Kayvo is a Hip Hop Kforce To Recon With

Kevin Ambalwa popularly known as Kayvo Kforce, is a Hip Hop artist from Nairobi, Kenya. He is a rapper, actor and music producer. The Namba Nane music don is one of the most consistent emcees in Kenya representing Kibera where he was born and bred.

He has a couple of albums to his name; Fathela (2021), Namba Nane Drill (2021), Kayvo Ft. Galacha Music (2015), Fika Bei (2015), Hustle Ft. Galacha Music (2015) and The Mwananchi Initiative (2017).

For the first time at Micshariki Africa, Kayvo takes us through his musical journey and what he has learned along the way.

Welcome to Micshariki Africa, first things first, to those who don’t know you, who is Kayvo Kforce?

Kayvo Kforce is a Hip Hop artist/producer/actor/online show host/social activist from Kibera. I’m also the New School Kenyan Hip Hop pioneer and founder of the Kforce Hip Hop Group from Kibera, and Namba Nane Music Label.

What's the origin of the name Kforce?

The name Kforce was given to me by my brothers and friends when I started rapping with my group mates Bobby Slic and Ndochez among others, the "K" was coined from Kenya/Kibera/Kevin/King. I decided to keep it when I amicably parted ways with my group.

You've been in the game for quite some time, how has your musical journey been like?

Just like any other industry in Kenya, the entertainment industry is not a walk in the park. I've learnt so many lessons in my journey that have made me wiser and more enlightened in almost every aspect of the regional/African music Industry. All the highs and lows have taught me to put my self-expression first before anything else.

How do you describe your creative process?

My creative process is actually simpler than most of my fans think, my music is mostly inspired by my mood and my environment. Those two factors are what make me unique coupled with my prowess with the pen and on the microphone.

Let’s talk about your record label Namba Nane Music, what have you achieved so far with the label?

Namba Nane Music is still relatively new in the industry, besides my new music and signing myself and a couple other relevant creatives, so far we have been able to start and finish season one of the "Fresh Bars Friday" Hip Hop show in conjunction with Similar Studios Africa, that is available on YouTube. Namba Nane Films is in the works too. I’m working with my affiliate Mr. Ke4 on another venture dubbed Nambanane Skyline. Details coming soon.

Any artistes signed under the label?

The artists we are currently working with are Mr. Ke4, Gendi, and Yung Savv just to name a few. The line will only grow from here.

You have a good chemistry working with Mr Ke4 who is based in New Jersey, how did it all start?

 We linked via a mutual acquaintance Vjone a while back. Somehow we had the same taste/vibe in music and we have the same diverse, creativity, and flow heavy approach to Hip Hop music. We are also cousins but that's a story for another day.

You had an initiative dubbed Fresh Bars Friday but it hasn’t been going live nowadays, any plans of bringing it back?

Fresh Bars Friday took a break after the Covid 19 season made the logistical/financial navigation a nightmare, also am negotiating with different partners because the financial constraints can be too much with regards to self-funded initiatives. I can promise my fans that the show is coming back in full swing this year and every other year as we have sorted the little challenges that come with venturing into the unknown waters of the visual creative industry, at least for us, we have learnt quite a lot from just the first season.

You are one of the consistent emcees in Kenyan Hip Hop, what's the secret behind the successive run?

Consistency is hard when no one is clapping for you, that's why you have to have your own back at all times, also am consistent because I believe in talent and hard work. Protecting my mental health by focusing on the art and its longevity as opposed to clout chasing has also been a huge factor in my consistency.

Apart from doing music, what else do you do?

When am not writing/recording and performing music, am also the host/writer for the Fresh Bars Friday show, a Music Producer, an actor, a podcast host, and a businessman, also I work at Similar Studios Africa as a Creative Director and Assistant Director.

2023 is here with us, what should the fans expect from Kforce?

First of all I'd like to promise my fans that my new album is about to drop, will share the details. Our record label and Namba Nane Films are in the fine tuning stages so expect more consistent creative content as usual. The bombshell is that this year I will completely rebrand to our new unique sound, details on that also coming soon.

Word of advice to the upcoming who struggle so hard to a point of wanting to give up?

Do you, be you, and always focus on your mental health and what makes you happy. Music is a journey, not a destination.

Creativity and hard work over clout chasing. Social media is a great tool but also get off the internet and network with real people in real places often, not just your friends and supporters.

Your take on the current state of Kenyan Hip Hop?

Hip Hop is the genre with the most fans in Kenya, also Hip Hop artists have been representing Kenyan music on the continental and global scale more than any other genre. Hip Hop is the back bone of Kenyan music because Kapuka, Genge and recently Gengetone were all founded on the foundation of Hip Hop music. These guys are all rappers (including the greats like Esir, Jua Cali, Prezzo, Redsan, Poxi Presha etc) just on more commercially viable beats in Africa as opposed to the western Boombap, Trap, and Drill Beats.

Any new music that your fans should check out?

My new releases include Songa Pole Pole with Mr. Ke4 featuring Gendi, Mawe Kwa Ndengu featuring Yung Savv, Namba Nane Drill album produced by Gooner The Creative.All these projects are available on YouTube and streaming sites.

Social Media handles?

Instagram: @kayvokforce
Twitter: @kayvokforce
Facebook: Kforce NAMBA NANE

Parting Shot?

Trust in God always. #playkemusic above all else