that as we speak! Nationally, I’d love to work with Jamaican artists.
Dancehall has inspired me for a while, so Shenseea, Skillibeng and Skeng. I’d also love to work with Central Cee and Dave. For African artists, Tems, Tyla, Wizkid and Nasty C.
What would you like to see implemented, addressed or introduced in the music industry?
I’d love to see more transparency and better education for artists, especially the business side. Many young artists don’t understand publishing, royalties, contracts, distribution or ownership. People only learn after making mistakes.
You recently participated in Red Bull 60 Seconds. How was the experience?
It was a different kind of creative challenge because you have to communicate who you are as an artist in such a short time.
I stayed true to my sound while thinking about what I wanted people to take away from those 60 seconds. I really enjoyed it because it pushed me to be more intentional about my delivery.
A word of encouragement or caution to young and upcoming musicians?
Don’t be in such a hurry. Build your craft, understand your business and protect yourself. Everybody wants the viral moment, but a career is much bigger than one song doing numbers.
Take advantage of opportunities that let you build your craft, experiment and introduce your sound to new audiences. Sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone, like taking on a challenge such as Red Bull 60 Seconds, can also teach you something new about yourself as an artist.
One last thing you would tell your campus self?
I’d definitely tell her to dream bigger, and fear literally stands for False Evidence Appearing Real.