Video summary
The video features an exclusive interview with Zuri Gashman B.I.G, a multifaceted gospel musician, artist, and music producer based in Kenya. The host introduces him by highlighting his unique name, which he explains is an abbreviation for "Man of God" with the initials standing for "Blessed Impact and Grow." As a devout churchgoer and worshipper, Zuri identifies as a vocalist, instrumentalist, and trainer who plays piano, drums, guitar, and keyboards. His primary passion lies in using music to connect with people, inspire them, and encourage spiritual growth, reflecting his deep commitment to faith through his artistry.
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the challenges facing upcoming artists in the Kenyan music industry, particularly regarding finances and platform support. Zuri notes that producing high-quality audio or video content can be expensive, often costing between 15,000 to 20,000 Kenyan shillings just for audio production, with additional costs for marketing and branding. He emphasizes that a major hurdle is the lack of support from fans and fellow artists, noting that many people prefer listening to foreign acts over local talent. He urges the audience to actively support their own creators by subscribing, streaming, and sharing music on platforms like Spotify, Boomplay, and Zee Music, arguing that this unity and appreciation are essential for the growth of the local industry.
Despite these obstacles, Zuri shares his personal journey of perseverance, tracing his musical roots back to Sunday school where he began learning instruments before eventually composing his own songs starting in 2020. He attributes his continued motivation to a strong sense of passion and trust in the process, even when facing long periods without immediate success. He advises aspiring artists not to forget their origins or give up, drawing inspiration from successful peers who started from humble beginnings. Additionally, he offers counsel to producers and business-minded artists about maintaining integrity, delivering quality work as promised, and remembering the original intention behind entering the industry.
The interview concludes with Zuri encouraging listeners to support his upcoming album, which features around thirteen songs, and inviting those interested in learning music production or composition to contact him directly. The host wraps up by praising Zuri's dedication and promising that listening to his music will bring blessings to the audience. Throughout the segment, there is a recurring theme of resilience, faith, and the importance of community support within the creative sector, leaving viewers with a message of hope and a call to action to uplift local talent.
Read the full video transcript
[music]
with another one.
>> It's on the beach.
>> From January to [music] December, my
success is already on the calendar. Time
to experience [music] my splendor.
Please God, show me love so tender.
Mental fitness [music] set for business.
Pray for quickness for
[music]
that lady. I've been gazing at that job.
I've been waiting for the money. [music]
I've been looking for the fame and
fortunes. I've been chasing for the sea.
[music]
>> [music]
[music]
>> I want to step up my game. Time to make
money with this music. Entertain. Let
go. Let god complain. This year I want
to step [music] up my game. This year
for the moment
[music]
>> this
reminds you about the fact that we are
about to end the year. How are the
resolutions?
We are getting to them and the song is
reminding us that this is our season.
Anyways, I'm not here alone. My good
name is Eliza Kim Karibu Sana. Yes,
Karibu Sana to the music and lifestyle
segment. And I'm here with Zurish Zuri
Gashman.
This song this name where anyways Miss
Tenant B I think I'll call him that.
It's easier than the previous uh name.
But yes, I'm here with him. He's the one
that we've gotten to listen to his
amazing song. So
how his morning is doing and how why he
decided to just decide to be called a
name that is very very difficult for me
to even pronounce. Good morning.
>> Good morning.
>> Hi.
>> I'm fine.
>> Uh-huh.
>> Thanks for having me here by the way.
>> You're welcome.
>> Yes. My name is Zuri Gashman. B I G.
Zuri Gashman. We all know it comes from
the word Zuri. Something that is good.
>> Mhm.
>> Bi is a short form of man of God.
>> I'm a church guy. him to a church
actually.
>> B means man of God. How
>> in reverse gash is the short form of
>> okay
>> gash man of God. BI
it's an abbreviation which means blessed
impact and grow. I love blessing people
through music impacting people
and then growth
spiritually.
Yeah. Wow. That's interesting. The fact
that she's carrying her vision, he is
carrying his vision on his name BMA
everything that he's going to be doing.
That's in interesting. So, um I'm
excited to hear that pastor speaking
about love and marriage. And again, we
now have another born again person
today. My days is going to be amazing.
Yeah. So, why um did you decide to do
the gospel music? Most of the times most
people
but you you've decided to just stick and
sing these kinds of songs. So why why
did you decide to do that?
>> Actually me my talent Iania church.
>> Mhm.
>> Zuri Gashman is a is a is a gospel
musician and artist a worshipper an
instrumentalist. a vocalist and a music
trainer. I play piano, I play drum sets,
guitar, kiasi. I also do music
production. My passion actually is to to
connect with people to inspire to to
inspire and encourage people through
music.
More into vocalizing.
Yeah, that's where I started. I studied
in church.
