MACHOZI: MUSIC IS MY CAREER

By Moses Nyamori

25-year-old Hussein Machozi is not different from any ordinary Tanzanian when it comes to courtesy. Despite his big and steady strides in the stiffly competitive music industry in East Africa, the fêted Bongo Flava artiste is a down-to-earth person. He’s always ready to intermingle with his fans, a phenomenon hardly seen among Kenyan artistes. Machozi is famed for his songs like Kwa Ajili Yako, Full Shangwe among other songs that have since rocked the Kenyan market. On a one-on-one interview with him on Saturday, Moses Nyamori delved to find out more about this musician who has now relocated to Kenya.

Nyamori: Who is Hussein Machozi?

Machozi: My real name is Hussein Rajab. I am a humble person who have no beef with anybody. Another thing about me is that I do music as a career and I always strive to make sure my fans are satisfied with my performance. I feel good when people appreciate my work!

Nyamori: When did you start doing music?

Machozi: Around the year 2006 if am not wrong. It’s now approximately six years in the industry and I’m still going strong. What I normally tell people is that they should not think of doing music if they cannot maintain it. Fans want artistes who can continually quench their entertainment thirst.

Nyamori: Who inspired you?

Machozi: I got inspired by a Tanzanian musician Mb Dogg. I used to sing his songs before I could produce my own and it’s through him and others that I have reached this far. I appreciate him a lot!

Nyamori: Is it true that you do much of your music in Kenya?

Machozi: Yes! My music is more appreciated in Kenya than even in my home country. My hit song, Kwa Ajili Yako, sold more in Kenya compared to any East Africa country. I get motivated by the appreciation Kenyans have shown to my work.

Nyamori: Given that you do much of your music in Kenya, do you have plans of doing collabos with Kenyan artistes?

Machozi: There are lots of plans! I have already done a collabo with Kenya’s Size 8. The song is called “I’m Addicted”. I have also featured two Mombasa based musicians in a new track ‘Nishaoa’. I still believe more collabos are on the way.

Nyamori: Early this year it was romoured that you were in a relationship with Avril, was it true?

Machozi: No! No! No! Avril is a close friend of mine like any other artiste and whenever we are seen together it does not necessarily mean we are up for ‘something’. I’m still very much single and when that time comes it will be public.

Nyamori: Where will Hussein Machozi be, in the music industry, in 2015?

Machozi: I will be up! I believe I have the potential to keep me growing in the industry. One of my major plans is to do collabos with superstars like 5O CENT among other internationally celebrated artistes.