FLEXBOY DEEDAT ON YOUNG-CHANGEMAKERS-EDITION

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Flexboy Deedat

One of the most difficult things I have ever done was to interview a public figure on a busy road and oh boy, this was tough, and let me tell you why. So it is a cloudy afternoon, I am with the Cinderella hitmaker Abdul Deedat alias Flexboy Deedat, we are walking from the main gate of JKUAT Main Campus toward the Thika Super Highway in Juja. We are talking as he narrates to me more his music career, however every other time, we are stopped by small crowds of people all who want him to greet and recognize them. For a moment, I though Deedat is vying to become the area MCA. In worry that our interview might never get candid, Flexboy suggests that we make our way to the famous ‘Containers Joint’ in Juja. We rush to this very popular spot, settle in at a silent corner and proceed to make orders. A few soft drinks were suffice for the day because I did not want ‘msanii’ to get any intoxications before he tells us his beautiful story. As he starts detailing me his life story, I take a keen look at his appearance and ooh my, this guy has clad in a full musical artist’s gears. On his head, a faux hawked shaven hear stands still, his forehead is covered on a black stripped bandana, his eyes covered with huge dark sunglasses. It is this point that I stopped to inquire about why artists prefer sunglasses even when it is dark and for reasons best known to me, I will not reveal the answer that the 2022 JKUAT’s Male Artist of the Year gave me. He had chains over his neck, a clear show of opulence, at least in my judgment. After a short session of small talk with tunes of Madilu’s Nzele hitting from the background, I started asking my tough questions to this Alliance High School class of 2018 alumnus. Enjoy the interview.

GIVE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ABOUT YOURSELF

My name is Abdul Deedat, famously known with my stage name as Flexboy Deedat. I was born in the early 2000s in Nairobi City. I have spent the better part of my life in Nairobi, Kenya except for a short stint that I spent in the lakeside town of Homa bay, a small town in the shores of Lake Victoria, South Nyanza in the Western Kenya. I attained my primary school education at Nairobi Primary School before joining Alliance High School for my secondary school education in 2015. I graduated at Alliance in 2018 and joined Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology in Juja, outskirts of Nairobi. I am an upcoming Artist combining different sounds to form my own style; from Bongo through Afro Pop to Swahili but I am aligned so much towards afro pop. I am currently working on my album and it will soon be out, and the album will be a revolutionary one that will completely transform the Kenyan music sound and create a way for the next generation of artists. . My music is available on all music platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Audiomack, Boomplay, Deezer, to name the little. Just look up for Flexboy Deedat. My latest jam is Cinderela.

JUST WHEN AND HOW DID YOU START YOUR MUSIC?

My musical talent was realized in a very mysterious way. When I was a small child, I used to babysit my little sister and in the process, I used to sing lullabies for her. One day I did so in the presence of my mother and she was extremely awed when she heard my voice. She was indeed the link to me identifying my talent that has grown to be huge. When I was in Class 3, legendary African songstress Yvonne Chakachaka visited Kenya, and my school was required to perform before her, so the school did some auditions and I emerged the best and led other students to perform to her. I composed pieces that I used to perform during school events and at times to even make fun of teachers when I was angered. That was in primary school. That is how the foundation to music was.

WHAT IS YOUR LOWEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?

When I joined the music industry, I was extremely frustrated. I did not have anyone to guide or mentor me. Anytime I would step into a studio, no producer took me seriously and they dismissed me simply because I was an upcoming and unknown artist yet they preferred more experienced artists. I think this is the biggest problem in the Kenyan music scene where young artists are often looked down upon.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST MOMENT?

This came this year when I won the Best Male Artist of The Year Award at the JKUAT Awards Gala. This was a very defining moment in my life generally because I never knew I could carry so much confidence in people like that. I still feel so appreciated and celebrated. I usually look at that trophy daily and just smile.

FUTURE PLANS?

Definitely to grow and enlarge my music. I want to be the biggest artist not only in Kenya but beyond and introduce my style to the entire world, ending the notion that Africa cannot produce massive talents. I believe I will inspire the next generation of African creatives and change lives.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU INVOLVE YOURSELF IN?

At the moment, I am an Undergraduate Student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology. Apart from that, I am running multiple businesses and you know that because when we were in high school, you were one of my customers in my numerous start-ups that I started at that time, all that have grown to be great ventures.

WHAT DO YOU TELL A YOUNG PERSON OUT THERE?

We should not tire from dreaming. Let us dream, dream and dream more. However, as we dream, let us also act on our dreams so that they do not end up like wishful thinking or some pipe hallucinations.

FAVORITE DISH

I have two meals that I love so much and they readily have my mouth waters. The first being dish being that of ugali and fish and the other being chapoo madondo (beans and chapatis).

CELEBRITY CRUSH?
When I was a little younger, I used to have Avril as my every moment crush, however I have since ditched her for Zuchu. I also have a huge crush on Nairobi of Money Heist.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF YOUR ROMANTIC LIFE?

At the moment, I prefer not to comment on this subject matter. However, at the right time, I will make it known to the general public.

DREAM DESTINATION?

The planet of Mars. I really have no very fascinating dream destinations on Earth, and so when Elon Musk starts his inter planetary missions, I might be one of his first clients as I go to explore what Mars holds. Till then, no place in this world qualifies to be my dream destination.

LAST WORDS?

The young people should never forget where they are from and they should work for the futures that they wholesomely deserve. Let us work hard and remain united as we support each other. I commit myself to support any person who has music talent out there as I am already doing here at JKUAT.

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