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
Um what would you say makes people start
in church but then at some point
because you you've decided to still
stick till now. So what is it that you
think brings the change uh maybe in
their mindset or what is the factor
behind people who start in church like
you but they get to a point and they
decide to divert
>> me I'll say intentions
>> okay
yes he wants to be an artist but equally
double mindset
people have double mindset
So,
okay, we've seen situations like that
prominent artist
>> and then all of a sudden a shift. It's
because
for me I can say is intention.
>> Okay.
>> Yes.
>> Now, uh let's dive into your journey.
You've said that you started playing
Palis Sunday school in church and um
that's when you decided that you wanted
to do music and the fact that you play
so many instruments also speaks a lot
because I know it needs training, it
needs time, it needs experience for you
to be able to play more than one
instrument. Um but now tell us when was
that moment. It's okay you used to sing.
When was that moment that you decided
that you could do your own songs? You
could be your own personal um artist.
Mhm. So me I started I started learning
from people
let's say like I don't know if you know
him is a gospel rapper he was
rap so I used to listen to him
and then
I really want to start composing my own
songs
after that
record my own songs.
>> I went I recorded my first song
abilities of which it's on YouTube. You
can go and check it out.
>> Okay. Yes.
And that's reached this song this year.
It talks about it's a declaration
actually I released it on January
>> so my
listening to other people sing
the likes of
the TBT artist
and it really shaped my music. Those are
the people
>> and it shaped my music compos my own my
own music.
>> Yes.
>> Now when we think about writing your own
songs or composing your own songs like
you put it there's that idea that comes
and you're like okay like this song
today I'm going to write about this ear
I'm speaking blessings over my ear. So I
want you to tell us for different kinds
of songs how do you get your ideas
before you get to a point of oh I think
I can write about this or oh let me try
this. So where do you uh get your ideas
from? For me first of all it starts with
verses
actually I write more I write more than
I don't use instrumentals
me I write
like this song20
I write I write
like for example Example, the guy
interview was talking about marriage.
Even songs about marriage
like declaration is something on 31st.
The pastor he was declaring that year
and then the inspiration came this year
and then
2020.
Yeah.
>> Wow. Interesting. Um it's it's also good
when you mention that you had written a
song in 2020 meta 2026 and you think
about waiting for a whole six years
without giving up without seeing as if
>> this is not going to work um without
feeling like I are you sure this is what
I really want to do. What keeps you
going? Because I think um that is
>> being so hopeful
>> and like trusting the process in a big
way. What keeps you motivated?
>> Okay, for me I can say it's passion. I
have the love music because I do play
I really feel sometimes
but the passion for music
I really need to continue. I really need
to keep on writing songs one day
for me. I can say it's passion. M
>> I can say I'm I'm an artist who is
passionate on what he he's doing.
>> Yes.
>> Now when you say that let's look at um
the secular music and the gospel music
>> most of the times I see collabos between
secular artists
in a hana
but when it comes to the Christian or
rather the gospel music at some point
you feel like a togetherness at some
point. So for you as an artist, what do
you think is lacking? What do you think
is the missing link when it comes to uh
to that?
>> Okay. Love. Okay. Togetherness. Yes. Is
something we really need to ask to work
on as gospel artists. Yes. Y experience
by the way of which the circular artist
they do have that they have the unity
the togetherness.
Okay. church they start careful. We
always have
bad image about churched
everywhere. So we are that careful
something like that. So for me I can say
we really need to work on the together
the togetherness the unity we create our
own circle
united. Yes.
>> Yeah.
>> And how do you think um artists should
support one another especially here in
Kenya generally um for the in the music
industry because I've seen Nigerian um
artists one of whom are both the gospel
and the secular as well.
How do we support our own artists? Our
own Kenyan artist
Nigeria like where what's the missing
link
>> for me? I can say we really need to
start first of all loving our own.
I've seen this thing in Kenya
experience. We love
bashing our own to support. We have many
artists in Kenya.
Even people who are more talented than
me. I'm a producer. I've seen it. But
Kenya want to support outsiders more
than
>> their own
>> their own to not to not discriminate our
own of which is not good and we have
more talents so that's something we
really need to work on as Kenyans
because talent talent
and I'm not talking about music alone
even in other fields talent but we we
really need to start appreciating what
we have because Nigeria they
appreciating their own up to a to
recognize
support of which it can happen the same
way. We need to support our own.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. That's interesting because um I
feel like like you're saying it's true.
We should support our own subscribing,
sharing, liking, commenting to the songs
of our very own people.
You're not even you don't even want to
listen to it. You've not even listened
to it. Actually,
that's one of the things in that's one
of the thing in a discourage so many
artists want to give up.
That's one thing.
It really discou.
So we really need to encourage our own
because
you that's the least thing we are we
asking as artists support us by
subscribing liking even streaming.
>> Yeah.
