Msito

Msito is one of the fastest rising underground emcees emerging from the Mecca of Hip Hop Kulture in Kenya, Dandora. Having begun his musical career as a child, Msito has managed to sharpen his writing, spitting and freestyling skills thus creating a buzz for himself in the underground Hip Hop scene in not only Kenya but East Africa too.

Come read his story as he takes you on a journey that began deep in streets of Dandora and continues now in the recording booth.

Welcome to Micshariki Africa kaka Msito. The last time we met was in Dandora where out of chance we managed to do a video podcast which actually birthed my first video podcast which led to more many of such podcasts. How have you been since we last met and what have you been up to?

I have been fine and since last time we met I have been working on several projects. I was featured on the KiswaHealing 2 which is an upcoming album by Maovete. I also got to work with Icon Radio where we produced four tracks for which we are currently working on their videos.

I also worked on an album with Umoja Sounds where I got a chance to work with some of the Ukooflani Maumau legends.

For those who don't know you kindly introduce yourself, who is Msito, what are your government names and what do you do?

Msito is a Hip Hop artist based in Dandora, Nairobi Kenya. My official name is Dennis Kimatu Mueni. Apart from music I also do garbage collection as a side hustle for my daily basic survival.

Tell us briefly about your musical back ground, how did this journey begin for you?

My musical journey began when I was young. I first joined MauMau when I was seven years old and got an opportunity to be trained by the Hip Hop heads. At the MauMau camp I met other young kids who were also rapping and we formed a group called Wafalme. Its 17 years since I started doing music.

How did your name Msito come about and what does it signify?

MSITO is an abbreviation that comes from a Swahili word mzito which means Heavy. Since I went solo many people used to tell me that I had heavy bars. The word MSITO contains a meaning in each letter that I created;

Music

Soothes

Inside

Truth

Only

That's how MSITO came about and it means.

I was surprised to find out that you have been singing, recording and making music videos since when you were is it 8 years old? How was your experience working with Dandora Music and how did it impact your growth as an artist?

Working with Dandora Music really impacted my growth as an artist since I got the chance to perform on big platforms and expose my ability on television and newspapers at a young tender age. At that time music paid for my education and other basic needs. I got to understand music more and my love for Hip Hop music grew and this boosted my self-esteem very much. I was able to learn much more about music while there.

Being in the music industry from that young age until now must come with its fair share of challenges. How have you managed to keep the fire burning in you and what makes you continue pursuing this dream as a Hip Hop emcee?

Coming from a poor background in the slums of Dandora I have seen young youths gunned down due to crime while others ended up in jail. Our hood has the largest dumpsite in Africa that covers about 30,000 acres of land which feeds more than 1,000 youths. All sorts of drugs abuse and criminal activities take place there. All the challenges and experiences that I have faced there keep me going always and I’m not stopping any time soon.

2022 was a busy year for you. You were featured in the second episode of Door Knockers Cyphers. What was your experience with working with your fellow emcees from the East African region?

Being featured on Door Knockers Cypher (DKC 3) was a stepping stone for me. I appreciate all the partners who came up with the platform and connected artists from East Africa. It really felt good gaining regional recognition, I also learned a lot about other people’s culture from my fellow artists’ lyrics after watching the final video clips of our song (DKC3). I really felt blessed to be featured on this cypher.

You also released your first full project an EP called Gorilla. What was the experience like working on this project, who were the producers and artists that you worked with? Generally what was the whole project about?

Yes I released my first Extended Play list (EP) project dubbed the Gorilla EP in 2022.The first single off the EP was Street Life was recorded at the Dandora Hip Hop City Record's (DHC) in 2021. It was recorded and produced by Andare James. I did this song after being quiet for a few years since our group fell. The song was inspired by the life that I was living.

After listening to the track I was motivated to do other songs due to the reaction that I received from my hood.I went into the studio again and decided to record Gorilla 1&2 which were both recorded at 32 Records by James Elshado in 2022. It's a coincidence how Andare & Elshado share a Common Name (James). Brima Maovete got a chance to listen to the songs at 32Records Studio and he advised me to work on a full project. He offered to pay for the project and did my first video for free since he knew what I was going through. Brima saved my career (musical). He also introduced me to Truce Label Studio's where I got a chance to record the other tracks for my EP.The Tracks were recorded and mastered by producer Kunta Official Beats

 I featured four artist on this project on the following songs;

Sura Punda ft. Brima Maovete & Snaidah Don dada

Each One Teach One ft. Brima Maovete & Shazzy B

Rada Ni Safi ft. Mc Lyrics

The whole project was focused on my experiences and observations about my society.

You were aggressive in marketing your project for which your released two videos. What was feedback from your fans about the project?

I received a massive feedback from my fans. My name also grew at a high rate since many people related with the videos. The videos also helped me market my EP well and enabled me to sell hard copies (CD) of my EP.

Any challenges that you faced in your journey as an upcoming emcee and also while making your first EP?

I faced lots of challenges as an upcoming emcee since all the groups that I worked with fell off until I decided to go solo. While making my EP I had no money to pay for the studio and didn't have much expectations although everything turned out well

What can your fans expect from you this year 2023, what do you have in store for them?

My fans should expect a big tunes and 4 videos from my EP, I’ve also been featured on Maovete’s album and I have a five track EP from Icon Radio ft Elijah Moz, Snaidah Don Dada, Nem R and Shazzy B. Plenty single tracks coming your way during the year.

Micshariki Africa and K Dawg (Truce Label) have invited you to work with them on their collaborative project together with Fedoo from Tanzania. How do you feel about this and what should fans expect about this project?

I humbly thank Micshariki Africa for inviting me to this project and connecting me with Fedoo who is representing Tanzania. I really feel motivated and appreciated 🙏🏿. All the fans should expect good music that will educate and entertain. (Expect the expected!)

What was it like working on this project and how much have you enjoyed working with your counterpart from Tanzania, Fedoo?

Working with Fedoo (from Tanzania) has been one of the best experiences and I also learned a thing or two from him (Fedoo). It’s going to be something that has never been witnessed before and that's what I enjoy the most (about this project).

Thanks for your time, final thoughts?

Africa is going to feel the power in music with the Micshariki Africa project. New School Hip Hop Movement working with legends is a clear millage that Hip hop music is going to be united💯.

Social Media handles?

Instagram: dennis_msito_32
Facebook: Dennis Msito (Gorilla)