Sefa Gene- How My Resilience, Determination and Hard Work Paid off in My Music Career
SEFA GENE a career teacher, grew up in a family that loved music and be became part of the system. However he understood that to succeed in the industry, one had to be resilient, determined and strife for perfection. He shares his journey to SILAS NYAMWEYA.
I am Sefa Gene, I a secular musician currently staying in Nairobi, Doonholm. I am in a music group called Xtended Life Music. I liked music ever since I was born. From Migori, Isibania, Kuria that’s where I was born. I grew up in a family of people who liked music. Specifically, my father was a music lover, I used to interact with music every now and then and so music automatically became part of my life.
I began recording music officially four years ago but released my first song two years ago . It took me long to produce music because there were few things I had to learn and master, such as making beats, vocals etc. I wanted to perfect my skills before officially releasing my music to the audience.
I always believed that the best results can only be achieved through quality and so I had to take time on this. After recording a song, I could seek feedback friend friends and colleagues to see where to modify before actually releasing it, I had no hurry to release the song. This is why I said that I started recording early in my life but only started releasing my music two years ago. I believe that if you release a song that you yourself is comfortable with, then anybody else will be comfortable. Until today, I follow that trend and I believe that is why I have succeeded.
My first song to release was called “Kama Story” and the journey has been really an amazing one. I thank God that so far, I have gone on to record many songs that are really doing so well in my social media accounts. Among the songs, I cannot say there is one that is my preference over another, no, I like all my songs.
My kind of music is mostly African sound and it’s called alternative music. Alternative means a kind of music where all the elements are original. We make everything right from scratch.
I have gone though some bad experiences but what I like is the fact that many people have come to like and appreciate our music. It gives me fulfillment when I see people enjoying my music.
Losing my brother had the greatest impact on me emotionally and even mentally because he had been my support system all along. I had not gotten used to losing a close sibling; friend and someone had been my confidant.
The challenge I am facing currently is multi-tasking, considering I am a teacher. I would like to release more songs but I find myself limited on the time factor. Remember I have to do practice, marketing, distribution and other things for the music itself.
I am in a music group called Xtended life with my colleague Gombe Murphrey. The experience has been good, especially in terms of learning, growth, quality improvement etc and appreciation from audience.
Every song is unique on its own; however made in china has really done well.
Though I am not fully depended on music in terms of earnings, what I like is that I am exercising my talent and people are really appreciating what I do. Getting a chance to air my music story is truly a milestone I would not underestimate in my music career.
As a teacher, I appreciate the new education system which places focus on a learner’s talents and seek to nurture it. In this line, I am always eager to help students develop their music and dancing talents accordingly. I believe this would be really a good thing.
Sefa hopes to take his music career to the next level and soon, he and his team are releasing more music to the market. He promises his fans to keep following him and to expect more intriguing projects.
