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Why Nviiri chose silence after leaving Sol Generation
Nviiri, the "Pombe Sigara" hit maker during his performance at Blankets and Wine's 'Kenyan Summer Season' which took place at Ngong Racecourse on December 22, 2019. PHOTO | THOMAS RAJULA
Songwriter Nviiri The Storyteller has opened up about why he has been musically quiet since leaving Sol Generation Records after five years. While his former colleague Bensoul, with whom he left the label at the same time, has remained active, releasing hits and playing shows, Nviiri has been missing in action.
It has been suggested that the departure of Sol Generation and the Sauti Sol band's decision to take a musical break has had a setback effect on him, as what was seen as his main support system in terms of his musical development is no longer in place.
However, Nviiri says that his musical silence was deliberate and hasn't been affected by leaving Sol Generation, which played an instrumental role in launching his career.
"There was no setback effect. After leaving (Sol Generation), I decided to take a break from music because I also had to build my structure and a team. But people should also understand that there is bound to be a change when you leave a label programme to become an independent artist," the Pombe, Sigara hitmaker explains.
Nviiri adds: "Again, I would like to urge other musicians that while you need to put out work, it's also important to remember to take a break. Try and live life; your mental health is just as important. There is more to life than being an artist. Take time and be with your family.
The singer also claimed that if an artist is relentlessly performing, it doesn't necessarily mean he or she is busy.
"It doesn't mean you're a star just because you're always doing shows. In many cases, it's the struggle for money that makes an artist do shows every other day. It's not so much fun that you're doing a show every night, it's because of financial problems. Financial problems make you do everything you know how to do."
