This interview's been a long time coming. I've been postponing it for a while now. JK met with Moyo Keshinro AKA M.Y.Kesh and he spoke about his life, music and his supposed transition from gospel. Enjoy!
JK. In one sentence who is M.Y.Kesh?
M.Y.Kesh. Errm... I'm that young Rapper with the Genshi *(laughs)
JK. What was growing up like for you?
M.Y.Kesh. It was mad fun meehn, I was a happy kid, grew up in surulere, Lagos, I thought I was going to become a footballer, because I practically turned all my play clothes to Jersey's. (covers face), aside that I'm from a humble background.
JK. Educational background
M.Y.Kesh. I did my primary education in Aquinas Private School in Surulere, then moved on to Kings College Lagos, now I'm currently in my final year @ the Redeemer's University studying Mass Communication..
JK. When did you first notice your love for music?
M.Y.Kesh. My Love for music has been timeless mehn, I grew up listening a lot of music. My senior brother used to Slam jamz for Tupac, Biggie, Mase, Busta Rhymes, Puffy etc and my Uncle would jam up tunes from Fela, Bob Marley, all that kindf stuff. I remember I just wanted to be Lil Bow Wow (sighs)!
JK. Why did you choose the name; M.Y.Kesh?
M.Y.Kesh. Yeah! M.Y. Kesh is actually cropped from my real name Moyo Keshinro, people used to call me M.Y. For short, then rap came along so I added up Kesh to it, there you have it "M.Y. Kesh a.k.a Kenshi"
JK. What was your first time in the studio like?
M.Y.Kesh. Omg! Damn my first time in the studio was sad, I was 16 yrs old then, i paid for a session and the Producer just rushed me up, to rap my rubbish, I listened to the output and I cried! It was wack! I never went back for the song but things are better now, I can fix up 16 bars in 15 minutes.
JK. It's been said that you we're a gospel rapper before, what happened? Why the switch?
M.Y.Kesh. (clears throat), yeah, I started up as a gospel em cee, but just recently I had to switch up to an alternative, because yeah there is no industry for gospel Rap in Nigeria, most Pastors want to hear the conventional choir And also I wanted to reach more audience Christians, Muslims, get versatile with my Music. But most importantly I got to understand that gospel music is a Ministry, and I have to be called. I really don't wanna mis-represent the gospel, because I got that identity Crisis, you know that kind of stuff...
JK. Talking about your music; Ariwo's now everywhere, it's an anthem for quite a number of people, what was the inspiration behind it?
M.Y.Kesh. Ariwo (wide Grin) , first I want to say thank you to those that supported the growing success of that song #teamM.Y.KESH. So yeah, I , Kiddominant (producer) and Papy J, got back from a show, and we were @ F.O.T.M.C studio, there was this ginger to make Music, so I started scribbling lyrics, singing/ rapping, Kiddo was making the beat, and Papy J mumbling melodies, we hooked it all up, and you know the rest.
JK. Who do you wish to work with in the industry both, locally and internationally?
M.Y.Kesh. Locally mehn, I hear Tiwa Savage's voice a lot when I'm composing, would also love to work with the Choc boiz, I lurv Cynthia Morgan's Reggae/Ragga thing, and most of all Don jazzy and Wande Coal.
Internationally, Adele is on my mind, Chris Brown, Tinnie Tempah, the list is endless (smiles).
JK. What's next for M.Y.Kesh? What's the future looking like?
M.Y.Kesh. Wow. The future is going to be Great mehn by God's grace, expect more hit songs, my video coming soon and I'm expecting your support (winks)
JK. Now, the question from the ladies, do you have a girlfriend? If yes, tell us more about her. If no,why don't you have one?
M.Y.Kesh. Right now Kesh is in a Relationship with Music (laughs), I'm trying work now, so I can make that special Girl proud of Me, when she finally comes.
JK. Finally,if you were to come back to earth the second time as a Nigerian yoruba actor, who would it be and why?
M.Y.Kesh. This is easy (laughs).. It would definately be Baba Suwe (laughs), and because he gets paid to drop dope shite. (wide grin).
Erm can I say a shoutout to my Kiddominant, Jarmeu, Papy J, my Fam, Friends, my tweeps, and everyone supporting my music. Loads of Love, Bless.
