“I waited too long to follow my passion and I am done waiting,” Gabriel Kakuru, known by his stage name Gabriel K, shares the inspiration behind his debut album ‘Done Waiting’. The 43-year-old R&B/Soul singer-songwriter has since completed ‘Love Ocean’, his second album, a 17-track-masterpiece that’s getting rave reviews.
Rave reviews aside, Gabriel K is on a greater mission. He left a successful career in media to follow his passion. “The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers,,” he shares on his website. In this chat with Satisfashion UG he tells us that he’s just a freak for love who’s trying to communicate a message that resonates with his audience.
What’s your backstory?
I was born in a family of 12 (6 boys and 6 girls). It has always been a busy family life. I am a graduate with a first-class degree in a Psychology major but opted to go into the advertising business. I run an advertising firm called Brand Active.
At what point in your life did you fall in love in music? And why?
I was always the choirmaster for the 12 siblings as we entertained visitors at home. That’s as far as I can remember. Professionally I have been doing this since 2018. That’s when I first went into a recording studio.
Almost all your music is about everlasting love. Why is this important to you?
Haha! To be fair almost all music is about love for something. But yes, I am a freak for love. I communicate a message that resonates with my audience. So I try as much as possible to be a voice for your partner. In songs like ‘Not Ready For Goodbye’, ‘Easy To Love’ or ‘We Just Want Love’ every single word is based on personal experiences.
How much (or little) of your personal experiences in love contributes to your music? And how?
For songs that I write myself it’s so personal. Songs that I get from songwriters are usually their experiences but I still pick those that resonate with me.
In songs like ‘Not Ready For Goodbye’, ‘Easy To Love’ or ‘We Just Want Love’ every single word is based on personal experiences. I don’t do kidandali songs because my life hasn’t had the related drama.
You left a great career on TV and radio to pursue music. What did you learn from that?
The career in TV and radio was simply an amazing experience. These though, were just jobs and not what I was passionate about. I started working in TV at university so as to earn to pay for my tuition. Later on, I went into advertising which again is a business to make ends meet. This took me off the course of music for many years. With the accumulated experiences in media and business, I run my music on similar approaches. Though I am guilty of letting the fun override the need to make money out of it.
You just wrapped all the visuals for the ‘Love Ocean’ album. That’s a whole lot of music videos, something that’s uncommon in this market. What was the thinking behind it?
In the era of social media and digital media in general, you can hardly move a song without a video. People are Looking at things and not just hearing them. Honestly, there is little choice. You just have to do it. The downside is that videos are pretty expensive. While I would love to do them for every single song I do, unfortunately I have to pick and choose. About them being a lot of videos, that’s how much music I have put out.
How was the experience like for you making this happen?
In making the videos? Oh, that is always a movie! Exciting but very hard work goes into it. I have met amazing people along the way. My experience as a TV producer has helped as I am particular on concepts and execution.
My personal favourites are ‘What is Love’ & ‘Like Your Dance’. I also deeply connect with the lyrics of ‘We Just Want Love’. What are your favourite songs on the project? And why?
It might sound cliché but all of them are my best. But seriously, yes, I have a favourite… You need to listen to ‘It’s Okay’. You will fall in love with the lyrics. This was written by Former Tusker Project fame winner, Esther Nabaasa. An awesome part of my music.
The visuals. Every single video has a mind-blowing storyline. I enjoyed the storyline in ‘See You Dance’. Which videos did you enjoy the most shooting? And why?
Thank you. I shot two videos in Kenya early 2020. Mirundi Mingi was short in Diani at the Mombasa coast. Two days later we travelled to Malindi to shoot ‘Not Ready for Goodbye’. The adventure of travel with the crew and crossing flood covered roads made this unique and exciting.
You’re pretty generous with your art, your music is everywhere on social media. You marketed it heavily as well. What would you like the listener to take out if it?
Obviously, the message in the songs. And also, that anyone can live their dreams however late they start. At 43 I am not a spring chicken but I am doing what I have always wanted to do. So fulfilling. So to someone out there debating whether it’s too late to experience their passion, get up and live!
You invested quite heavily in promoting the album. Did you reach your marketing goals? If you don’t mind sharing. Plus, what has the reception been like?
I am still in the marketing phase so we will talk about the goals when I win a Grammy. The reception has been mind-blowing. See, you are here interviewing me. Two years ago, you had never heard of me. You all make it worthwhile and fulfilling.
And what was the thinking behind that approach? It’s quite unconventional in this market, you know.
It’s been done actually. There are brands like Swangz Avenue, Talent Africa and a few individuals like Jeff Kiwanuka who have perfected the game of marketing music. I borrow from their approaches and spice it up with my experiences in marketing. Having billboards and TV ads is what makes it unique I guess for the market. Fortunately for me I own the billboards so I do not spend on them.
The past many months have been rough on every single human being. What have been your key lessons?
Very true. It has been tough and my sympathies to those that lost loved ones. I have lost a few friends and family. On a personal front, I’ve learned to appreciate the smaller things in life. Appreciating every single day that we are here. On the business front, I have had to remain optimistic but still scale back to meet what’s important. I do not chase for every deal that is out there. It’s also amazing seeing how we run businesses out of the physical office space. This looks like the future even when this unfortunate period of the pandemic is gone. People are going to work more in remote spaces.
What should we expect next from Gabriel K? A new album? Please share
Oh yes! A third album is in the making and should be out later this year. I have a new music video for the song ‘Eddoboozi’ coming out in a few days. And not forgetting my second concert and regional tours! Dates to be announced.
You can find his music on YouTube and Deezer.
satisfashionug@gmail.com
