Alikiba: Why I am the best

Ally Saleh Kiba alias Alikiba needs no introduction in this part of the sphere. A legendary bongo flava music pioneer with a career spanning 15 years.
Recently, Alikiba has been shuttling between Kenya and his home country Tanzania, performing and promoting his third studio album ‘Only One King’. SINDA MATIKO caught up with the ‘king’ in Nairobi.

What informed the title of you latest album ‘Only One King’?

There can only be one king at any given time. I have been doing music at the top most level for the last 18 years.

At some point in my career, I took a three-year hiatus from music to focus on personal issues and reflect.

I came back and still reclaimed my spot. Tell me how many artistes have you witnessed taking a long sabbatical and still manage to come back and reign? I hope I answered you.

Why did it take you 10 years to release this album?

I had been receiving many complaints from fans outside Tanzania, who felt like all I did was Bongo Flava music.

I felt I need to address that by collaborating with different African musicians like Khaligraph Jones, Patoranking from Nigeria, Sarkodie from Ghana among others to create a pan-African album. Definitely such an ambitious project takes a while to completion but I am glad we are here now.

You recently headlined a show in Naivasha alongside Harmonize who has been supporting you greatly since he ditched Wasafi Label. Do you guys interact?

Harmonize and I are not friends. We have never been friends. I can easily count the number of times we have actually met. But I respect what he does as a fellow musician putting Tanzanian music on top charts.

Just days after the Naivasha show, a picture of both of you seated together on flight emerged.

I was heading for a show in Mwanza from Dar es Salaam and Harmonize was on board the same plane.

Yes, we sat together, a picture of us was taken and then shared online. I don’t see any problem in that; it’s just a picture.

How was the show?

Oh boy! It was successful. I brought together a number of top artistes: Maua Sama, Abdu Kiba, Rich Mavoko and Otile (Brown) were all there. They brought the house down.

Talking of Rich Mavoko who also ditched Diamond’s Wasafi label, word is he has joined your label Kings Music?

(Laughs). You guys can’t stop asking this. My interaction with Rich goes way back. I have seen him start his career from scratch, struggle as he hustled his way up the ladder. At the time, I was also pushing my craft to the limits. We both had to fight for our spaces and reputation. I have always admired his resilience and it’s the reason I always feel obliged to support him in any way I can. He is an amazing human being.

How would you describe your relationship with Diamond Platnumz?

He is a Tanzanian patriot, like myself, and a fellow musician doing his best to put our music out there to the world.

Diamond recently launched his Wasafi betting firm, should we be expecting one from you as well?

Unfortunately, my religion (Islam) doesn’t allow any form of gambling. So no, it’s not a business venture I would consider. As for Diamond, I don’t know about his religious teachings.

Word has it that, the longstanding beef between both of you is all ‘fake’ only meant to create business opportunities for either sides?

I honestly wouldn’t want to comment on a subject I do not have closure to. I wouldn’t want to lie with an answer that is not certain because the next time I am asked that, I may end up saying something different and that would make me look bad.

Would you collaborate with Diamond on a song?

That would be pegged on agreements reached.

Why is it that we never see Amina Khalef supporting your craft?

My wife is always supporting me, but she prefers to do that privately. However, she is free to support any of my causes how best she sees it; be it publicly or privately.

Is it the reason she never graces your concerts?

I cannot say much about that as I would love to. But here is the thing, I am a very private person and I am not one to display my personal life to the public, more so when I am at work.

As we come to an end, what do you make of Eric Omondi’s crusade championing for less of foreign performances in Kenya but more of our own?

Here is what I think. Kenyans should have 50 percent of their content on air play as well as performances. The other 50 should be left to be scrambled for by foreigners.