Veteran Genge singer Jua Cali has continued to reminisce his early days as a musician, with the latest being details of his encounter with Egerton University students.
In a social media post, Jua Cali narrated how at one point during their early music careers, they were chased off stage together with Nonini, by displeased Egerton students.
The duo had been invited by Clemo to perform at the Njoro-based university when they had the encounter.
It was around 2001, Clemo was in Egerton and Jua Cali and Nonini were making baby steps in the entertainment industry.
“Tulifika ma usiku so tukaenda kwa mess tukadishi halafu Clemo na Arton (landlord) wakatupeleka kwa rooms tuka freshen up tukakue ready for show. Kumbuka hio time tulikua relatively new kwa industry but Clemo alikua amesambaza ma songs zetu kwa students kadha so kuna watu walikua familiar na songs zetu,” Jua Cali.
At around midnight, the duo hit the stage to entertain the students, but things quickly went south with the students displeased by their performance.
“Hio time mimi na Nonini tulikua the dynamic duo so tuliingia stage pamoja if my memory serves me right tulianza na song yangu RUKA kwa katikati ya performance sijui nini ilihappen kuna msee mmoja alitupa hizi plastic cups kwa stage all over sudden ma chupa zikaanza kufly mingi manze ma stude hawataki kuskiza tukiperform!! Kelele pia ilikua mob haungeskia ata ngoma ikiimba tukaona hapa ni noma ikabidi tuhepe stage. Kwa mind zetu tunajiambia weh!!! hii industry ya mziki ni noma hivi!” he added.
That was a nasty reception to the music industry, but Jua Cali says it did not dampen their resolve. Instead, they soldiered on and released songs that catapulted them to national fame.
He has urged artistes to learn from their experience if they are to last in the industry.
“We felt dejected but that incident did not stop us from pursuing our dreams. After a few years Calif records blew up we had no bad blood with Egerton they called us back for many events which we accepted went back and killed all of them. So kwa Artist wote!! kuna hurdles mob mutapitia starting off but most importantly keep your eyes on the prize and don’t give up,” Jua Cali concluded.
