Legendary media personality-cum-singer Sheila Mwanyigha is a force to reckon with.
Having ruled the airwaves for years on end, she gets candid with The Sauce on a possible comeback, her upcoming album and love life.
1. You just dropped your new song with King Kaka after being off the music scene for quite sometime. Why the break?
I released the first cut off my new project called Pole Pole sometime last year produced by Provoke. The initial plan was to follow it up with a new release every other month. Unfortunately, 2020 was an extremely difficult year for me. I lost a lot of people to Covid-19 and my business was also been adversely affected. Those factors affected my creativity so this year, I thought it was time to start churning all the recorded material.
2. How was it like working with Kaka on the new record?
Provoke made it happen. We had been toying with the idea of collaborating with a rapper and he had suggested King Kaka. A friend drove me to the studio and as I recorded, King Kaka walked in. He listened to the track and laid down his verse as I watched. It happened all too naturally. There are more collaborations underway from the new project.
3. What exactly is the project?
It is an album. I have a huge catalogue. In my entire career, I have worked on 4 albums, but released only one. I hope a lot of my unreleased work is released while I am still live so that I can have my input in everything. I cannot wait to release this new album to those who seek meaningful music.
4. You graced our TV screens and airwaves on radio for years on end. What do you miss most? Do you contemplate ever making a comeback?
I miss radio most because you do not need make-up to be on radio, save for a little lipstick and gloss as you’re talking too much! (Laughs) I miss connecting with the audience. Each platform has a different dynamic, but I have always felt like radio and TV choose who they want. I am lucky to have worked with really great people. As for a comeback, I never say never!
5. You hosted Tusker Project Fame. How was your experience hosting this iconic show? Do you wish the show made a comeback?
TPF was my first serious TV job. It was my maiden reality show hosting experience, so every season came with lots of learning. This particular production team from South Africa helped teach so many intricacies of the whole show. From learning how big-budget productions are put together to things about me I had no prior knowledge of, the platform was an absolute eye-opener. It is sad that something that brought East Africa together for years exists no more. I would like to see TPF make a comeback, and even better, with me as the host! (Laughs)
6. Soon after leaving radio and TV, you embarked on entrepreneurship. How was the transition from employment into entrepreneurship with Rembesha Magazine and Sheila Lives Out Loud? (YouTube)
I will not lie and say it was easy and seamless. Moving from the comfortable confines of your paycheque to now having to hunt for a living and the living of my staff was not exactly the easiest. It has entailed constant reinvention as the world has been exponentially dynamic. My motivation has been knowing why I started in the first place.
7. You are regarded a legendary Kenyan showbiz personality. Is there any pressure that the tag bears?
Of course! When I first got started, I had no intentions of becoming that. All I wanted was to earn some money and finish university. That said, it is an honor, but I am a work in progress and not really perfect. Ok, I’m a little new perferct!
8. You have managed to keep such a squeaky clean image despite being in the industry for so long. How do you hack that, having been in the industry for so long?
I choose to keep my private life to myself and I am old school in the sense that there was social media back in the day so that kind of life is part and parcel of me. I let my work – and not my drama – speak for me. When it comes to dating, I learnt early not to let anyone in on my love life.
9. Speaking of dating, would you say dating Prezzo was your ultimate lesson to live by privacy?
Not necessarily. I had also been engaged to someone else. It was a conscious decision to not expose anyone in my life to that level of scrutiny.
10. Your verse on Chapaa remix remains a classic fan-favorite. What is a current Kenyan banger you would like to feature in?
I cannot think of any. Mostly owing to the fact that I do have not heard anything that aligns with my style of music. As much as Chapaa had all these different rappers from different genres, my input in the song was in tandem with my style. I enjoyed working with King Kaka and I certainly would like to be a part of anything he is on.
11. What is underway?
Look out for my album. I will be looking at my businesses and the online space differently. I will intentionally have more time for myself seeing as that helps me stay creative and sane.
12. How are you doing mentally right now. What is your take on the mental health situation in the country?
I am currently doing good. Like I said, last year was really difficult for me. I like that conversations are now shifting and more people are speaking up. We still need to more. Acknowledging that people are struggling and being less judgmental will come in handy a big deal.
13. Parting shot?
I am thankful for the love all these years. I would not here without it. It has been real and it has kept me going. I am grateful for it all.
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