Attention Please! Meet Atwal. The Savior Of Kenyan Music….And Our Very On Timbaland.
He’s young,he’s bubbly,he’s funky,he’s fresh,he’s gifted,he’s innovative,he’s happening and he’s making huge waves… He’s Atwal.
After bumping into his song ‘All Day’ in which he collaborated with a slew of fresh talents and some sure-fire rappers including Khaligraph Jones,I decided to catch up with this new kid on the block and get to know him better. And more.
I’d heard of him. Maybe once or twice… And had always wanted to meet up this chap with such wholesome talent and impeccable songwriting skill. And meet him I did. And yes,he’s everything I thought he’d be. Maybe even more.
Clad in a casual black t-shirt and some fresh Converse kicks,a glimmering watch and some really fresh cologne,Atwal walked right up to me with the swagger and bubbliness of a confident artist who knows what he’s doing,knows where he’s going and sure knows how to get there.
He didn’t show up with any hangers-on… And didn’t even look like the talent he carried. But he did bring along his manager,Achie,and fellow rapper Kelvin.K with him. Kelvin.K was just like his peer,all cool and had the demeanor of a funky Nairobi trap boy whose ready to ambush and take over.
We sat at Java Koinange Street for some talk and juice and laughter.
I got to know Atwal quite well. Got to get into his world; a colorful world of innovation and skill and boundless creativity and ideas and mighty zeal.
I walked into his bare soul… Finding nothing but a burning desire to excel in him,yearning for success and readiness to learn and invent and create and change the game.
Atwal,after the illuminating chat I had with him,wasn’t just any other musician… Or songwriter intent on making a kill,cashing some quick buck or amassing sudden fame. Atwal,I gathered,was a patient soul who was content in creating and building at his own pace… Taking time to bring out the best in not just himself but his signers too.
Atwal has worked with the likes of Kelvin.K, Taio, Fena, Mumbi, Zonda, Xtatic, Dora, Chief Mufasa, Timmy-Tim & Khaligraph Jones to name a few.
Cabu Gah: So,Who is Atwal?
Atwal: Atwal is an artist, music producer, & songwriter born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. I began piano lessons at the age of 13 and began composing music at 14 using Sibelius 4 which was given to me by my high school music teacher at Brookhouse. After years of practice and tutorship by fellow producer Gideon Kimanzi in 2010,I got my hands on more professional software and equipment and began working professionally as a music producer and songwriter at the age of 17 in the year 2012.
CG: And then?
Atwal: And then I joined a music group known as Wryterz Block as the producer, sound-engineer & manager. In mid-2012,we released our first single entitled Dance produced and co-written by Atwal. The single caught the attention of Monique Kabuye from Homeboyz radio. She then reached out to us and held a two hour long interview with the Wryterz Block group members on her morning show. The single then got published on Ghafla and Wryterz Block was referred to as the group to watch out for within the article. After a number of singles released,we came up with two more hits entitled More Than You (featuring Zonda) and Hakuna Matata. They gained even more online recognition gathering over 5,000 plays on soundcloud, a spot on the HomeBoyz radio Hit or Miss count down, another interview with Monique Kabuye on her morning show, an interview on USIU radio, and a gig a carnivore grounds that gained us even more recognition. All under MY management.I also produced and co-wrote all of the music.
CG: Wow! Impressive…And what happened to the group?
Atwal: Unfortunately, the group parted ways in July 2013 due to conflicting visions. I then began to work as a solo artist and formed the Atwal Music stable working with with Kelvin.K, Zonda & Chief Mufasa as his core artists. Apart from releasing solo projects, they became the first artists to release creative material under Atwal Music. I wrote, produced, engineered, and managed all of the artists’ material and brands. They went on to release a number of notable singles including All The Way Down, You, Don’t Be Mad, Dance, Fantasy Prelude & Fire to name a few under Atwal Music.
CG: Interesting! That was fast! Go on..
Atwal: I was then noticed by Taurus Musik and was approached with a job opportunity as an in-house producer.But I declined. Although, Zonda & Kelvin.K chose to sign a recording contract with Taurus Musik after receiving a similar offer. They ceased to release solo projects under Atwal Music due to contractual limitations. Although, they continued to collaborate with me on multiple projects. In 2014, Atwal Music released the 2014 AtwalProducedThis compilation on Waabeh consisting of a collection of the best music I had produced for Zonda, Kelvin.K and Chief Mufasa that year.
CG: So,even after they got signed to Taurus Musik you guys till worked together sort of?
Atwal: Yes,Yes we did…No bad blood…No Taylor Swift situations…Haha
CG: What happened after releasing the compilation album?
Atwal: After the attention gained from the compilation, Atwal Music was featured on a Daily Nation interview article regarding Kenya’s over-reliance on end-year tests and disregard for music and arts in schools, and my single Today featuring Rain’ De was featured on Up Nairobi’s best tracks of the month.
CG: You’re quite the achiever. What are you now upto? Current projects?
Atwal: I am currently working on the AtwalProducedThis Extended Play project. It is a project that consists of 7 tracks featuring a slew of artists around Kenya and Africa including Khaligraph, Pesa,Timmy-Tim, Fena, Ivory Namara,Rain’ De plus many more .The first single is a collaboration featuring Kelvin.K, Zonda, Chief Mufasa, Timmy-Tim & Khaligraph Jones which was recently released on 30th May 2015 and is entitled All Day. The song was produced,engineered and co-written by myself.
CG: I saw the video! Dude! That is some International stuff right there! Who shot it? Who financed it? Man!
Atwal: Thanks man! Thanks alot. The music video was financed by myself,directed by Brainworks group, co-directed by me and solely edited by myslef too…
CG: How old are you again?
Atwal: 21. (Laughs)
CG: Then how did you learn to do all these things? You’re too young to be so good…
Atwal: (Laughs) Hard work,Bro. Hard Work…And a little help from friends,partners…etc…
CG: Congrats,Bro! You’re really taking Kenyan music far…Please don’t die away like the Camp Mulla crew…
Atwal: No,I aint dying away. And thanks…Watch this space. I’m here to stay. And change this game. Forever!
CG: Cheers man!
Atwal: Cheers bro and thanks again!
Check out the FRESH AS HELL music video for All Day. Best thing I’ve watched this year. Hands down!
