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Kenya's first hip-hop competition caused quite a buzz on the Gospel music scene last December. Mwafrika.com recently caught up with the man who walked away with the crown, beating some 20 shortlisted contestants. Tim Gicharu aka Mime, an 18-year old International Business student, bagged a much coveted album recording deal with Fullhouse Music, the competition's main trophy. Mime talked to us quite frankly about his life, his music, and who he is behind that babyface smile...

Mwafrika.com: Wsup man. Thanks for talking to us. So, why Mime?
Mime: It is a description of who I am, quiet and collected. Initially, I was not sure I wanted the name because it is more of a dance group name than artiste name. And then, I was not sure how people were going to receive it. That changed when I saw a dance group in a recent local dance competition christened thus, eventually emerging as among the top.

Mwafrika.com: Have you always known you were going to be a rapper?
Mime: No. A friend of mine in High School is the one who inspired me. He used to be so passionate about rhyming and every other time he would be penning down some lines. I found myself in the same cube with him when I was promoted as a prefect. Because of his enthusiasm, I also found myself playing with words in harmony and rhyme, to express my thoughts and feelings.

Mwafrika.com: That's interesting. What then?
Mime: He did not seem threatened with my new found passion and even encouraged me by lending me some of his beats. I had never known that that there was anything like Gospel Hip Hop and he was the first person I had heard rhyme in honor of God since I have lived a very secluded and sheltered life.

Mwafrika.com: Tell us about that sheltered life...
Mime: Yes, my father is a pastor, and you know, as a result of being a pastor’s child, people set very high standards for you and look at you in disdain when you go below them. As a result, I lived almost like a monk, for the book and by the book. I preferred keeping to myself, leading to depression and low self esteem that heavily weighted in my lyrics when I wrote songs. If you had read my lyrics, they reflected a deeply bitter, lonely young man, looking for guidance and direction.

Mwafrika.com: So music was an outlet for your frustration?
Mime: It was hard for me to express myself to my parents. This meant that my only escape route was my sister (who gave me an ear) and music. Since music was constantly with me, I fiercely poured my heart, spirit and soul, enjoying the companionship it gave me. In fact, after I cleared high school, I was by myself with all the time in the world. I looked down at myself, convincing myself that no one wanted to associate with me. It was also during this time that I came across pornography since I had internet at home and no one really cared what I was up to.

Mwafrika.com: So when did you eventually change?
Mime:  I think God was looking for me only that I did not want to be found. There was no particular life changing event in my life that made me make a sudden turn around, but I found myself being drawn to church slowly. It’s like a voice was calling from a distance. I joined the choir and before long, I was enjoying other peoples company. This is not to say I became talkative, I just hang out more with church folk, rededicating my life, though still the quite and reserved me. My attitude changed and my hostile nature stopped.

Mwafrika.com: Let's talk about The Break. How did you get into that one?
Mime: I joined United States International University-USIU, and there was a concert to mark the Worlds Aids Day. One of the performers was Holy Dave who I looked up to as a Gospel Hip Hop artist. I approached him for some words of advice and that’s when he told me about the competition.

Mwafrika.com: Did you expect to win?
Mime: When I entered, I thought I  actually deserved to win for my diligence in God's work but when I got there and heard other people's stories, it hit me that my story was just drop in the ocean compared to others; thus everyone, least likely me, deserved the recording deal. So when they kept cutting down the numbers from twenty to the eventual two, me and the runners up, I was quite shocked. I can only thank God for the win.

Mwafrika.com: That's great, and you certainly deserved to win. What comes next for you?
Mime: I hope to encourage people using the songs and also that they will be drawn to Christ. Expect less punch lines and more real life situations, no hype just the Word. My mentor, Xpo, helped me record my first single and I thank God for him. Also, expect more Bible content because the upbringing I have had, apart from the class books, I have had to read the Book.

Mwafrika.com: Thanks man!

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