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Not even language barrier can stop her

Singing her soul out: Dela Maranga at one of the Coke Studio sessions  

What you need to know:

  • Dela is on coke studio, a programme that features artistes from across Africa

She studied architecture at Nairobi University but instead of pursuing a career in her field of study, Dela Maranga opted to follow her passion to do music. She is part of the Coke Studio project where she combines with Ugandan band Qwela.

How would you describe your music?

I would describe my music as Afro Soul which is soul music with African elements such as guitar riffs, African rhythms and drums etc.

How did your music career begin?

When I was a kid I used to sing in the school and church choir. After high school I started singing back-up vocals for different bands.  I sang for artistes like Achieng Abura, Villagers Band, Wahu, Stan and so many others. Later, I decided to go solo because I had started to create my own music. So there was one day when Stan was having a show and I asked him if I could perform some of my own music. Someone from a record label happened to be there and saw my performance. They liked my music and called me for a meeting so that’s how I got signed and recorded my first album in 2010.

How did your parents feel about your change in direction?

They support my career the way any parent would support their child but, they were also very adamant that I finish school and get my degree. By the time I started my degree, I had also started to pursue music and I didn’t want to leave school half way. So I finished school while at the same time doing my music. Now, I just concentrate on music.

What has your biggest achievement been to date?

I think getting an album released during the first year of my solo career was an achievement for me, especially in such a competitive industry in Kenya. A lot of artistes here pursue music for several years, but all they do is release singles. Besides this, I also got nominated for a Kisima Award in 2010. There’s more music coming so I hope to gain more in terms of awards.

What is your message to up and coming musicians?

Stay true to yourself and don’t try to be like anyone else. It’s understandable to admire another artiste and they can inspire you and influence your musical taste but, you should not try to duplicate what someone else is doing.

They are who they are, and you can only be you. So, just stay true to yourself because that is what your fans will identify with – your uniqueness, and the honesty and sincerity of your music.

What inspires your music?

Everything inspires my music. Everyday life experiences, both mine and other people’s – like what I see going on around me. Love, life, social issues, the good and the bad, and Nairobi also inspires me. Those are basically the themes I write about in my music.

Had you met Qwela before working with them on Coke Studio?

I actually hadn’t met Qwela in person prior to Coke Studio, but I saw them once when they came to perform in Nairobi and I had also heard a couple of their songs online. So I had a feel of what they do. I like their music and completely understand why they are the top band in Uganda at the moment. When I was asked to come and work with them on Coke Studio, I was really excited. They are really good at what they do.

Which song are you working on with them?

The song we are working on together is called Njabala, which is basically a name of a girl. It’s a wedding song and was traditionally sung by the Baganda during wedding ceremonies. What we wanted to do was contemporize it, make it more modern and add a little soul to it. We wanted to create a fusion that is completely unexpected. I got to write a verse in Swahili for the track which was cool.

How was it working with Qwela?

Qwela are awesome and are so much fun. They are very easy to work with and open to ideas so there was a really good atmosphere or energy. I’ve learnt a lot about the culture of the Baganda  and how they do things so it’s been a great experience working with them. I can’t wait to see the final product. I think it will be really fantastic.

What do you think of Coke Studio?

I’ve really enjoyed working on Coke Studio. I got the chance to meet people that I probably never would have met or even thought of collaborating with. I met artistes from Uganda, Nigeria and others from Kenya, and I really hope that more of this happens. Coke Studio sort of brings Africa together through music and I think it’s a really cool idea.