We had the good fortune of connecting with Catherine “Cwezy” Obanda and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Catherine “Cwezy”, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I just needed control over my time and money plus ideas are constantly flowing in me. We grow up in a system telling us what to do and how to do it. Right from childhood, through school, and into adulthood. It’s like an infinite loop of waking up, suffering, and sleeping. It gets monotonous and we get drained especially if you’re in a career you’re not enthusiastic about. Not everyone has the strength and patience to sustain a 9 to 5. Dreamers and adventurous people like myself who enjoy some diversity in experiences may not fit well in a confined system. We love freedom and a sense of spice to life.
Today I could be interested in product design, tomorrow I may feel like I could create the next AI marvel and that’s the beauty of starting a business. You create something and it could sustain you for years if not a lifetime! Every day you have the opportunity to diversify your business and incorporate new ideas using your own strategic plans and meet targets at your own pace. No external pressure, just steady growth. Creativity isn’t also limited to “company policies” and you can extend this freedom to those you’ve hired or work with to dream and incorporate your magic in what you do.
Entrepreneurship may sound expensive and daring but think of it as a learning process that’s uncertain but very fulfilling. It’s a risk, yes but that 20% chance is better than nothing. On the bright side, imagine working remotely, choosing your leave days independently, early paydays, unexpected bonuses, and for the lucky few, A LEGACY. Aggressiveness, dedication, and passion is the drive you need to turn your business into a monster and reap more than you could have ever imagined. It just needs a little more faith.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Perhaps you’ve heard about Cwezy, the musical artist behind the song “Rihanna”, or maybe you’ve not but here you are. I am the creative entrepreneur behind CWEZY MUSIC. My specialty is ghost music production and songwriting but I extend my knowledge to other independent artists through music business consulting. However, I am studying audio engineering so in a couple of months that will be added onto my portfolio. I’m also a web developer among other great things.
To pursue a career in music was a dream come true because it has always been my passion. I have grown up inventing and working on analytical projects, I build and design from scripts and code but with art, the possibilities are infinite. I feel unstoppable! There are no limits as to what one can create and you get to express oneself in ways beyond what’s considered normal or ordinary. The sense of uniqueness comes naturally because, for the true creative, ideas are free-flowing. There could be influence or inspiration that results in some similarities with the next artist but each expression, to some extent, holds a personalized touch. I can create from within as well as mirror from what’s around. It’s really a magical process turning any type of feeling into a melodic creation that results into a memorable song. Tell me that’s not sorcery!
2020 was the beginning of something grand because I laid a solid foundation for my musical art. Most of the songs I created were sold in a bid to raise funds to invest in my business but this year will be a good year for personal projects. Though there have been lots of challenges, I am grateful to be ahead of things despite the global pandemic.
Making music sounds easy but only if you’ve got the resources and funds to make it happen. I am lucky because I’ve been able to make it work with what I’ve got. The team I once relied on had no solid vision so I detached and realigned. Honestly, sometimes I felt like giving up because it’s never easy being a one-man team and watching doors get shut right at your face; but when you surround yourself with people who share the same vision and focus on creating new doors, it gets better.
That’s why Women Creatives Kenya (WOCKE) is a great initiative. I am in the final stages of having WOCKE a reality to help women/womxn creatives in Kenya. It will be a family where we help each other blossom in the creative industry. Founding this project will help me inspire more Kenyan women/womxn into the arts by sharing opportunities to help them expand globally. The music industry is bigger than your city. Sometimes your biggest supporters aren’t even in your continent! I didn’t rush things to ensure it is well structured and registered. Currently, I have a board of 10 people who are helping bring this vision to life. We are set to officially launch on 31st December 2021 if everything goes according to plan.
Not all creatives have the same vision and may choose to pursue art as a passion rather than a career. I try to balance both because exposure doesn’t pay for a house with an ocean view. It doesn’t pay for healthcare nor does it put food on the table. You could be famous and broke yet not so popular but financially blessed. Some are blessed with both fame and money but like I said, it all comes down to personal preferences. Too much attention sometimes sparks up anxiety because there’s pressure to maintain an “image”, not me… I’m unapologetically whoever I feel like. Cwezy is a lifestyle. The way I talk, the way I dress, the way I express myself is the persona I have embodied.
