Mejja Recalls How His Mother Doubted His Talent Before Seeing Him Sing on TV 

Celebrated Kenyan musician Mejja has opened up about a defining moment in his music career, revealing that his mother initially doubted his musical talent before witnessing him perform on television during her recovery from an 8-hour brain surgery.

Speaking on a podcast, Mejja recounted how he discovered an opportunity for upcoming artistes advertised in Buzz Magazine by music producer  Clemmo, offering studio time at KSh 5,000. Having saved KSh 2,000, he approached his mother for the remaining KSh 3,000. “I went and told mum to add me 3,000 so I could go record a song,” Mejja recalled.

Her response was less than encouraging. “She said my problem ni kujiekelea talent sina. Your brother can rap, and she left,” he said. Mejja noted that he understood her skepticism, as she had never actually heard him sing. His brother, by contrast, was known for effortlessly mimicking other artistes, which made his own talent seem doubtful in his mother’s eyes.

The turning point came unexpectedly. After undergoing an 8-hour operation at Kenyatta Hospital to remove a brain tumour, Mejja’s mother was recovering when his music video appeared on the hospital television. She asked him if it was indeed him, and he confirmed it was.