The music scene in the +254 is undergoing some really massive growth. New acts, new groups and most importantly new genre are slowly being adopted in the Kenyan underground scene that's slowly rising among the urban youth of Nairobi. We've had Gengetone, Shrap, Debe, and now we have DRILL and to be precise KENYAN DRILL!!
And that's why it would be offensive and disrespectful to talk about this genre and not give respect or mention the Queen of Drill Stephanie Gogo aka Steph (or even Steph the Rapper if you're trying to be specific). If there's ever an artist that you can describe as brain meets talent its definitely Steph. She's an alumni of the prestigious African Leadership University in Mauritius. where she graduated (Hons) with a degree in Social Science. *
A lot of the conversations fans have in regards to her are always if she's either of Caribbean descent or if she grew up in the UK. '*looool I actually get that a lot.. I’m not Caribbean and I’m not British. I’m Kenyan. But Caribbean and British influences have shaped my life growing up. I fit in to both these cultures and the same goes for the Kenyan one as well. * was Steph's response
Steph started doing music from a young age, so this is something she's put her mind to since she can remember. *I’ve done music my whole life. Since childhood, I’ve been in recitals, sang in a jazz band and I’ve written raps since I was about 14... I just didn’t share that part specifically until recently when I released my first studio recording in 2018. *
She attributes most of her musical influence from her dad and older sisters.
'The whole family appreciates art and has undertaken something artistic at some point in their professional journey. We’re a pretty creative bunch so the family name might ring a bell in the journalism, media and entertainment scene if you’re an insider. I’ve got 2 older sisters and a younger brother.. so I’m the middle child in some sense I guess' the budding 22 year old singer tells us.
She's done collabos with: Garvey, Touri$t, Skartel, BV Accurate, Poppa Don and she's got plenty more on the way and in store for her fans. She's a believer in investing in herself and going solo and its because of this that she hasn't been trying to look for a record deal. *I’ve always been independent and I’d love to keep it that way. I have a small management team working between Kenya and Nigeria for now. We do everything among ourselves.'
She credits herself with being a pioneer of drill in Africa and she thinks the genre has a long way to go. 'I’ve heard of this dude called Natty who does drill in Swahili. His stuff is dope. Other than that, I’m yet to hear any drill from the continent that I rate. *
Biggest inspiration: *I can’t really pick just one. But I owe my come up to the grime scene - Kano, BBK and the likes. *
Steph performed her single None o Dem on LWKY.
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