Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Obanda.
Catherine, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a Kenyan born creative entrepreneur who started making music,seriously, around a year ago (2019). I grew up as a geek and an adventurous person with a passion for math and science but yet somehow was drawn to poetry. My parents were certain I would become a commercial pilot, an engineer or an astronaut because I invented so much growing up, of which still amazes me.
People in my area had no idea I was going to consider getting into the creative scene since I just joked about being a musician, pilot and a business tycoon! They either knew me for basketball, inventing stuff, craziness or being a geek. I did try to get into a music club when I was ten years old, but they turned me down, saying I lacked ‘talent.’ At that time, I had just started learning the guitar, but I got unmotivated after I was shut out from the club that I dropped it and chose to pursue culinary skills instead.
Funny enough, I was told I sucked at that too, and all I could do was set the tables. That didn’t kill my spirit, I decided to start an all-girls band and called it “love birds,” I was ready to take on the world, but somehow things didn’t work out the way they do on TV. Bummer!
Fast forward to two years later, I was in high school, trying to pick up some cool hobbies. I spent most of my days in the physics lab making stuff but had time for music in the evening and over the weekends. Rock music had always been my first love. I remember listening to Pink and Avril Lavigne and losing it because I was such a Tomboy! Friday nights were the best because I’d blast the latest emo, indie/alternative, pop, and punk rock and even got others to join in! Everything about the lyrics was so poetic, even picked up some vocabulary while at it, haha.
I wrote A LOT of poetry at this time, going through adolescence had me feeling like a mini Shakespeare. I was also really deep and in tune with my poetry pieces. I even had one of my compositions framed after my English teacher couldn’t believe what she’d just read. My Biology teacher, who got to read it, gifted me a poetry book that I have till today.
At school, they referred to me as “Obanda”, known by many but only got to mingle with a few folks since books came first. People adored that I was always well organized and seemed to have my sh***t together but was somehow also crazy, in a good way. I had a mohawk while in high school!! That’s where the nickname “Cwezy” came in.
I became more confident in my skin and a “No” to my face only meant I needed to do better next time, and not a sulking session. Over the school holidays, I’d hang around a music studio where my uncle “Saint P” worked and got to play around the mic. I’d rap some silly things and wanted to make pop-rock music. I was ready, haha again, Psych! My voice lacked attitude etc. I had a stage name though, “Cwezy” was perfect!
After graduating high school, I knew freshman year was about to get lit, but before then, I needed to be a cool kid, so I decided to host events and give music a shot AGAIN. This time I met with an equatorial house producer who’d come from South Africa and had fallen in love with my rap. We did two songs together and even had my music played on an international radio show in the USA. This was the BIG moment I thought, but the music was more than talent. I was offered an opportunity to get signed under their record label which sounded amazing, however, I was not of legal age, rebellious, and enjoyed my freedom. So I killed the dream and went on to uni to major in Entrepreneurship. A few semesters in, I decided to do aviation as I hustled on the side.
The plan was to “fly me across the world.” Sometimes I feel like someone is controlling my thoughts because how does a sane person even come up with such ideas? I tried applying for scholarships to pursue robotics and aeronautical engineering but wasn’t successful. I decided to start my business and registered my first company. Since I was still young, I lacked the proper knowledge to run things, but I made it work by taking up online courses. I even had to enroll myself back to uni, but it seems I did it for the sake of it. Stumbling upon computer science was the best thing ever! I honestly learned more online than I would in any formal class.
One day as I was on YouTube following up on a lesson, I came across a music production tutorial on FL studio. I already had the software, I just never bothered to use it. It was an interesting tutorial and so I decided to play around with the software to see what I can make from it. That’s how I made the beat for “Lovesick pretense” it was a poem but could work as a song. My indie-pop beat was ready to be critiqued by my uncle, “Saint P,” I’d mentioned him earlier. He actually loved it and had me in the studio to record it and even went ahead to mix it. Since I had isolated myself from people, the only audience was my close friends and my 50 Facebook friends at the time.
I continued making beats and perfecting the art as I listened to projects from other producers. In 2017 I wanted to really get into it and just focus on music but I had plans to “fly myself across the world,” and music didn’t sound like a solid idea. I started some online courses at Berklee and Full Sail University simultaneously to catch up on my production skills. At this point, I had started to DJ for fun and only did it to a small audience and private parties. Support your local artists!!
