Sugu Vudu
Sugu Vudu was born in the late 1980s in Kibera slum in Karanja neighborhood.
He lost his father at age of 7, leaving his poor mother with no choice but to raise him and his older brother as a single mother. They later moved to 42, another village within Kibera slum where he was influenced by a friend to do Hip Hop music in 2004. He did not write his own music until early 2006 when he joined a group of different artists from the slum called Ghetto Wasaani. He then started performing in different events hosted within the slums such as Goodnight Kibera and other road shows. In 2009 he moved to Satellite, a neighborhood in Dagoretti.
Sugu Vudu has performed and participated in various events and concerts including; Blankets and Wine, Kwani Open Mic, Dunda Mtaani Festival, Goethe Landing Zone Cypher, Jenga Talanta Government initiative, Poetry After Lunch (PAL) and 1000 Poets for Change. He has also had the privileged to be invited to the state house and perform for his Excellency Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta. Among his big achievements is working with various local and international organizations including; Green Global Africa (Iran), Marafiki Community international (Kenya), Ice Breakers Productions (Finland), Agape Volunteers (UK), UNDP, Mtaani Radio (Kenya) and DW-TV (Germany).
He is also a board member of the World International Street Children Day. His music and poetry present a succinct account of social and political development and some of the themes he deals with include, Gender Based Violence (GBV), Revolution, Human Rights, Drugs and Politics.
Who is Sugu Vudu? What are your real names? Give us a brief history of your background before we embark on your musical journey.
Sugu Vudu real name Alphonce Rama, is a Kenyan based rap artist, born in the slum of Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya.
Where did the name Sugu Vudu come from? Is it your real name?
I was given the name by my peers when I was still a teenager because of my crime lifestyle at that time, I was one of those guys who never gave up in street fights and was always a bully.
How did it all start and how has the journey been like?
I started rapping way back when I was in primary school standard six. I used to stay close to Underdogs Records founded by Babz On The Track, I was highly inspired and mentored by Nyanshinski when he was still part of Kleptomaniax and since then music has been part of me.
Where do you find your artistic inspiration?
My inspiration comes from nature and life experiences.
How would you describe your style of music?
My music is simply Hip Hop, conscious and motivating, since am a spoken word artist.
How do you see your sound evolving in the next couple of years?
I believe that evolution is inevitable and I am looking forward to where the music will lead me.
What's your favorite project so far and why?
My favorite project is Daughters Of Pain that I featured Rich Liano an American rap artist, the project speaks about the challenges that girl children face while growing in the slum.
Vudu Sugu, which artists do you think you would harmonise best with?
I really love Sauti Soul music, especially Bien's creativity and I know if given an opportunity with him in the studio we could really pull a great project.
If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why?
That would be Sauti Soul or Nyashinski, because of their capabilities and creativity in music.
How do you feel is the impact of internet in music industry?
Well it does have its pros and cons, but the internet is a good source of marketing and mobilization, it has made work easier and brought communities together so I support it a lot though it has opened doors to scammers and exploitation to artist who lack knowledge.
Music & creative industry has been hit hard by this Covid 19, as an artist what have you done to stay creative?
Well it's not just the music industry that has faced challenges but rather all businesses, personally it has given me time to read and research more since there were no gigs.
What is it about the way you do what you do, that you feel might separate you from others who try to do that?
I believe that art is a call for leadership, and through my art I have created a community initiative that works with children and single mothers, I give 40% of my income from events and merchandise back to my community every last Saturday of the month together with the help of some great friends that I won't mention due to unavoidable reasons.
Which hood do you represent, how have you impacted your community taking in mind that rappers have long been among some of the biggest influencers when it comes to matters empowerment?
I represent Dagoretti South but I believe that my music and poetry stands for the vulnerable and exploited communities all over Africa.
Seems you switching your work ethics, from doing hardcore rap to commercial, what's the reason behind it?
Well am always open to different ideas and I don't believe in limitations, I believe in collaboration and expanding creativity.
Word to your believers/fans?
Whatever it is that you wish to do, do it so well that the ones who sees it will want to be like you.
"Become a student of Hip-Hop; study the style of other rappers and develop your own distinctive sound. By the same token you should listen to as many different flows as possible to find out what works for you"
- Musiq Jared.
What can you tell that upcoming artist who is trying real hard to a point of he/she just wants to give up?
Music is not a competition but a means and mode of communication, if you choose to take the path, always give your best because you never know who is listening or watching your craft.
Word to 254 Media & royalty collectors?
Please stick on your lane and stop exploiting talents.
Your official social media/music platforms?
My music is available on YouTube as Sugu Vudu King and all other media platforms.
Anybody you want to shout out?
I want to shout out to my little brother Jacob Oguta for his managerial skills, Mark Recigiliano for believing in me, Obra Kiongozi and everyone who has been there for me.
Your parting shot?
Believe in yourself and others will believe in you.
Check out Sugu Vudu via social media;