Happy to achieve for others

What exactly do you do in the UK?
I’m employed by BBC1Xtra as a producer, and I also create different products for the station. However, I run my own recording label on the side.

What’s the name of the studio?

It’s called Social Misfit Entertainment, and has been running since 1998. We did a number of songs and my name starting growing both in the UK and Kenya. I produced a compilation album in 2002 which featured many African artistes.

Which artistes?
Different African artistes, including Kenya’s Kalamashaka, Gidigidi Majimaji, Necessary Noize, K-South and the late K-Rupt. In the same album we had other artistes who are big now, including Estelle, now one of the biggest female artistes in the world.

I was producing her in my studio before she became the Estelle we now know. Others include The Essence, who are big in the UK, the Real Element from Malawi, as well as Mr II, also known as Sugu, who is the pioneer of Bongo Flava music in Tanzania. Right now I’m working on another compilation album.

Where were you born?
I was born in Nakuru, but partly grew up in Naivasha before going to the UK.

You must have been young when you went to the UK?
Yes, I was 12 then, in 1986, my parents always wanted us to pursue higher education in the UK. Luckily, the oportunity came earlier than anticipated and the whole family left for the UK. In fact, I have very few family members here in Kenya.

So why the name Sir Prestige?
I love the name Prestige, and anything prestigious. I thought DJ Prestige wouldn’t work well and neither would Mr Prestige. Since I was in the UK, I decided to go with Sir Prestige, back in 1995. I wasn’t knighted by the Queen of England, but another queen in my life did that.

I understand that you manage DJ ShorteeBlitz, who was at the Smirnoff Uncompromised party last weekend in Mombasa?
No, I’m just his agent, just like I’m an agent to many UK DJs, including Trebble T, Robo Ranks, Cherryice, among others. I’m not involved with their day to day activities but I’m responsible for bringing them here in Kenya. However, for ShorteeBlitz, we have a long history together.

What kind of history?
He credits me for teaching him how to DJ, way back in 1989 when we were collegemates, which I personally disagree. I had a deejaying kit back then and when he discovered that, he kept on coming to my house after school, every day. I sold the kit to him, which he still owns up to date.

What’s your relation with Kenyan DJ Edu, who works at the same station as you?
I look after him in a bigger capacity than just an agent. One of my jobs at the station since I joined it in 2002, includes finding new talent. I got him the job as a DJ in the station to play African music in 2005, since he was already in the UK. At the same time I brought BBC 1Xtra to Kenya, which was launched at Homeboyz studios.

Have you ever organised shows in the UK for Kenyan artistes?
Yes, but not directly. I have been working with a guy called Diggi, who is famous for doing such shows. It involves a lot of logistics, that’s why I haven’t been able to fully organise them.

What’s your relation with Sir Henry?
He is a good friend of mine, I used his courier company to ship in and out music CDs. I knew he was about to starts his station, Homeboyz Radio, so before he launched it, he asked me to find him some new talent at BBC 1Xtra, and I recommended G-Money, who is now with the station.

How much have you achieved so far?
I think I have achieved for people more than for me, which is okay. Well, I own a couple of houses in the UK, have land in Naivasha and other properties in Nairobi as well.

Are you married?
Yes, to a Jamaican wife and currently have a daughter called Rihana.

What are some of the hard times you have faced in your life?
I lost my dad in 2005 to cancer, and unfortunately lost my first born son too, Montell, to the same disease, the following year.

What did you study in school?
I went to South Bank University where I did a degree in product management, higher national diploma in business and finance and finally did a masters degree in international marketing.

You were among the first producers of Estelle, who is now a big artiste in the world. Do you still talk?
Sure, we are always talking on phone. She has always wanted to come to Kenya, and I’m working on that. The difference is, she is now bigger that what she was two years ago.

If you were to come back to Kenya permanently, what kind of business would you set up?
I would set up a base where artistes can make music, get it to the consumer directly, without using any middlemen who take all the money. In the UK, there are less music stores right now and the artistes are benefiting directly.

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