My first official release, “that I know” was it, I got a distributor and was up and running on major platforms. I knew I was going to break the internet and meet Marshmello. Boy, was I wrong! Lack of marketing knowledge kind of killed a good song. At least I got to perform it at a couple of open mic events. The song gave me recognition and an A&R approached me to do ghostwriting for their label. The money was good, but I was handling a lot and not in the right headspace, so I had to drift away. We recently spoke and in 2020, they will be taking me on more projects, so I am looking forward to that.
Anyways, back to my long story, on a random night when sleep was hard to come by, I came across a beat online and bought it immediately. That’s how my song “Lifestyle” came to be. I got to connect with a couple of ATL and LA artists with possible future collaborations. Moreover, I was offered to be on an Atlanta based reality show but you know how messy these shows can get. Hit me up though, I’m wiser now and ready to secure the bag! I was also featured on entertainment websites which were all new to me.
When I got to sell beats and produce other people’s songs is when things got real, my art was finally making sense. I took more music business courses and sharpened the business side of my art. I decided 2020 was the year to focus on my art. Halfway done with my poetry book which I intended to publish by 2021, more than 20 songs to record and here we are with my first release of the year, “Rihanna”. The song was inspired by Rihanna’s success as the richest female artist in the world. Even had it released on her birthday!
The song has received a great reception, especially from my home country. My DMS are flooded with clips of people jamming to it, DJs supporting it at gigs and even had the opportunity to perform it live to celebrate International Women’s Day. I couldn’t be more proud of how far I’ve come! The editing skills I learned online came in handy, so I did a lyric video for it but the official video will be out soon!
My life journey has taught me patience. It has taught me to listen, to be disciplined, to work even when it hurts and nobody is cheering you on. My family, friends, and fans have been a great support, my daughter Mavros too (a feline) haha. I wish to continue impacting the world positively and also venture into some humanitarian work. As a thrill-seeker, I wouldn’t mind adventuring the world, sharing my music and poetry as I meet some cool people.
My businesses are still running, but it doesn’t mean I love music or aviation any less. Nevertheless, I am starting a network for female creatives in my home country. “Women Creatives Kenya” (WOCKE) since women face a lot of challenges in the male-dominated industry. My music studio will also be up and running before the year ends! If you would like to be part of this revolution, feel free to reach out!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
“I’m going to take my horse to the old town road. I’m going to ride till I can’t no more”, Ps. No, It has not been a smooth road at all! I have struggled financially, socially, spiritually, physically and emotionally. But it was worth it because all these sacrifices are paying back, so I keep on learning and give the most I can along the way. All things are currently working for my good.
Working with limitations is what kills the art since creativity is always there lingering and waiting to burst out. However, I have learned how to adapt, how to still do it without having the tools you THINK you need. This is the part that makes us unique as creatives. People need to see us innovate and not just the end product. Other struggling creatives should never fear obstacles because sometimes they are an inspiration. I mean, look at me sharing bits of my life with you. Who would’ve thought I’d be featured here!!
Cwezy – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
First of all there’s no competition because there’s only one Cwezy. I am a creative entrepreneur and I provide this service through artistry, music, and poetry. I am also trying to get into Vlogging, so subscribing to my YouTube channel, ‘Cwezymusic’ would be nice. I can confidently state on my creative portfolio that I offer the following services: Music production, Songwriting, Performing artist, DJing, and Music business coaching.
However, most people know Cwezy as a music artist, pilot, an adventure-loving thrill-seeker, entrepreneur or events host (Private parties). But, what can I say, entertainment is my home and I am proud of my progress.
Thus far, I have been on platforms that most would consider me “unqualified” for. I would like to grow in all aspects since this is just the beginning. What sets me apart is that I feel too gifted and it scares me sometimes. Not every artist has the wisdom of writing and producing their own music, I accept this gift and I am ready to do as many collaborations and make connections creatively across the world. Oh, sometimes, I model!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is giving everything you’ve got expecting the best possible outcome without feeling entitled. Success is growing from situations that were holding you back and overcoming the fear of the unknown. Success is great health, wealth and happiness. I believe in manifestation. Life can be exactly how you want it to be. I believe that a lot of the positive things I have spoken over my life and attached a prayer to have happened and will continue to happen in due time. I am grateful for the genuine people around me and the strangers who support my art because their positive energies keep me going.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.cwezy.com
- Phone: +254721669920
- Email: mgmt@cwezy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcwezy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwezymusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwezymusic
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/cwezymusic
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