Gombe Friedrick- I Don’t Sing for Money but out of Passion

FREDRICK GOMBE a high school teacherfinds solace through music which he does with a lot of passion during his free time. He narrates his experiences, journey and lessons learnt so far to SILAS NYAMWEYA.

My name is Gombe Fredrick, but in the music world, I go by Mafriea name I’ve drawn from Fredrik. I live in Eastleigh, Nairobi, and I have a family that keeps me grounded. Music has always been part of me; from the time I was very young. Even before I could fully understand it, I was already dreaming about it. I’d sleep thinking about music and wake up with melodies in my head. It’s never left me since.

I started pursuing music seriously while in campus, during my second year. There were so many events and concerts, including the well-known Extravaganza. That was the turning point for me. I wanted to be recognizednot for fame, but because I knew music was my purpose. Luckily, one of the producers noticed my passion and was willing to work with me. That moment gave me the hope I needed.

Campus life wasn’t easy. Balancing studies, personal struggles, and music was not a small task. But I kept pushing. I’m always striving to shine through my music because it’s where I truly feel alive. However, music isn’t the only thing I do. Life has its ups and downs, and to support myself and my family, I do small businesses here and there. One of them is milk vendingit’s honest work, and it keeps me going when the music isn’t bringing in money yet.

I’ve made sure to put my songs on all streaming platforms because it’s important for people to hear what I have to say through music. I’m not chasing money, though I hope someday it can come. What matters most is that people listen. Music is for the heart, and if my songs touch someone’s soul, then I’ve already succeeded.

Together with a few friends, we formed a group called Xtended Life. The name comes from our belief that the music we make should be of a high standard. We’ve already recorded several tracks and have more coming soon. Our dream is simple—we want people, especially here in Kenya, to give us a chance. We want them to listen, support, and believe in our sound before it reaches the world.

One of the biggest challenges we face is resources. Shooting a music video is expensive. Directors, makeup artists, editors—they all need to be paid. Sometimes, we have to cancel shoots because the money just isn’t there. It hurts when you’ve planned everything, but you can’t move forward because of finances. But even then, we don’t give up. We keep going, little by little, doing what we can with what we have.

I always say this—nothing is impossible if your heart is in it. I’ve seen people rise from nowhere to greatness, and that reminds me to keep believing. I thank God for every step, every opportunity, and even the small wins. Gratitude makes the journey worth it.

One unforgettable moment in my journey happened during a shoot in Migori County. We had a makeup artist join us, but things turned dramatic when her fiancé showed up unexpectedly. Apparently, she hadn’t told him about the shoot, and it caused so much distraction on set. It was stressful, but somehow, we made it through.

You can find Xtended Life on all social media platforms—TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. We have more songs coming, and we’re bringing a fresh sound—something new, something different. We don’t want to stick to just one vibe, because music should evolve.

All we ask is for your support. Listen, share, tell someone about our music. That alone gives us the strength to keep going. As for me, I’ll say it again—I love music, and music lives in me.