You probably first heard of him on the hit song Wakati – and that was about two years ago. It’s taken that long but finally Jimmy Gait has released his debut album. On August 1st 2008, Muhathara hit the stores and Gait is convinced you haven’t heard anything like it.

He talked to Mwafrika.com on the eve of the album’s release, and let us in on what he’s been up to and what’s on the record. Plus, he did let us have a look at the video for the title track, and we loved it! What more, you can get to download that track exclusively right here, right now – just CLICK HERE.

Here’s our conversation.

Mwafrika.com: Hey man. The album is finally here. What can you tell us about it?
Jimmy Gait: Yeah, the album is called Muhathara. That’s also the title track; it’s produced by R-Kay, and it’s the ultimate club banger! It’s very Kenyan, has a lot of Kikuyu fusion in it…it’s a great song!

M: That’s an interesting title. Muhathara is slang for a troublesome situation. What is Muhathara the track about?
J: It’s a story that I’m telling about something that happens all the time – it’s one I’m sure everyone will want to listen to and it keeps you thinking, what happens next, you know? It’s quite interesting, humorous and very captivating. (The story theme has to do with an encounter with a sugar-mummy) The video for the track is also coming out and it’s serious!

M: Anything like Wakati?
J: People have watched Wakati and that’s how they know me, but this one is going to be a hit. It’s actually very good, and it’s hitting everyone. In fact, every time I perform it at gigs, schools, people always ask to hear it again. It’s serious! This is certainly the song driving this album.

M: OK, let’s talk about what else is on that record?
J: There are other really good songs, like Nakuhitaji which is basically me putting myself in the IDPs’ shoes, and trying to express what they went through and that they can look to God; there’s African People which talks about the fact that Jesus came for Africa and for all of us, I’d say it’s quite evangelistic. Then of course there’s Wakati, which people know.

M: Wakati has never been released on an album?
J: No, this is actually the first compilation of music I’m releasing; we only did the video for Wakati. Now finally, guys can get it as part of the album. I’d say the album is quite rich, very diverse and very interesting. Muhathara for instance, is a song that every person in Kenya will identify with, because I’m talking about things people experience all the time. Every song I’ve written has the same quality, I’ve taken time working on them and I’m happy with the final product.

M: Tell us about the general style of the album and the production team?
J: There are two R & B sounding songs, but the rest of the album is very Kenyan. I’ve taken the Kikuyu River-road music and upgraded it, made it contemporary. R- Kay did quite a number of songs, and Billy Frank as well. The videos were done by Princecam Media and Spinrej.

M: You've been singing for a while now. How come it took so long for you to release an album?
J: Firstly, I’ve been having challenges all through. I believe I had to be prepared before I could do this. You see, great men undergo great preparation. Mine has been in form of challenges to do with finances, planning and things have been real difficult at times. It’s taken four years to do my album, but I thank God that it’s finally done. I believe that this is God’s timing and He’s launching me out.

M: Because you haven't had interaction with our readers before, could you tell us a bit about your background?
J: I grew up in the village, in Limuru. But ever since I was a young boy, I always believed that someday, I would make it. After high school, I joined Bible school, and did theology for four years. After that I decided to get into music ministry full-time and moved to Nairobi about three years ago. I struggled quite a bit for the first year or so, but I just kept keeping on. What kept me going was my vision of the future. I believe, and this is the message I want to give to young people, that your past doesn’t matter, only your future.

M: Tell us a bit about how you got started in music?
J: I was very active musically from a young age, and throughout school and college. I think my break came when I met a missionary in Kijabe, who was also a music teacher at the Rift Valley Academy, while I was in college. He took me in, taught me to play the keyboard and gave me access to the studio at the school. I started recording my own songs, and the people who’d listen were very impressed. Soon, I was getting invitations to perform in various places, and finally got one to Nairobi.

M: How did you end up involved with Jesus Night?
J: The performance that I’d been invited for was at JCC. There, I met a guy called Paul, who’s been very instrumental in shaping my career. He connected me with Pastor Mugambi, who after hearing me sing, asked if I could do a theme-song for Jesus Night. He paid for it, I went into R-Kay’s studio and Wakati was done. We followed that up with a Prince Cam video. That’s how I started.

M: Wow. Quite a story you have there. Anyway, in finishing, what’s next for Jimmy Gait?
J: Well, what’s next – release this album and get it out there. Then continue with my high school ministry, I’ve been doing a lot of that and I just want to intensify it. And its not just singing, it’s also speaking to them. I also want my music to go further than the Christian stations, have them played in the secular world.

M: Thanks a lot man, we appreciate it!
J: Thanks!

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