“My motivation came from my pure love for music and performance”
She is a karaoke artiste that has featured in most entertainment joints and once featured in KBC’s Sundowner Sunset date in 2014. She is a promising artiste that is working to become a global brand in the karaoke industry. Our team met her after one of her shows and this was the interview.
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| Doing what she does best. |
Calvin; - What are your full names?
Kate; - I am Catherine Wambugu
Calvin; - Why the name “Kate Karaoke?”
Kate; - I am currently a Karaoke hostess, with gigs in the city. I wanted a name that would depict, clearly what I do as I’m a straight forward person. I also wanted something that sounded artistic so, Kate Karaoke was just perfect for me.
Calvin; - What is Karaoke and what exactly do you do?
Kate; - “Karaoke” originate from Japan and has over the last three decades become global phenomenon. “Karaoke” is a Japanese word meaning “without orchestra.” Simply put, karaoke entails singing along to recorded songs but without a lead vocal. You sing along to the lyrics and the beat of a song. My karaoke hosting entails emceeing and singing.
Calvin; - You were in JKUAT, Karen Campus in 2011. What were you pursuing?
Kate; - That is just on the profile as it did not happen in real life. I was to enroll in 2011 but I couldn’t due to lack of funds.
Calvin; - Describe your type of music (Karaoke).
Kate; - I really love music… all genres actually. But I am more inclined to oldies, classics and country music.
Calvin; - When did you begin doing Karaoke and who motivated you to do it?
Kate; - I got my first gig in 2010. I had attended my first karaoke show like a month before, and instinctively I’d known since then that I wanted to get a gig of my own. My motivation came from my pure love for music and performance.
Calvin; - What challenges do you encounter in your field of music?
Kate; - Like any other job, hosting karaoke has its challenges. I host in clubs, and it’s not easy dealing with drunken people. That’s my major challenge.
Calvin; - True. Dealing with drunken people can be messy at times. Tell us more about your family.
Kate; - I come from a big closely knit family that I completely adore. I have both parents, six siblings, two nephews and a niece.
Calvin; - We understand that a woman never discloses her age. Would you disclose yours to us?
Kate; - Well, I am in my late twenties.
Calvin; - Apart from Karaoke, what do you do for a living?
Kate; - I am into business. I sell women’s wear, shoes and jewelry.
Calvin; - Who has been your inspiration?
Kate; - Music itself has been my inspiration. I find it very pertinent to do our daily life. The potential to grow in the music industry also inspire some very much.
Calvin; - Whom do you work with and how did you meet?
Kate; - I work with a Deejay and a karaoke jockey. I met them during the karaoke gigs.
Calvin; - What is the name of your Deejay?
Kate; - Deejay Deu and Deejay Frere. These are the Deejays I’ve worked consistently with, though I have also worked with a lot of other deejays.
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| Kate Karaoke with DJ Deu |
Calvin; - Have you received any awards so far?
Kate; - No I haven’t. Neither have I heard about awards for Karaoke hostesses in the country.
Calvin; - What strange thing don’t people know about Kate Karaoke?
Kate; - I wouldn’t exactly call it strange, but most people don’t know that I am an introvert, given the kind of work I do. But in person, I am really shy. And oh! I am also atheist.
Calvin; - Where do you see yourself in 3 (three) years?
Kate; - In the next 3 years, I want to have become a global brand in the Karaoke industry. I am pro growth and change. I feel the karaoke industry in the country lacks authenticity and does little if anything to depict our rich African heritage. I want to bring these and more to the fore such that karaoke is not only confined in bars.
Calvin; - Where do you hold your shows and on which days?
Kate; - At Choices pub and restaurant, along Baricho road every Tuesday night - Every Thursday night, at Zebra Lounge, Capital Center along Mombasa road - And every first and third Friday of the month at Shooter’s & Dips, Panari Hotel along Mombasa road.
Calvin; - What would you tell people out there who have a passion for karaoke but have not made any move?
Kate; - Just do the necessary. Go out there and expose your talent. Stick to your dream and eventually everything will fall into place.
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| At one of her shows at Choices Pub & Restaurant. |
Calvin; - Lastly, talk to your fans…..
Kate; - My fans, first of all I love and appreciate you all. It would be impossible to run a gig without them. They flock the shows and make them a complete blast. I’ve fully appreciate the support and love they’ve shown me.
