High-flying musician Nyamari Ongegu, alias Nyashinski is among musicians who headlined The Mo Festival.
The concert which was hosted by Sudanese-British billionaire businessman Sir Mohammed Fathi Ahmed Ibrahim was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
While organizers of the show complained about Nyashinski’s bad reputation in the build-up to the show, it was revealed how much he was paid for the gig.
He was meant to be the last act of the night after performances by Otile Brown, Femi One, Mejja Nvirii The Story Teller and Senegalese Afro-pop legend Youssou N’Dour.
In his 40-minutes set, Nyashinski performance alongside his band comprising of a pianist, two guitarists, a percussionist, drummer and two trumpeters.
The father of two was also flanked by a flag bearer who usually waves his flag during the shows.
According to a report on Nairobi News, Nyashinski was reportedly paid Ksh 4 million for the thrilling performance.
Nyashinski biography
The popular musician went to Nairobi School where his talent in music was nurtured.
He then joined Kenyatta University to pursue Bachelors degree in Environmental Planning and Management but dropped out in his third year of studies, at least according to an interview on the Sunday Magazine.
This account varies from an earlier interview on MyNetwork where he states that he has a Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning and management.
While at Nairobi school, he met two friends, Collo (Collins Majale) and Roba (Robert Nyamasa), and started an all boys grouped called Kleptomaniax.
The trio were under Ogopa DJ’s label and released their first single “Freak It” in 2002. This was followed by “Maniax Anthem” and “Haree.”
In 2004, they released a song called “Tuendelee ama tusiendelee” which became a major hit among Kenyans.
In 2005, they released their first album called M4E ( Maniax Forever). After a long run and touring America, the group split up to pursue a solo career.
When he was 21, his family got a chance to relocate to the United States.
His parents wanted him to continue with his studies while in the US but he didn’t see the need and started looking for a job.
A Kenyan resident got him a job that involved delivering proofs (slips that show proof of a transaction) to banks where he earned $900 a week.
A while later, his brother-in-law told him of a better opportunity in Dallas that involved truck driving but he needed to go to school to learn how to drive trucks.
Later, he released a song and sent it to Collo to release it in the Kenyan market but the reception was poor.
After a while, he came back to Kenya and continued his solo career.
