From Kisumu to Mombasa and back to Nairobi, industry pundits and fans of Gospel music alike agree that this sixteen year old is not only exceptionally gifted, but is headed for an amazing career. Phrases like 'ragga sensation' are being bandied about in reference to him, and he is being hailed as a major addition to an ever buldging stable of Gospel ragga artists.
 
Never mind that Verbal, real name Habil Ndire, is yet to release an album, or even a solo project in the Kenyan market. But his unmistakable flow has featured in various local collaborations, and with his hard hitting rhymes, captivating free-styling skill and fancy on-stage jigs, Verbal has earned himself accolades from music lovers and fellow Gospel artistes.
 
But the form one student at Highway Secondary School seems unfazed by all this attention – perhaps because he has been rhyming since the age of twelve. Then a pupil at Kimathi Primary School, he would join up with his friends and freestyle during creative arts lessons in school. He would later start experimenting with ragga, as he felt the style best suited him.
 
Although Verbal grew up in a Christian family, his own salvation experience came in 2002, after watching the poignant play, Heaven's Gate and Hell's Flames, at the Kenya Assemblies of God (KAG) church in Buruburu. He continued to pursue music, but his purpose changed from meer entertainment to ministry.
 
The local church gave him an apt platform to develop his talent. It is here that he met up with artistes from Wernono Family, who nurtured his musical skills and made his performance tracks. More doors opened for the young artist as the congregation whole-heartedly took to his music, and it wasn't long before he became a regular feature at youth services.
 
After two years of Church performances, Verbal felt refined and he went out to seek a producer for his songs. In 2005, he approached Rufftone, who had just set up Lampstand Records. The young artist did such an impressive job, Rufftone signed him up immediately. His first appearance with Lampstand Records was on One Dem, a jam that featured some of Kenya's more established ragga names, including Mr Lee, Rufftone, Daddy Owen, Chiefs and Harry G.
 
Since then, Verbal has continued to prove his mettle on hit collaborations; with MOG on the unmistakable Zing Zing (yes, the ragga flow impossible to imitate is Verbal), Fatmod's Burn Dem as well as Ambassada's Remember, a single that's causing ripples on Uganda's airwaves. The latter is set to feature on Verbal's debut album, Christamental, due on streets towards the end of 2007.  

Whether in his speech, with his famed sing-song voice or on his pidgin rhymes, Verbal's zeal for music is unmistakable. Yet he has even bigger dreams; the budding talent has already training as a Disc Jockey! His latent gifts include graphic design, and sports such as swimming, football and basketball, the latter earning him a place in the school team.
 
Nevertheless, he values his education, and points out that his parents have been supportive of his music only because of his good performance in school.
 
“Music to me is like a hobby and I do it without strain as I can effortlessly balance music with my studies without compromising either of the two”.
 
Verbal cites a desire to change the perception of Gospel music as one of his principle motivators. He sees himself providing a high-standard Gospel alternative to secular ragga, and also producing jams that young people would be proud to identify with. He encourages up and coming artistes, saying age should never be a hindrance. He quotes the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:12:
 
“Do not let anyone despise you because you are young; but be an example to the believers in speech, in spirit, in life, in faith and in purity.”
 
If what has been seen of this emcee thus far is anything to go by, the Gospel industry has one of its biggest stars in Verbal and he's definitely worth looking out for!

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