‎Major Nameye Khadija, popularly known by his stage name Mejja, has candidly opened up on the struggles he went through over the past year which nearly brought his music career to a halt. Speaking during an interview on Baze 47 talks how, the Kenyan Genge icon Kenyan revealed how a series of challenges including personal issues, management changes, and the pressure of musical expectations deeply took a toll on him weakening him mentally and emotionally.
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‎The ‘Utawezana’ hitmaker disclosed that his split with Shiko Kamau, a long-time friend and manager of over 15 years was too much pain to take in. The emotional strain from the separation led him to him suspending music for over 5 months a period he claims helped him heal and find a new purpose for the next chapter of his music career.
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‎“If I had released this song last year, it wouldn’t have hit the same way it does now. I was lost back then going through so much pressure after parting ways with my manager of over 15 years. Now I’m in a different space, and every word in the song speaks my truth,” Mejja said.
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‎Recounting his early days of music after coming to Nairobi as a new guy Mejja advised upcoming musicians to stay real,embrace hard work and overcome the illusion of early success. According to Mejja most upcoming musicians are carried away by early success due to peer pressure.
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‎ Mejja also pointed out that pressure to maintain flashy lifestyles has greatly impacted a number of artists especially in Nairobi as there is an emerging trend of upcoming musicians trying to live beyond their means which is slowly killing their careers. This according to him isleading to stress, depression, and even bankruptcy.
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‎Reflecting on his early days in his music career in Nairobi, Mejja shared the harsh city nature which made him who he is today. Having experienced the hustle firsthand,he said that people only value you when you have something but when you don’t have anything they you’re as good as nothing to them.
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‎”When I first came to Nairobi I was of the mentality that people stay together and there are true friends but later I realized that as long as you have nothing to offer they drop you instantly” he said.