What’s your stage name and where are you from?
My stage name is M. Rumbi, and I am from and based in Nairobi, Kenya. I also produce under the moniker theNairobiNomad and rap under City, one half of BasicCity.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
My stage name is actually my real name, M(ichael) Rumbi. I’ve always liked my name and wanted to include it in my artist name. I almost changed it to the phonetically correct pronunciation Rumbí, but I stuck with M. Rumbi.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
My musical journey has been interesting, eclectic, and humbling. I’ve explored various genres and styles, which has helped me grow both as a producer and an artist.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
I’m currently working on a new EP titled “Mambo ni machungu.” During one of the sessions, a vocalist commented that one of the tracks was “so sad,” which they repeated several times. This was a massive compliment because that’s exactly the vibe I was aiming for.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
I aim to convey softness, moments of sadness, and tenderness through my music. I believe these emotions are essential.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
One of the biggest challenges I face is being self-taught. I’ve had to learn everything from production to marketing without a mentor, which means there’s been a lot of trial and error. Sometimes, this leads to getting lost and circling back, but it’s helped me develop a unique path.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Locally, I would love to collaborate with Njoki Karu; I think the sonic overlap would be incredible! Internationally, I’m drawn to Kato Change, and I’d love to create something influenced by Hermanos Gutierrez.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
I feel like this is going to be a big year for me. I’ve been releasing a lot of music over the past two to three years, trying to see what resonates with people. I’m planning to release an EP, which I hope will help my music cross more boundaries and reach new ears and markets.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
The next big step for me is releasing my EP. I’ve been focusing on songwriting and production, but this time, I’ll be singing on the EP as well.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
You can hear my most recent work on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. I’m also active on Instagram, where I share updates about upcoming projects.
