‘Talent hauna’– Mejja opens up about his mother’s doubts before becoming a star

Genge Artiste Mejja has reflected on the early struggles that shaped his music career, revealing that even his own mother initially doubted his talent before he rose to become one of the country’s most celebrated artists.

Speaking in an interview posted on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the ‘Siaka’ hitmaker shared how rejection, self-belief and perseverance helped him navigate a difficult journey to success.

Mejja recalled spotting an advertisement offering upcoming artists a chance to record music for Ksh5,000. Eager to pursue his dream, he saved what he could before approaching his mother to help him raise the remaining amount.

“Nilimwambia, ‘Manze ningetaka uniongezee doo niende nikarecord, juu hiyo ngoma ilikuwa Ksh5,000.’ Manze aliniambia, ‘Ujinga yako ni kujielekea, talent hauna. Brother yako ndio anaweza rap,'” Mejja recalled.

He explained that his mother believed his brother was the one with musical talent and had a better chance of making it in the industry because she had never heard him perform.

“Namuelewa tu. Hata alikuwa hajawahi nisikia nikiimba,” he explained.

Despite the discouraging response, Mejja said he never abandoned his dream of becoming a musician.

Introvert chasing a dream

Looking back on his childhood, Mejja described himself as an extremely quiet and reserved person, saying very few people knew he had a passion for music.

“Nikigrow up nilikuwa mtu introvert mbaya. Hakuna mtu anaweza simama hapa aseme ‘Mejja used to rap.’ Nilikuwa mtu wa kunyamaza,” he recalled.

He said he often wrote lyrics in secret, with even his classmates unaware that he aspired to become a rapper.

One of the few people who discovered his talent was his school principal, who once caught him writing music instead of concentrating on schoolwork.

“Akaniuliza, ‘What are you doing?’ Nikamwambia, ‘Naandika muziki,’ nikamrapia,” Mejja recalled.

Rather than punishing him, the principal listened and allowed him to continue, an act of encouragement that has stayed with him over the years.

First performance ended in rejection

The road to success was not easy. Mejja admitted that one of his earliest performances ended with the audience booing him.

“Nilibooiwa,” he recalled.

He said the experience was particularly painful because he was still battling stage fright after growing up as an introvert, but it also motivated him to keep improving.

Beyond reflecting on his journey, Mejja also offered advice to aspiring creatives, urging them to recognise the value of their work.

According to the musician, receiving a call from a client or brand is proof that there is demand for what they offer.

“Kitu mtu unafuatilia, huwezi pigwa simu kama hakuna demand fulani iko mahali. Hakuna mtu anakuita hivyo tu,” he noted.

More Articles

---