“Set It” star, Dyana Cods: I plan on getting a new nyash

Dyana Cods (Diana Cods) breakout song 'Set It' released last year was her 56th song to record since she began her music journey five years ago. Ms. Cods chose to pursue music as a career instead of journalism, reason why she dropped out of university as she felt the latter wasn't fulfilling her purpose. ‘Set It' was the most listened to song in Kenya on Spotify and Apple Music when it was first released. It was also the most "Shazamd" song and had the most Tiktok hits, trending at #3 on YouTube and currently has over 11 million plays on YouTube.

Dyana Cods isn’t a stage name, it’s my real name.

‘Set It’ is a flirt song. When I sing ‘if I drop it down low is that what you prefer. So when I set it, pick up’. This is just a flirting vibe song.

Music has taken me out of my comfort zone. When I perform, I have to tap into this other persona, like Sasha Fierce (Beyoncé 3^rd studio album).

I am not a one-hit wonder, those who think so, let them wait. They think this is my first song. This is just the biggest hit at the moment.

 If there is someone I would love to meet it has to be Cristiano Ronaldo. He is just turned 40. Well I am not a fan of football but I so much love his brand. It’s the most marketable brand in the world. There is a way he just carries himself. I need to learn from him.

What I am grappling to understand is why we Kenyans artistes aren’t cracking the ceiling of living a successful showbiz lifestyle. I mean look at Diamond Platnumz, I don’t feel like we have a Kenyan artiste who moves like him, in terms of showbiz—luxury lifestyle and everything— yet we have the most talented musicians than Tanzanian and Uganda. Nigerians too, how comes they are getting it and we are not?

No I don’t have a beef with Femi One, I’ve never dissed her on a track but then again with the culture of Hip-hop there has to be a little feud among rappers. You know ‘Kugwarana kidogo’. You see how Kendrick Lamar and Drakes beef got Kendrick’s five Grammys? It promotes the hip hop culture. I didn’t diss her, I teased her. I wanted us to be Kendrick and Drake for the culture but she chose peace.

Me taking on her was very calculated because Femi disses a lot of rappers and I thought I should reignite that. If you remember Khaligraph and Octopizzo beef it brought a lot of attention to our hip hop. It brought them so much good PR.

I was born in Kisumu but I was raised in Jericho. My lifestyle is pretty much influenced by my upbringing in Eastland’s.

I have never been to therapy; I think that’s a white culture kind of a thing. Why would I be telling someone my problems man? Yeye hana zake?

One of my lyrics ‘Birthday gift I am getting a new nyash’ is actually in my bucket list. I wouldn’t mind getting a BBL.

And yes I am the female Benzema, if you know him then you know.