OCTOPIZZO OPENS UP ON 2027 POLITICS, GEORGE RUTO, KIBERA MP BID & NEW ALBUM IBRAHYMN LINDA MWANANCHI

back to my relationship with GKE is a very good friend of mine. Hey yo, what's up? This is Antonio Soul. Today I'm standing in for the one and only Silver Kido on SPM bus bars and I am one of the happiest people in Nairobi because I'm at the US Embassy residence and guess who I just met? the guy, the gentleman, the superstar, the rockstar with the number one album all over East Africa on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube. He's the only guy who, by the way, has actually done a proper AI vid music video. Ladies and gentlemen, sipping his shadon shadon from from the streets of Kirara doing Cha Shad. >> The one and only Octo in East Africa and Co, you know. >> Yes. Happy bro. my own guy. >> I'm really proud of you by the way. But also one of the things that is very coming out very clearly is that hard work really pays. >> So I mean by the way bro 3 years, four years for a long time. >> Actually this is my 18th year 208. >> Wow. >> So I would say uh hard work taking your time with your craft uh not chasing trends >> building something unique something like you could be proud of in your later ages. as an adult but it was that was a stage that I needed to also >> experience but mostly is just to grow has been beautiful >> but you also I'm not saying that you could switch but I feel like you could switch a lot and I and I think it's in a business sense in the sense that like When we think about the US Kenya partnership, you always know how to tap into what's hot, what's not, like what's happening. How do you how do you keep evolving like this? Octo uh I would say school. School has helped a lot. I've had a good relationship with the US embassy for a while too. I was there in schooling through this embassy I think in the area. Yes, >> I was one of the IVLP also student >> this has helped me to in our local language I've learned to adapt. >> Yeah. Like you go to a space you realize what kind of space am I in? And I think it's very important for artists cuz I feel some artists stay street for so long. >> Yeah. Street I think street what can we do? What can we do better that we not doing? How can we leave this place purposefully? Yeah. >> 18 years in the music industry is like a baby all the way to adulthood. Your music can vote. I mean, how do you keep yourself um so fresh to to young people? Cuz a lot of times when we release this music, of course, young people are the ones who going to stream and all that stuff. How do you en ensure that you still stay fresh, but also stay at the top of the charts cuz it's not easy at all? >> I'd say is you understand the culture. So, hip-hop in general is a culture. Uh so, there's there's elements that can still keep you fresh even when you are not doing music. >> So, and this comes to fashion. uh this come to just entrepreneurship. This come also to projects uh community. So it grows beyond do they getting to know me like last month. >> Yeah. >> Uh but either they heard their parents talking about it or they our path crossed in a different way. Our path crossed maybe through school through >> uh Vtop foundation. Most of the time we don't do them to funds. We do them to kids who are in school and now those kids are like >> 18. Yeah. They're saying, "Ah, this guy used to come to our school and give us sets." >> And so I've kept that um >> it's called momentum and freshness of every year. You have to have new fresh people that you inspire not only musically but in other ways. So music is just become something like ah who knew? >> Yeah. >> I think as we we get as we wind up how comes you don't age me. I'm very confused as to how is this possible serious. >> Anyway, as we conclude, we of course the talk of the town is about the Grammys. What do you think about the Grammys? If the Grammys is to be held here in Nairobi, do you feel like Kenya, we are ready? Do you feel like that's not even the question. Do you feel like the world is ready to see you on that global platform be like, who's this guy? Do you feel are they ready? >> I think they're late to be honest. Yeah. Yeah. If you ask me, they're very late. Uh Kenya has been in general from back in the days. Even before our era, we've had some of the best music. We have actually >> we're the ones who have made African music kind of a direction. Nigeria came and passed us, but Kenya was Kenya, you know. So, one, they're late. >> Two, uh I feel before even we get the Grammys, personally, I've been considered the Grammy three times. and I don't understand their criteria. So that's I'm very curious how they choose music cuz >> I'd say they don't have they don't understand the music culture in Africa in general. >> Uh I'm not a big supporter of when it's Grammy say Grammy Africa >> Grammy Latin. No I want to compete with Kendrick man cuz I know that's the level that I'm in. So if it's where they're putting Kendrick that's where they should be putting us. >> So you're saying >> I want house Grammys. >> Exactly. So, you're saying if >> if you nominate me best rap album, cuz I have the best rap album, >> let people decide. >> Let people decide that I'm the best rapper. Not in African >> Grammys, in Grammys in general. The way they choose Jay-Z album was the best album. I want we want that cuz that's where that's where we're putting our work to >> I would say. But even before we get there, I think personally us as Kenyans, the Grammys cannot help us at the moment. If you, if I'm being honest, it is just something that we will celebrate online for a few hours. >> But still, I was just talking to uh Silva Kido behind the scenes and he was talking about like this young man who just passed the other day, you know, RIP >> to stupid boy. Uh you know if our structures were working you only need one song bro in this in this country >> like gunman style that guy only had one song >> till today >> that boy only need one song you don't need to do this all albums if theruct he will be