My takeaway for anyone reading this. Sometimes we set targets that may be hard to reach and when we don’t successfully meet these targets, we tend to fall into a dark spiral mentally. There have been days when I’d make five full songs in a day and days I doubted my art and didn’t feel the need to create anything so I’d just simply “exist” and that’s ok because life is always happening. Maybe you need to pause and reflect so you come out better. If you are a creative reading this or if you are an entrepreneur working on your business, don’t beat yourself up as there’s only so much you can do. Set small targets that will make you grow gradually because your “competitor” isn’t your business. You’re consumer is. FOCUS!
Oh, before I forget, I’d like to increase my Spotify reach and your support will be much appreciated. Do follow and share!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Nairobi, where I’m currently residing is full of amazing things to do. A perfect day in Nairobi starts off with a hearty meal. My go-to place for breakfast has to be Barista & Co. Aside from having the best coffee in town, their breakfast mezzo for two would be the best start for the day. Right after breakfast before noon, we would head off to David Shirtliffe to watch some elephants, who doesn’t love those big beautiful creatures? Plus whatever money is spent there goes to the fund that rescues and raises the orphaned elephants.
You can’t visit Nairobi without trying out nyama choma. If you visit Nairobi and don’t eat nyama choma you can as well just say you never came! Nyama choma is grilled meat, served with ugali, mixed salad (kachumbari as locals call it), and a cold Tusker (Kenyan beer brand). The best place for that is Njugunas along Waiyaki way, even thinking about it makes me hungry.
After such a brilliantly spent day it only makes sense to end it in style. What other way to end a day than with great music and company. I don’t like overcrowded clubs and prefer chill events where you can catch up with friends without struggling to hear what the next person is saying. Unless it’s a night out where music and vibes are the captains. There are amazing spots to catch the Nairobi skyline aside from the famous KICC. Sarabi rooftop or Sky bar is my go-to place for that. As for happy hour, Tapas Riverside is an amazing spot though don’t expect any crazy music.
On the other days we would go bowling at Pins Entertainment, skating in Loresho, a breakfast picnic at Ngong Hills as we catch the sunrise, a chill at the music studio, a sushi date at INTI – A Nikkei Experience, a nature walk at Karura Forest, lunch date for the best bhajia at Diamond Plaza, Giraffe center and snake Park tour, sunset at view point, gp carting in Karen, evening swim at Hilton Garden Inn, charity drive with the cwezy foundation team, early morning guided yoga at Arboretum, game night at my place, A rock night at the blues restaurant in the central business district, and a chill to meet my friends. If malls are part of the plan then the Village Market is my preferred choice.
For a creative adrenaline rush, there are plenty of open mic venues, art galleries, and theatres in the city. Such venues include the circle art gallery, The pawa 254, Kuona art gallery, K1 club house, The Alchemyst, Alliance Francaise, and many more! These spots seem to always have something going on.
I also enjoy out-of-town escapades, exploring Airbnbs, and having some intimate experiences alone or with my close friends. Meeting new people, new faces when adventuring on my own is always a vibe. My current destination of choice is Kilifi, a coastal town in Kenya.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people that I’d love to credit especially my supporters, my friends, and close family. They have always cheered me on even when I had doubts. Creating a safe space to express myself and be who I am unapologetically. I appreciate your encouragement and love.
I’d also like to extend the appreciation to Bold Network Africa for appointing me to be their head of Creatives department. They are creating a BOLD space for liberal professionals in Africa to grow and network regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, and religion.
Website: https://www.cwezy.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcwezy
Linkedin: https://ke.linkedin.com/in/catherineobanda
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwezymusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwezymusic
Youtube: https://www.smarturl.it/cwezyyoutube
Other: Support: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cwezy