ANTHONY MWANGI: THE MAN BEHIND PARAGASHA!!!

Tell us a bit about yourself – I am a 25 year old fresh, sultry, versatile and passionate Neo Soul Musician, Actor (Siri CITIZEN and SHUGA MTV), Poet, MC  and student at UoN where I am majoring in broadcast journalism. Music is my passion and is my instrument to spread good vybes about love, life, family and experiences. I enjoy reading a lot as it’s the cheapest way to travel and interacting – whether at school motivating students, MCiing or just hanging out.

 Where did you grow up? School life? And what you do – I am born and bred in Nairobi, schooled in Lavington Primary and thereafter in Upper Hill. I am currently a copywriter/creative writer having worked in the advertising and film industry for close to 3 years now. I pioneered a show called Paragasha that happens every last Tuesday of the month at Club Soundd and that also keeps me busy every month.

How did you begin your journey to music? – My music journey began in primary school when I was selected to solo in our class presentation. The teachers were so amazed at my singing and when my dad came to watch my presentation, the response from everybody was a testament that I was ready for more. I knew I was born to be a musician at that moment. The accolade lead me to represent my zone in Kenya Music Festival emerging second country wide, I was also very privileged to meet the late Cardinal Maurice Otunga and even Rtd. H.E Daniel Arap Moi, all thanks to my talent. That faith kept my music dream alive and even when I was ejected from Idols top 24, I didn’t let that kill me but it made me stronger . I have never looked back ever since.

Paragasha theme nights, what are they about? – Paragasha is a celebration of music and live music for that matter. The serene environment of Paragasha offers revelers an opportunity to listen to live music from various musicians backed by a band. We perform original tunes and this has allowed us to enlarge our fan base.  People have received Paragasha with so much love and great reviews.

Tell us about the current projects your working on – I am currently working on scripts for yet o be revealed projects. I am also gearing to shoot some short films whose ideas and development I have been very instrumental in. this is at my work place at Al Is On Production.

I am also working on songs for my debut album. I am currently signed to S2N Management label with my album ready to be distributed by KOCH distribution.

Together with Joey Muthengi, we are this year’s Insyder Skiza Chaguo la Teeniez Awards MCs and this is a major career breakthrough so let’s see how that goes. I am super excited though.

I am writing more and with the new knowledge that I have on creative writing, I am working on a radio play, screen play and a short story. I am sure the latter will blow Kenyans away.

Yes, and school………. exams, school and more exams.

 Do you have a role model? As cliché as it sounds, my role model has to be my mum. She has endured so much to be where she is. She works so hard and still looks youthful, I work as hard because she has inspired me to just believe I can be what I want to be and listen to the voice within and always put God first.  She’s also taught me to remain humble and respect everybody no matter how one looks, come from…. My other role model has to be Boniface Mwangi…………..Google please! What he has done to promote a peaceful non discriminating world is humbling.

 Do you see yourself as a role model to other Kenyans especially the
youth? – I believe that there are young people out there who look at me and are inspired by what I do, say or engage in. I am not perfect but I believe I am an epitome that talent pays, hard work pays off and humility never killed anyone.

 Favorite song? And why? Out of my own compositions, “Addicted” has to be my new favourite. “have you ever fallen in love that it turned into an addiction?” damn, that song is also so well arranged and thought out by Paragasha band, it’s a classic.

My other favourite soong internationally has to be Asa’s Bibanke – no other song has had me on goosebumps as many times as this one.

 Any awards we should know about?

2009 MTV MAMA nominee for My Video Award

 If I gave you an elephant where would you hide it?

Why would I hide an elephant? I’d build a zoo and make money out of it! hehehehehe

 What is your favorite color of socks to wear?
black – goes with any shoes, trousers …..

 Do you enjoy your celebrity star status?

Been on the spotlight means that I end up acting sometimes in real life and I have so much responsibility to be wary of my actions, however, I get favours when I go to banks. No long queues, cheques are processed faster. I have recently received 2 phones coz of MCing and I can say, this Nokia X2 is an amazing phone and a great gift. My brother was in hospital recently and a certain doctor took extra care of him because he had seen me on TV. He would dedicate his free hours to check on my brother who honestly started feeling better with all the great attention he was receiving.

 If you were given a chance, would you enter Big Brother Africa? And if
so, what would be your strategy to win?
 I would enter BBA if it wasn’t live 24/7.

As for a strategy, remain silent and “forgotten” for a while until you get to the last streak and the continent realizes they had forgotten all about you, then unleash my real comic self.

If not that, I’d be singing everyday so I get new fans, new opportunity to be known all over Africa and if I don’t win the $200k, I’d sure win millions of fans.

 What is your favorite daily wear attire?

T Shirt, jeans, designer shoes and geek shades. My profession allows me to wear that way unless I am working as an MC, going to a high profile event or meeting very formal corporate clients then I get to wear Kaveke. He dresses me for formal events and the works and has never let me down.

 Women or Cars?

I am a man born of a woman so I know women are awesome people.

Who according to you is the best dressed woman in Kenya?

Emma Too – she is forever gracious

Who according to you is the worst dressed woman in Kenya?

Samuel Wanjiru’s wife – she went to court in a red shining gown.