getting money >> if the structures were working there's there's uh Instagram there's there's leave alone even just online business there's YouTube there's and then now imagine how that song was played >> and The boy didn't make anything >> proper. >> So are we why are we running to the Grammys? We we need to take stairs. We can't be taking lift to everything. You know it's shiny at the top but in the bottom we are struggling. So first fix the structures. Let me know that if today I was to leave my catalog. My daughter should never ever be able to work cuz the structures are working. I should just be going checking like oh you have $50,000 from your streams. Oh you have $50,000 from this and when >> when poxy pressure started this man >> and we're still talking about it now. Now there's another generation after us. They're dying. >> Yeah. >> So I mean you've put up a very good question which makes me ask when you look back now at 80 I think I feel it's more than 18 years cuz I met you like 20 years ago. So when I look back at >> music when you look back at music >> do you then has it been worth it? Is this is this worth it? cuz you if you have to keep fighting, keep doing the same fight, the same advocacy. By the way, guys, man, do do you feel this is worth it? Does it make sense? >> It is totally worth it cuz I've never done anything besides music in my life. And I would say personally that I'm very very happy with what music has done to me. But from what music has done to me is only 50% of my of everything. I put my 200% to get 50% back >> but I I need if I put 1% I should get 1% back. If I put 100% I should get 100% back. But imagine if you're putting 200 just to get 50% back. So technically we depend on shows which is not the same way like Bob Kymore used to do it. RIP >> uh we depend on uh >> streaming. >> Streaming doesn't even you don't even >> we call the streaming economy. This is this is another question. >> If you stream my video from the US, >> I get paid more >> than a million people streaming my my music from Kenya. >> Yeah. >> So why why is it that stream if somebody from the US watch my video the the percentage is higher >> but in Kenya is like >> so a million views is useless on YouTube. >> Yeah. >> There's so many case studies. You can look all of these upcoming artisties with millions of views. They still live in the hood if it really paid. >> Yeah. So the only way we made money I personally say one I ventured into different businesses. I was in the fashion business. Uh I was not lucky cuz I don't believe in luck but I put in so much work that I got a lot of endorsement. I've worked with so many companies from phones to Coca-Cola to whatever. >> And this is where we made money. >> Yeah. >> We really never made money from streams. We blew up when Instagram was not even there. You had to be played on the beat. But see now there's all these technologies come but the money has not doubled up. >> Yeah. So the only thing that is exciting now that you get some a few dollars from YouTube >> but I don't feel it's like a change that big but the lifestyle hasn't changed. >> Yeah. >> So it looks it really glitters and then you know what they say all that glitters. >> It's not gold. >> Yeah. >> So it's a glittery but it it it works. I couldn't say that this industry is is bad. This industry is just has bad leaders. Yeah. The people music copyright what blame them whatever the leadership has not been good artist for years and many artists don't know how to say it straightforward like this. I think I'm too old to just hold on something cuz I think Yeah. So the question here I think and for you who's watching and even some octopus is asking at the end of the day is systems structures and standards. Where is the problem? >> What do you guys think is do you feel do you feel okay that when you stream your favorite artist when you stream a million times you're there post a million times but then he gets 10 bob. How do you feel as an artist? So we're asking you that question because then you have the say >> allow me to ask you a question. >> Yeah. Tell us about you know young kids from the hoods different hoods in Nairobi. >> Yeah >> we've seen coming from the hood as well. >> Yeah >> they're growing up. >> Yeah they've seen s from Kenya >> maybe >> what should they avoid maybe just to stay relevant and then for coming artists you want to >> what does he or she need maybe just to survive in the industry first and then second >> as you have a good relationship with GK. talk about relationship with GK and then your political ambition. It seems a new face >> a new change. >> Cool. So let's conclude with the last three questions. Two to three. >> Two to three. >> Two three. So the first one is HA movers and not necessarily them as a group but also the proliferation of like all these you know content creators doing big things and stuff but also coming from the hood. >> What what's your advice for them? Number one to even stay relevant >> but also use this opportunity to turn this into an income stream. Yeah. So, uh, one thing first, congratulations to them. Personally, haven't met them, but I have friends that know them. >> Uh, I think whatever they're doing, Kimcho and luckily, and I would say the power of the internet, >> what they should avoid is hype, maz, >> the hype business. There's a lot of hype business and there's a lot of cloud business. Get get your money. >> Yeah. You know, so guys. Are you guys making money? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, if if they're making money, I hope the most important thing they should get a good team. Not necessarily a manager. When people say like you need to get a manager. I don't think artist or creatives need managers. >> I don't think so. >> Me included. I don't think I've ever come on public and people say that's manager. I've had partners, business partners. I get they need a CEO. >> They need somebody who treated them as business. >> They need to realize the difference between the industry and the business. Those two those two things are very important because talent is there most of the time the business is not there. So those are those are key things that they need to get a good team when you're at a cachino they need to have a roll out and say this is what we're doing the next 6 months >> to do freestyle. >> Yeah cuz I know people who are started with who stayed freestyling and they're still freestyling. >> Yeah man >> until today. >> Cuz they couldn't see the business. >> Okay. uh they need to uh I would say what to make crazy because now people will be Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. 3 weeks. No, bro. Big up. Yes. Big up. Nikki is a true guy. So I think the same the same advice also goes to a good case study. I think the same example goes also to to upcoming artists. So I think then we end with um with your relationship with GK. Tell us more about that >> and what we expect from you in the future like what's up and most importantly 27 >> MP KRA like MP Langata. What's the story? Is it governor? What is the story? >> So, um I'm I'm running for the member of parliament. >> Yes. >> Of Kibbra. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Cuz this is where I grew and I think it's time to I've been serving this community musically >> as a private citizen >> uh through either my art >> and also through my organization. And I think there's some few things I've learned that organizations can't do. >> Yeah. organization can only do much. Yeah. But there's some things that you still has to be a legislator to pull those strings. >> So yeah, that is on to back to my relationship with GKE. George is a very good friend of mine. Yeah. From long way back. >> It feels like an oxymoron. You being his friend. >> Yeah. >> And we know who his dad is. >> And his dad, of course, not Linda Monanchi. How does that I I don't know, >> bro. So one uh let me try to explain to this first. I'm an independent person. >> Okay. >> I'm an independent thinker. >> Uh I'm Mr. Henry before Octopis. Okay. Me and George have known each other before his dad was president. Okay. Before his dad took that office. I've known him for around 10 years. Okay. Uh the projects we do together are community based. Okay. Cuz he doesn't hold a public office. So I don't see an issue. hypothetically. No. So my my my >> I can have an independent thinking uh and in politics there's no permanent enemy. enemy. Yes, you're clearly now I I can clearly see >> the politician in in Octo. >> There's no permanent enemy and this boy is not a politician. This man is my best friend and if me being friends with him can affect my political ambitions, >> then be it bro. >> Let me let me put you in a scenario here which is what I also want Kenyans to poll and tell us if it happens. If GK >> walks up to you and tells you, my dad has seen that you and I are really close and my dad is telling me he's going to give you 100 million shillings, a million dollars >> to drop out of the race >> and just, you know, like you're bringing so much momentum to >> drop a million dollars. What would OT do? Tell us in the comments. What would OT do? The answer is coming up shortly. >> But no, just to add on what wait. What would oto do >> so fast? I'm priceless. >> I'm priceless. >> I should have given you a beat. >> That beat your idea. >> You know I'm priceless and I've all money man. You know me man. >> Let me tell you this guy >> bro. >> This guy has suffered. >> I have suffered with this guy. me him and some other rappers mentioned going to look for >> to him telling me Java to end this guy suffered to him traveling flying all over I think it's very difficult for me for anyone to hate on OT all my friends know cuz I'm like you don't know Oto's story I don't care if OTO took money today and threw it in the air cuz I be like I know how he suffered so he deserves all the money you're making but still a million dollars >> a million I'm priceless. Uh I'm a man of values. I have my values and principle. I have a family and uh everything comes down to my >> integrity. >> Exactly. And my interest. So uh I don't want we should not be talking about somebody's dad. We should be talking about I've never met his dad. >> You know I've met him so many times. He came to visit me in my palatial home in >> which kind of friends visit you in Manga? That's a true friend. Okay. And people should differentiate between friendship and political stuff today. Let's say let me give you another hypothesis that what do you think I will step down for him? Would you how we are friendship probably will be running for do you think I'll step down? >> I don't think so. >> Me and Junior are friends. >> Me and Junior are friends. So friend George. >> Okay. So the final question if >> this wait I have to ask this question. I have to ask this question. >> We've seen debate online. Yeah. >> Yeah. Should artist should Yeah. Should artists do politics, >> bro? Politics >> and comedians, should they do politics or they just make us laugh? >> When we talk about art, artist art, art is a very broad thing. When art is broad. When you say art, can art, should artists be politicians? >> Yes. Why? Because politics is art. And if you don't if you don't do politics, politics will do you. >> Politics will do you. Politics is art. And an artist before he was an artist. So yeah, me I respect everybody's opinion, but I feel like he doesn't do research. That time we went back and forth on on Twitter and I was asking him question. Would you like me to answer him? So, everybody's allowed to talk about politics. Nobody's allowed to run. Everybody's allowed to support. >> Yeah. fans support. It is normal. Life moves is normal. But do your research before music cuz I don't know much about comedy and movies. But when you're talking about music, >> music is a spirit. It's not something to play with, man. We play music but don't play with music. >> That's it's a rap mic drop. So especially you have a strong opinionate. So 27 Seven after security. So, make sure Cut the pattern.