Brima Rainman

Brima Rainman is a rapper, videographer and executive producer. He is a visionary artist and a storyteller who’s passionate about the "Knowledge" element of Hip Hop. He finds it important to stand for something through music. You can't just act like you are an artist. You have to be an artist and express your vision and voice, which is artistry. Hip Hop has been part of his life and has made him the person that he is. His main motivating factor is the use of entertainment and art for therapeutic purposes and to inspire anyone that gets to listen to his work. He begun music as a beat maker and got the first chance to record vocals in 2006 as a feature on several tracks when @g2theflow was working on the Zishanirarukia album released in 2007. That opportunity made Brima fall in love with the lyrical aspect of music because it made it possible to share what was on his mind as words to complement the feeling that’s in the instrumentals and he never stopped since.

Brima is a member of Maovete, a music group co-founded with Gitonga Mukira as a crew of urban alternative artists that has collaborated with Kitu Sewer of Mashifta on the critically acclaimed debut album titled Kiswahealing. The album is available on all streaming platforms and has songs such as “Kun Faya Kun”, “Utakwenda Wapi”, “Endelezi”, “Drunken Master” etc. These songs have great videos on YouTube and have played on local radio. Brima is also a poet and skilled as a voice over artist capable of making radio jingles, adverts, spoken word and reality rap music for advocacy purposes. The intro and Outro on Kiswahealing are some examples of such work.

Before we start, for those who don’t know you, who is Brima Maovete?

An artist and a revolutionary, working towards using art as a tool to connect with likeminded and like hearted people

You are a member of the crew 'Maovete'. Tell us about the other members of Maovete and how it all started?

Maovete was officially formed as Gitonga Mukira and I worked on a collaboration album with Kitu Sewer. Kiswahealing turned out to be our first album but Mukira and I have known each other for around 20 years. We used to be neighbors growing up and we would often meet because we had a common interest in music.

Maovete released the first project Kiswahealing, 2 years ago. It was a collaborative project with legendary Kitu Sewer. What can you say about this project before we embark we delve into discussing Kiswahealing 2?

Kiswahealing has been a way to literally heal. Covid brought about a lot of changes and we were all forced to deal with the challenging times. However, the lock downs and curfews gave us a "time out" that was much needed. Having nowhere to go and being forced to stay indoors gave us a chance to reflect on a lot. It's almost like we got a little wiser. Any opportunity to hang out felt like a breath of fresh air and we'd be excited to have discussions about a lot of stuff. Kiswahealing was naturally created in that context and it has been a way for us to heal and keep sane. We're forever grateful that we're blessed to work with Kitu Sewer and also for the way Kiswahealing has been received.

Who are some of the producers involved in the Kiswahealing 2?

Both Kiswahealing I and II are fully produced by Siepna Inc. Gitonga Mukira is the genius behind the music

How many tracks are on Kiswahealing 2 and what should the Hip Hop fraternity expect from this project?

It's a 16 track album. Expect nothing less than the best music you have ever heard since you were born.

Looking at the track list, there are names of some artistes who pioneered Hip Hop in 254, the likes of Kamaa Kalamashaka, Wenyeji & Kitu sewer. How was it like working with them?

It's history in the making. We first worked with Roba Oteraw Of Kalamashaka on two tracks in Kiswahealing I (Endelezi and Pan-de-mic). Now we're hoping we'll also get to work with Mr. Vigeti and fully be knighted by the founding fathers. Both Kiswahealing I and II feel like a time capsule that embodies Kenyan Hip Hop for generations to come.

This time you have decided to make it more diverse unlike Kiswahealing 1 you have brought on board new blood, is this a strategy to uplift the up and coming or what’s the plan?

It's an effort to pass the torch to the young in’s while it's still burning. Also it's very interesting to have an opportunity to relate with the younger generation

How was the process like coming up with this project? What is the inspiration behind it?

One word...Togetherness

 Why stick with the name Kiswahealing? What’s the meaning behind the name?

It a word play on Kiswahili, our language and healing.

Do we have videos from the album?

Yeah, so far we've shot a few videos.  Videos for Togetherness 1 to 4 have been combined into a short film. We wanted to do something different and we hope people will like it.

Who are some of the new blood featured in the album that we should pay a close attention and the reason why?

Everyone on the album is super dope. Siepna Inc is currently in talks about signing Msito and Shazzy B.

Is Siepna Inc. a Maovete affiliate?

Yes, that's our record label.

Explain Kiswahealing 2 in 3 words.

Togetherness for healing.

Where will the audience access the album?

On all streaming platforms.

Whats next for Maovete, after Kiswahealing 2?

Kiswahealing 3 is already in the pipeline. So far we have some dope collaborations with the likes of L-Ness, Mchizi Gaza, Romi Swahili, Fikrah Teule and Kunta Official Beats. We plan to give our fans everything we've got

What’s your take on the current state of Kenyan Hip Hop?

It's in rare form. A lot of exciting things are happening right now. Shout out every one who's helping us move things forward.

Maovete is also one of the founding member of Door Knockers Cyphers, how has the journey been like and what should the fans expect this year?

The journey has been very fulfilling and a good way to connect with many people who care about Kenyan hip-hop.

Social media handles?

Facebook: Maovete
Instagram: Kiswahealing
Twitter: @kiswahealing

Word to your believers?

Help us spread our message of Togetherness

Who would you like to shout out, specifically in the making of Kiswahealing 2 album?

MC Kah, he is a great mentor and friend. We’ve been able to pass the torch to a lot of young people in his spirit and motto of "Each One, Teach One".

Parting Shot?

The healing continues.