Kenyan emcee Xtatic came out with a track that’s already got a lot of people looking out for her full album. The video ‘The prep track’ shows that as a female artist you don’t necessarily have to choose between a ‘Da Brat’ image and looking sexy, Xtatic does both – wearing a hoodie and swinging a baseball bat in one shot, then taking up Nicki Minaj looking fly in the next.
She is the first Kenyan female rapper with an inexplicable flow, who is artistic, sexy and a visionary of great work. Twenty-one year old Gloria Edna Mecheo, known to her fans as Xtatic, is a rapper rising so fast in Kenya.
Recently, she went to South Africa to record her debut album. She has also landed deals Sony Music Africa. Below is an interview extract from mtviggy.com.
How did your Sony Record deal come about?
Well, from my first single this year, “Prep Track,” which got a lot of people’s attention even though it was just meant for social network hype, to get my name out there. Seems it worked.
Can you tell us a little about the hip-hop scene in Nairobi?
Then, the scene was poor and nobody gave attention, but now, thanks to a few acts and persistent cats in the industry, it’s growing.
Tell us about getting to finals in Channel O’s MC Africa, an MC talent contest. What did you gain from the experience?
The Channel O MC Africa 2009 was hectic and unplanned for since I just bumped into the contest and was immediately listed among the auditioners.
It was exhilarating getting into the finals but not being prepared and knowing a little about freestyles then and how much practice was supposed to be put into it got me out; though it did teach me a lot about rap, especially freestyles and preparation.
Who were some of your inspirations early on? Who made you want to become a rapper?
Bahamadia, Lady of Rage, Lauryn Hill, Common, Talib Kweli were my main inspirations.
Are you in school?
Nope.
What do you do when you aren’t working?
I do a lot. I chill with my family, listen to music, listen to more music, draw, play video games.
Where do you draw inspiration from when you are writing?
Listening to cyphers and battles, the likes. I get a lot of psyche listening to other good rappers out there.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
In Africa, it would be Asa, MI, Liquid Deep and elsewhere Lupe Fiasco, J.Cole, Common, K’naan, and lastly the great Slaughterhouse.
What should we do when we visit Nairobi?
Look for a local delicacies—nyama choma n ugali or chapati-dondo.
Leave a Reply