KANJI – African Recording Artist, Entrepreneur, World Changer
by: Marika
Kanji is a name that may not be too familiar to the western world, YET, but to Africa, Kanji represents - not only a man of extreme talent - but a creator, mentor, and innovator of culture shaping music that is becoming a positive movement in the lives of the African people and beyond.
This past February 2010, I had the divine privilege of meeting Kanji as I was recording for my own record in Los Angeles. Shortly after Kanji and I met and engaged in conversation, we discovered that we have similar goals and dreams in terms of creating music that changes people in a life giving way.
Kanji has been described as the “Kanye West” of Africa. I don’t mean in the 'egotistical kick Taylor Swift off the Video Music Awards stage' type way (lol), but as in the same sort of iconic, passionate, enthusiastic, music with a message way, that makes the world want to sit up, listen, and perhaps even go as far to change something in the world for the better.
A perfect example of this is in his debut track “Dream Again”. Kanji takes the brokenness and hurts of life, and urges people to dream again, and that the message is for everyone no matter what their circumstances or obstacles. One prominent line from the song brings it all to life when he states
“God never wastes pain, use what you’ve gone through to help others”. We can either be the victim in life or the victor, and through Kanji’s passionate lyrics you can believe that he truly is rooting for people to be victorious in life, and not be brought down to the point of giving up.
Kanji dreams big. Not only has Kanji released his own record titled “ Stories” but he has created Kijiji Records; a label that he uses as a vehicle to launch other artists, who also come under the same vision of filling the airwaves of the world with music that gives a message of life and hope. Although some would say that Kanji – who also is a leader at his church in Kenya – seems to carry more of a gospel message that might be limited to church, you know that through the opportunities that Kanji has had in performances, television, and media, that his influence goes well beyond the four walls of traditional church, and that his music truly is becoming the mainstream music culture in Africa.
I could go on and name all the amazing accolades behind the name Kanji, but I’ll leave that for you to Google and Facebook. If I could leave you with a thought of him, I would tell you that this man is destined for greatness far more than he has already achieved. He gives back, engages, and oozes a love that is inspired by heaven. His music is a product of his deep rooted faith, his dreams, and an admirable integrity that will allow him to be catapulted into the realm of responsible fame; all that will cause him to completely hold the title of being an artist, a prophet to the culture in this universal language we call music, and a true world changer. Check out more of Kanji at www.kijijirecords.com Facebook Fanpage: Kanji
Article written by MARIKA www.emertonrecords.com
