Nick Mutuma: This is not a hobby

Nick Mutuma. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • "...Many people in the society associate the roles you play on TV with your real life."

Love him or hate him, Nick Mutuma — the actor, rapper and radio and TV presenter — believes he is a jack of all trades. He has excelled in acting and is still learning the ropes on radio, but it seems his music career might not be as rosy as he would want. He spoke to JOHN MUCHIRI

You know yourself better than anyone else, so what do you think people best know you for?

Well, I think people know me best because of my acting. It has brought me to the limelight more than anything else I do.

How did you start acting?

I was in college at USIU, doing a degree in International Business Management. I heard there were auditions for a role on TV drama “Tabasamu”. I went and got the role of this young student who was having a relationship with a sugar mummy.

That must have been a tricky role for you?

Yes, looking at the fact that many people in the society associate the roles you play on TV with your real life. They forget that you are simply acting on TV.

How bad was it?

My mother owns a restaurant and some of her customers used to tell her to warn me about my “bad behaviour”. It really affected her, but I had to reassure her every day that this was simply acting.

How about your father?

I grew up in Tanzania through my primary school years since my parents were diplomats. My father always supported my acting even when I was still in school, and he hasn’t stopped.

What happened after ‘Tabasamu’?

I made friends in the industry, who opened more opportunities for me. I was cast in the series ‘Changes’, which opened more doors for me to act in ‘Shuga’ Season Two.

You were the only Kenyan in “Shuga” Season Three which was shot in Nigeria...

Yes, and I was paid very well.

How much did you get paid and how big is your part?

(Hesitates…) Well, I only feature on one episode, and for that, I got $10,000 (about Sh850,000)

Just for one episode of less than 30 minutes?

Yes, the film industry has changed and big players have gone professional. As an actor, once you go professional, you stay there and not lower your standards.

Are you saying many actors are not professional?

Most of them have made that decision to be professional. But there are others who are fighting to be famous, so they will take any amount of money to play a role in a movie.

What did you do with that money?

I bought some land.

Instead of a new car for a flashy lifestyle?

Many people would have opted to do that, but I’m different. I focus first before living the lavish lifestyle.

Tell me more about your radio job

I started off as a marketing and events manager at 1FM, a position I still hold. However, I’m also a radio presenter at its sister station Hits FM. These two stations are run by one company, so people should not think that I left 1FM.

Okay, let’s talk about your music now

Hehehe, I know that’s where the drama is. Well, I started rapping when I was young and decided to record a song now that I can. That’s how “254 Anthem” came about.

Go on...

The audio was well received and got a lot of airplay. But when the video came out, merciless people called “Kenyans On Twitter” went on the rampage and almost made me regret doing that song.

Did you?

Regret? No, Kenyans went on Twitter to say that my lyrics were very poor and I should not try singing again. I took that positively and decided to take advantage of the instant fame in music. I have recorded three more songs and I shall be releasing them soon. My spirit never dies just like that.

The blogs have been reporting about you, especially being caught pants down in the clubs, bar brawls, among other things. What do you say about that?

You see, there is a reason why I read “Buzz” magazine on Sunday since time immemorial. It says the truth and verifies facts before publishing anything. For the blogs, they will do anything to get traffic on their pages. Why would you believe them? They have no evidence at all.

Okay, going back to your family, are you the only one in showbiz?

Yes, I’m the first born in a family of three. My younger sister is a lawyer while our last born brother, who is only 13, has more interest in football.

What’s your role on “Mashariki Mix”?

I took the position of Nick Wang’ondu — I’m a studio host and some times I go to the field. I like it because it will now give me the continental platform which I badly needed in my career.

Any major plans for you this year?

Yes, I want to be as active as possible in the film industry. This is not a hobby, it is my hustle, it is what I do for a living.

@moshiiri