Re-introducing Sugar, The Lady That Has Kwatchuad Phoenix Records Brainchild Brian Okemo’s Heart

By Sheila Kanja on May 8, 2015

After 7 years of dating, hip hop guru Brian Okemo of Phoenix Records finally made a true woman out of Sugar. Now any hip hop head knows enough about Brian, but not Sugar. So beautiful people, pull up a chair and I’ll take you through Sugar’s life journey.

Her life

Sugar aka Judy Ogake was born in Kiambu in 1987. Her love for music began at an early age, finding her singing along to songs her father would play.

Her vocals developed well as her interest increased and after high school she began pursuing her dream to sing professionally.

Sugars drive and ambition, has kept her pushing along in the music industry, attaining experience along the way, with opportunities to work with such legends like Harry Kimani as well as artist in the secular part of the industry, including emcee Abbas Kubaff, Attitude,Chiwawa, Ukoo Flani, Skani flani, Kimya, Sharama, 3rd Eye (Top emcee in Malawi), Lon Jon (the captain) and many more.

Sugar feels that her growth is based mainly on her ability to adapt to whichever genre is placed before her, giving her the freedom to explore her true voice.

Through college, Sugar mostly worked as a BGV for Harry Kimani as time did not allow her to pursue a solo carrier. After completing of her studies she decided to find a Record label that would accommodate her desire to sing in all genres and be a Hip Hop artist and Phoenix Recordz agreed to sign her to the label as there female artist.

Music Journey

Under Phoenix Recordz, Sugar has had performances @

Alliance Francaise,
Headlining @ WAPI diva edition at Sarakasi Dome,
‘Big Ballin’ Youth empowerment Basketball Tournament- (regular
appearances @ Carols Place 5th Avenue, Upperhill)
Mr and Mrs J.U.A.T @ BOMAS of Kenya.
Chaguo la Teeniez Awardz show 2012
Kenyan Top Hip Hop Artist-Bamboo’s Kenyan Tour – 2012
Safaricom Traffic Jam – Michael Joseph Centre Safaricom House
Mr and Miss JKUAT 2013 – Carnivore
Octoberfest 2012 – Impala grounds
East Africa Motor Show – Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

Music aside, Sugar has also had a fare share of TV appearances.

Interview on her carrier on Citizen Power Breakfast,
Interview on her carrier on KBUZZ on K24 television,
Performance @ Mr and Miss Nairobi University on Grapevine KBC,
Performance @ Wapi Diva Edition on Grapevine KBC
Finalist on ‘Kenya’s greatest entertainer’ KISS TV

Sugar came out strong with a collaboration with Hip Hop Legend Bamboo, she made her debut into Kenya’s hip hop circle by filling out the hook with the catchy phrase “2 5 Flow”.

Her three Music Videos “Say Yeah” and “Amazing” highlight the importance of female unity and belief in the strength of a woman. The first Video “Say Yeah” aired on Channel O Tv receiving great reviews and introducing her to the rest of Africa.

Charity heart

Sugar has a very firm belief in children and helping them achieve there own potential, in that endeavor you find her affiliated with a number of projects that give back to the children.

KIBERA PAMOJA NA PHOENIX JAMROCK FESTIVAL – raising funds and supplies for Mama Paradise Childrens Village in Kibera. An Ongoing Campaign geared to raise awareness and Support for a Single lady raising over 100 children in Kibera Slums with very little help.

SOS CHILDREN – Raising supplies for Buru Buru SoS Childrens Village.

KANGEMI COMMUNITY SHOW – performance at no fee for a free show for the children.

SAVE THE MAU PROJECT – Tree planting in Nairobi with Wangari Mathai covering youth responsibility to the enviroment,

Helped organize Thika Save the Mau Awareness Tour In Thika, with S.T.L, Abbas, Nonini and Other local artists involved in the Cause.

RED CROSS – CHAGUA AMANI CAMPAIGN.

The secretary General Abbas Gullet and the Red cross team asked Top artist in the industry to join them in sensitizing the country on the issues surrounding land clashes around the Tana Delta. Sugar alongside artists like Marya, Avril, Kenzo, Moustapha, Ali B and many others went down to Malindi to visit the communities affected by the clashes between the Orma and the Pokomo. Sugar also served on the artist-Red Cross committee with artists like Achieng Abura assisting the Director of External Relations Wairiko Waita in co ordinating and developing strategies that would help sensitize the public to the issues surrounding the violence around these communities.

Not wanting to tie herself down to one genre, Sugar describes her music as ‘people music’, where in no matter what genre the songs are presented in, the main focus is on the content, primarily trying to bring an uplifting message to her listener.