in-conversation
May 14, 2025
The name Mwaji (artist name: ‘mwaajii”) is on track to be synchronous with feelings of relatability and empathy, as she seeks to be a representative of feelings unspoken to her listeners. This experience begins on her three-song EP — INTROSPECTIVE — which blends bossa nova elements and the familiarity of a personal diary entry in each song.
INTROSPECTIVE was not the first instance of mwaajii’s vocal talent available to the public. “Playing With Fire” by sumahh involves an addictive hook done by her, but it would be almost 8 months before we would hear from her again.
A few months after that release, WhoWhatWhere caught wind of a new talent on the block, and we had to have a sit down with her, and find out more about her art.
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Mwaajii — is there a reason you chose to do the two A’s and two I’s?
Yes there is, actually! I’d say the main reason is because that’s how I feel like people say my name when they’re happy. Like “Mwaajiii!!” — you know, they pull the A’s and the I’s… and I think it’s a really nice thing; it puts a smile on my face. I think it also slightly comes from the fact that my first and last name both start with M. So, sometimes my mum will call me M2, and so when I was planning an artist name, I was thinking of something to do with twos. It’s kind of an ode to that, but that’s the more hidden reason. The more obvious one is I feel like that’s how people sound when they’re happy to see me.
And as someone who is just starting, what do you feel about how the music industry looks, especially within the circles that we’re in?
I think as someone who is just starting, I’ve really prioritised involving myself in these creative scenes, like the current creative scenes in Nairobi, because I get inspiration when I see other artists in the industry create, and this is not just in music alone — like for example, with Swap Circle and… just all these events that are coming up in support of Kenya’s creativity — and East Africa’s creativity as a whole is really good for a beginner artist like me, because I get to indulge myself and kind of understand the creative landscape I’m working with, you know? It’s through these events that I’m able to reach out to maybe one of the organisers and be like, “Hey, I’m also a musician, I’d love to know how I can perform at one of your events,” like at FOTA where there was a panel talk, someone was able to perform. And I’d like to be able to do that as well, because for me, it’s these small underground gatherings that I think will help me grow and get over my fear of being seen and perceived, which I think I’m currently in a phase of right now.
I get that. I know a lot of artists find it very vulnerable to put yourself out there, and have people see what you’re trying to do, you know? It’s like plunging into the deep end and you don’t even know how to swim yet. You just learn on the job.
You’ve talked about a fear of being perceived. But at the end of the day, you have control over some of the things you write and say, right? So, what are the parts of yourself that you’re working on actually showing people?
That’s a great question, because I don’t think I know that yet.
And the reason I say that is because I find it very easy for me to collab with other artists rather than work on my own project. Like, when someone reaches out to me, I’m just like, what’s the theme behind this? Then I write down my lyrics, and I’m happy with it. But I’ve realised, while writing this current song I’m working on, that whenever I’m working on my own projects, I am so reluctant to finish them, because I feel like I’m putting everything into it. Which I don’t think is a bad idea, and it’s so hard for me not to be personal in my songs — and I don’t know if that will change in the future. I don’t know what’s going to happen moving forward, but I think I’ve realised with this song I’m writing right now, and even with my own work, that most of it is just how I’m feeling. And because of my fear of being perceived, I always have these thoughts, I’m like, “Oh my gosh, people are going to listen to this and think I’m not okay.” But that’s not the case! I’m perfectly fine, but I’m just describing a way I was feeling or have been feeling. And when I try to divert from that, I can’t make a song.
I hear you.
When it comes to my work, I’ve tried going on Google and maybe searching for a beat or using those chord charts that show you which chords create this mood. And even when I try to do that, I’ll end up with a new loop but still the same kind of direction in terms of… whatever I end up writing seems so personal that I’m cringing, like, “Oh my gosh, nobody’s gonna get this! What’s wrong with you??” Yeah.
So, I really don’t know. I think so far with my songs, you get to see me raw kabisa. And it’s a bit scary, because again, that’s kind of like a juxtaposition to the whole idea of a fear of being seen. I’m really in a limbo right now with that. But to answer that question, of how much of me I’m showing in my songs, it’s 100% me as of now.
So, you’re not selective at all in terms of like, maybe you’ll talk about this and maybe you’ll keep this one to yourself. It’s just whatever comes to you, that’s what you use?
Yeah. And I think with that, I just like it because anyone can relate with it however, you know? Because maybe I’m talking about a certain feeling or situation but someone else applies it in a different situation I wouldn’t have thought of. And ultimately that’s what I’d like my music to be like for anyone to relate to it or with it in any shape or form.
I like that idea a lot.
Thank you!
Now, I wanna know, outside of maybe artists that you look up to or situations you’ve been in, are there any mundane things that you would say really inspire you? And would you say any of them have come up yet or are they to come up in your writing?
I think the mundane things that inspire me a lot are the things I do to de-stress. So, I love going on walks. Just so that I can look at things and remind myself like, bro — literally everything’s gonna be okay, you know? It’s also just a healthy way to get out of your head, so walks are like my number one.
I’ve recently gotten back into colouring. I know this sounds so childish, but colouring also helps me a lot. I got this colouring book from Text Book Center. It was for 700 — bro, I’ve never spent my money so fast like that. It’s a nature book, and I usually colour as well when I feel like, okay maybe I need to step away from music. Cause sometimes it does stress me, you know? As much as maybe I can be going into music to relieve some stress, there’s also the stress that comes because you’re trying to make something from it.
I’m not sure if this counts, but I love dressing up. I’m no stylist by any means, but I do love dressing up and putting effort in my outfit. Sometimes I do that with my performances. For example, I had a performance at some Pan-African Symposium. Weird turn of events. That’s like… I’d do a storytime in the future, but I dressed in accordance with that theme. Even when I had another performance, which didn’t really have a theme — it was just a concert — I dressed in accordance with the theme of the song. So, I feel like if I look good, I feel good, so it also kind of helps with my nervousness.
I want to become more of a reader because books do help in terms of inspiration and growing knowledge. But my top three would be walking, colouring and dressing up.
That is honestly the best answer I could have hoped for. Hit the nail on the head with that one.
The big three.
Yeah! I completely understand it because it’s like, we can immediately see what it is about these things that actually inspires your creativity.
You had also mentioned that there’s a song that you’re writing right now? Can you tell us a little bit about what you’re working on?
It’s definitely an “in my feels” type of song. I’m yet to write about love in terms of relationships, and this one is definitely not that. There’s one song I’ve written before that’s about a relationship, but it was more of like a friendship, and that’s not yet released because I just feel like it has a lot more tweaking to be done. But for this one, definitely an “in my feels” song, which I’m hoping people can relate to, because I feel like overthinking and being in over your head is not uncommon.
So, I’m hoping — and I’m sure there’s thousands of songs that cover that — but I’m hoping this one also has something to do with that. That’s a hint, but it’s not a huge spoiler. I hope it can help others find the words they didn’t even know they could put their feelings to.
I’m hoping to release it soon — it’s actually the first one I’m producing myself, through Bandlab!
That’s so great! I’m happy for you!
Thank you, thank you! It’s really a process, oh my gosh.
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photos by @uctrl.k