>> Interesting. So um in the same spirit I
want you to tell us about some of the
challenges that you've seen as an
artist. Um especially you are in a
better position to tell us because you
are you've said you're a producer as
well. So what are some of the challenges
that upcoming artists are facing in the
industry today?
>> I'll start with finances. Finances is
one of the things upcoming artist want
to face.
>> As I have said
like a production a proper a quality
production it can cost
15 to 20k
video it's even
>> the audio only
>> that's the audio only
which is more expensive
>> marketing
even branding all that all those things
so I can say those are the things
upcoming artist want to face even
distributing the music from
Spotify. Finances is one of the things.
The second thing is support from people,
you know, putting it as a fan page.
I take a lot of
just watch my my my song, view, go
subscribe.
>> It takes a lot of that of it. That's one
challenge is the one challenge artist.
>> The second one is platforms. Platforms
big artist
like headliners
so platforms
finances
those I can say those are the challenges
we face as artist upcoming artists.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. That's that's interesting. Uh but
the fact that challenges are there and
you're still holding on to it, you're
still saying um there's no room for
giving up. We're still going to do this
until it works out. Uh is very
encouraging and it's very great to just
see that no matter what happens, you
still hear.
It's a very nice song, guys.
Don't worry, we played it. He's going to
tell us where we can find those songs so
that you go and uh listen to it. It's a
very uh amazing song for you to to
remind you that this year was blessed
already.
>> Yes. So I wanted to encourage someone
probably an artist
like hey man I don't think this is
something I really would do. I don't
think um at some point I'm going to do
this but now I want you to take that
this opportunity and encourage someone
when I feel like they wanted to give up
but yes with the example of from 2020
writing a song and 2026 producing your
worth um encouraging someone
>> I can say if you are there
for me I can tell you don't forget
actually
don't forget where you started Mhm.
>> Because
those songs which you have already
recorded
trust the process just be passionate
that's
because if we see people like
the big artist we have in Kenya they
started from somewhere
>> they never gave up
to a point. So for me I can say if you
have already started continue trust the
process.
Yes.
>> Now I want you to also speak to
the cries of so many artists.
There are so such kinds of stories. But
for you as a producer and as a born
again Christian I I want to believe that
you're not like them and you're not
doing what those people do. So I want
you to advice or speak to them.
as artists. So be lenient to some of
these artists. So speak to a producer
that is watching and maybe
finally.
>> Okay. For me, I can say you decided
you need to have the right intentions
because that's a business. a business.
You really need to be faithful to those
clients.
>> You need based on how you have packaged
yourself. Please deliver
15K.
Yes. just deliver quality based on how
display
>> yes
>> okay great yes at the end of the day
know remember why you started this
business remember why you decided that
you wanted to do that that is what BI is
telling us so I want to give you this
opportunity maybe to say your last
remarks as we get to wind up anything
that you feel like
So go ahead. Um, say whatever it is that
you would like to say. Also, if you have
anyone that you would like to say hi to,
this is your chance to do that.
>> Okay. Gash mana starting with an N Z U R
I G A S H M A N B I G. Yeah, me.
I really want to encourage you guys go
support me by subscribing, commenting,
streaming on all social media platforms,
Spotify boom play is platform Z, you can
go check it out. Also, I'm a I'm a music
trainer. If you're out there, you want
to learn how to sing, how to compose
your own music, you want to learn how
to, you want music production, yeah, you
can contact me at Zuri Gashandbig or I
can even give you my number which is
0742
463799.
Go support
my music. I have an album which is
coming
which is almost like 13 songs which
please just support support. Yeah,
that's all I can say at this time.
>> All right. Um
so make sure that you go like subscribe
share his songs. I promise you you're
going to be blessed. That is the first
song that we've gotten to listen to and
it was amazing. Looking forward to
listen to the others. Yes. listen to and
he's on all platforms so you have no
reason whatsoever to not get to listen
to their songs. Okay. Yes. Make sure
that you do that. Thank you so much B.
For coming and we are appreciate. Keep
doing the good job. Keep being the best
producer out there and
our clients are going to come to you and
you're going to deliver and that's how
you build your brand. So yes, keep h
keeping up, keep doing the good job and
we are very excited to have you today.
I'm really honored
>> to have him here.
>> I'm taking a very short break, my guys.
Okay, very short and short means short.
Okay. Yes, before you notice it, I'll be
back here with the last segment of the
day. My good name is Eliza Kimmani. Stay
with us Mahal because I am coming back.
[music]
for
the
>> she loves me but she plays the game
pretend.
She wants my attention but she plays
hard [music] to get.
She plays hide and seek for me to chase.
[music]
She giggles blush [singing]
when I call her base.
I single but she lies [music] that she's
dating. She's feeling the G because
she's faking. She's in love but she's
waiting [music] for me to see. She's my
secret lover. She's my secret lover.
She's so into me. She's been training
them.