Agano Jipya: Don't Judge!!!

After being in the game for 10 years, Agano the one half of Wakamba Wawili returns after  2 years hiatus, with a debut album which will have street talking for years. The album 'Usini-judge' promises  to be one of the most  prolific albums, if the Pre-album is anything to go by, the pre-album is already out,  get a copy to get the insight of what I mean, DaKicker's Chris Prodigy had a privilege to have  a chitchat with Agano and this is how it went down. 

To the people  out there, who’s Agano?

Agano is a simple guy , down to earth. People  have the perception  that Agano  is  not  amiable, because  of the hardcore music I put out, but  I’m approachable and I’m open minded when it comes to music as long s it makes sense.

 You are doing your thing, Labala is doing his thing, are you guys planning to reunite for another album or have you guys decided to pursue solo careers?

It’s not like there is bad blood between me and Labala, Wakamba Wawili is still intact  in fact we  are planning to do a follow up to Tumesurvive kila vita, called  'Tumesurvive  Sio  Issue' ,  to add on that me and Labala  we’re like brothers.

You first came to limelight with the song “Fanya Tena” which also featured Juliani and Kitusewer how did that track mould you as an artist?

 The track gave me courage to visit the studio; it also made me more confident.

Your Lyrics are mature, assertive and street oriented, why do you think you don’t get the props you deserve, compared to artistes you clearly outclass?

 I don’t blame the  media,  I think  I’m  the one not really pushing my music,  Coz most of the times I’m indulged to other ventures  outside music, I’ve  joined forces with  other like-minded individuals and soon we’ll form a company which will be managing artists, I’ll be one of  the artists who will be managed, hence this will make it easier to  push my music.

What artists inspired you to become involved with Hip-hop?

Kalamashaka, Wu-Tang, Red & Methodman.

What’s your favorite album of all time?

Ready to die, Black out 1 & 2.

After being in the game for like 10yrs, how has your approach to making music changes?

I tend to self- educate  myself through reading books,  hence my lyrics  also have that intellectual side, also compared to the past where I used to write lyrics, nowadays I just listen to the track  and come up with like 4 bars,  than another  4 bars  and before you know it , the song is complete. 

The rap game has changed a lot in the last ten years, do you approve of what you see today as opposed to when you first started your career?

I  appreciate the change,  I don’t have the problem  with music artists  put out there whether it’s Genge or  any other genre of music as long as it’s good music, at the end of the day it’s all love.

Edu-Tainment (laughing) does it mean the album will have education and entertainment value?

Yep, the album will combine both entertainment and educational value, it will encompass both aspects.

How would you say this album is different from your previous releases?

First of all Labala will not feature on the album,  I have grown a lot since  our last album Tumesurvive Kila Vita. 

What is one thing  you want people  to understand about you as an artist and also, what do you want people to take away from  your upcoming  album ?

Basically the album will be the reflection of the title “ Usini- Judge”, in other words I’m doing my thing.

You’ve been in the game for more than a minute, are you involved with any side  businesses outside being an mc ?

I’m involved in various business ventures including running a cologne shop, designing aquariums and other businesses on the same spectrum.

Not sure if anyone has ever asked you this, but what would be Agano doing right now, if he never became a rapper?

 I would be a  Businessman.

What can Agano supporters expect with your debut album?

Expect a frank album,  I know some people will consider me  a snitch , but  if addressing the system  vices will earn me the title of a snitch I don’t care,  at the end of the day “ sisi ndio kioo cha jamii”, there will be no  water down stuff, people should  also expect grown up music, “Muziki imeenda shule”,  (laughing)  in other words Edu- Tainment. This album the lyrics are more mature, much better and well written and also the design is more enhanced.

With the likes of Octopizzo, Rabbit dominating the airwaves, do you feel threatened that your album might get lukewarm reception ?

(Assertive) Every dog has it’s day there  was a time when we were dominating the airwaves, It’s their day and  I have nothing  but love for them no jealousy tendencies, it’s all love, But do not expect me to change with the times to fit at the end of the day it’s my thing and I will not compromise or  let people’s  perception affect me. You  know some artists  try to change with the times  just to fit  in the process they compromise  originality, but  I’ll be true to me.

As far as music goes, where do you see yourself 5 yrs from now?

Every year I’m planning to be dropping a new album, outside music five years from now my business venture  will be more expanded, I’ll probably  be having kids (laughing).

(Laughing ) a  follow up to the previous question is Agano  seeing someone?

Agano is very much single, looking for the right  one (jokingly)  if you are out there  I’m looking for you my Cleopatra you better hurry.

 Will the album  feature any artists?

 The album features Roba of K-shaka, Cedric  of Tpf 1, Judge (Black duo) and other artists, thus the album will be diversified “ yaani iko na flavor zote”,  but  I would like to assure my fans that the album will be still real , the album will also portray the real Agano,  you know some people have the perception that  I’m all street and hardcore, but the album has deep tracks, tracks that  showcase the  sentimental side of Agano and to all my street fans  there’s also something for you , in other words the album is all round, but all in all it’s still real.

When is the album expected to hit the street ?

December, but  as for now the pre-album is out it features 6 tracks, the pre-album  goes for around 200, for more information you can reach me on face book or twitter.

When you and Labala released Tumesurvive  Kila Vita, you were an household name, but one thing that stands out about you is that you didn’t let the status  get into your head, you were still a humble down to earth guy, what made you not to follow the direction  most artists follow as in being carried away  by their star status?

First of all I’m human and we’re all equal before God, it doesn’t matter if you are a star or an ordinary  person in the eyes of God there’s no one superior and I also believe it’s good to give back the much love you get, leave the status behind be human  and down to earth. You know personally  I usually don’t let  star status  define me, coz the star is not the real Agano it’s the image and I prefer people  knowing me as a person  devoid of the  status, so when we meet in streets feel free  to holler  and get to know the real Agano.

Closing Remarks?

If you want something  go get it, be a go getter, Always think positive and be happy coz life is too short and don’t die if you haven’t accomplished what you want in life.