In the quiet outskirts of Kericho Town, tucked inside Nyagacho Estate, three young artists are using music and poetry to voice the frustrations, dreams and struggles of a generation.
Meet Clinton Kiplang’at alias Dabb Ace the Producer, Fredrick Eter alias Preacher Sancho the rapper, and Dennis Kombo alias Denkuz the poet/ They may not be widely known, but in their neighborhood and among growing online audiences, their art is beginning to strike a powerful chord.
They are not living in luxury or enjoying major record deals but instead, they juggle their passion for music with hustles like selling shoes and secondhand clothes to make ends meet but it is through art, they say, that they find peace, purpose and a platform to speak out.
Speaking to KNA, the trio said they use their creativity to educate and advocate for social change among the youth, a journey they began in 2015 when they came together to form a group called Big Minds but at the time, none of them had access to a studio, and they relied on a phone recording app, borrowed headphones and improvised spaces in their bedrooms to produce songs.
Denkuz added that despite the low quality of the sound, the messages in their music reflected real life and resonated with those around them.
Dabb Ace stated that he started out in 2012 as a beatmaker using only his phone in his parents’ house while Preacher Sancho said that he was known for his gospel raps in primary school. Denkuz mentioned that he developed his craft as a poet during high school, writing about life, pain and the issues affecting the community.
And when they met in Nyagacho, they saw a shared purpose and decided to walk the journey together. Dabb Ace expressed that his father wasn’t supportive and just like many Kenyan parents, he wanted him to pursue formal education and secure a job. Choosing music was seen as a risky move but he held onto his dreams and remained focused on the message that centered on issues that were often ignored.
Dabb Ace also confirmed that they managed to upgrade their equipment when he acquired a laptop and when their sound began to improve, they distributed their songs through social media.
By and by they gained small but consistent following especially during COVID-19 pandemic, when most Kenyans turned to online platforms for entertainment. That was the moment their content found new life on TikTok and YouTube, attracting thousands of viewers and listeners.
Denkuz emphasized that their journey has not become easier because recording music remains expensive and getting airplay is still a challenge. He says some DJs and radio presenters overlook upcoming artists, but despite the struggles they continue to write and produce songs, using art as a tool to inspire and inform.
“Our art is not just about entertainment, it is a way to talk about the things we face every day, that is drug abuse, unemployment, sexual exploitation, and mental health because these are the issues affecting young people, and we want our art to educate and to push for change,” said Denkuz
Preacher Sancho also noted that they no longer work as a group because they have decided to pursue solo careers but the bond remains strong and they continue to support one another.
“We are still brothers. We help each other even now, because that’s how we started and we won’t forget that,” said Preacher Sancho.
He affirmed that their music has found its way into small community events, youth forums, church gatherings and online campaigns and that they have performed in spaces created by local leaders and youth groups, using every opportunity to reach people with their messages.
Speaking to KNA, they indicated that they sustain themselves by running small businesses such as selling shoes and clothes by roadside and in open markets but their main dream is to one day live off their art.
“In five years, I want to be doing this full time, I want to wake up and just create but even now, with the little we have, we are pushing forward,” added Dabb Ace.
From the narrow streets of Nyagacho to the ears of listeners across the country, their story is a reflection of hope and resilience and to many young Kenyans facing the pressures of modern life, their music is not just sound, it is a voice, a mirror and a reminder that change begins with those who dare to speak.
By Elvis Omondi/ Mercy Mwende
