Kericho: In the quiet outskirts of Kericho Town, tucked inside Nyagacho Estate, three young artists are using music and poetry to voice the frustrations, dreams, and struggles of a generation.
According to Kenya News Agency, the trio comprised of Clinton Kiplang’at alias Dabb Ace the Producer, Fredrick Eter alias Preacher Sancho the rapper, and Dennis Kombo alias Denkuz the poet, are making waves in their neighborhood and among growing online audiences, despite not being widely known. Their art is beginning to strike a powerful chord, offering a platform for expression and advocacy for social change.
These young artists balance their passion for music with hustles like selling shoes and secondhand clothes to make ends meet. They find peace and purpose through art, a journey they began in 2015 when they formed a group called Big Minds. Initially lacking access to a studio, they relied on a phone recording app, borrowed headphones, and improvised spaces in their bedrooms to produce songs.
Denkuz shared that although their sound quality was low at first, their music’s messages resonated with the community. Dabb Ace, who started as a beatmaker in 2012 using only his phone, and Preacher Sancho, known for his gospel raps since primary school, both developed their crafts early on. When they met in Nyagacho, they realized a shared purpose and chose to pursue music together, despite familial pressure to follow a more traditional career path.
As they upgraded their equipment, their sound improved, and they distributed their songs through social media. Their following grew, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many Kenyans sought entertainment online. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube became key to their expanding audience.
Despite ongoing challenges, including the high cost of recording music and limited airplay opportunities, they continue to use their art to inspire and educate. Their music addresses pressing issues such as drug abuse, unemployment, sexual exploitation, and mental health, aiming to push for change.
Although no longer performing as a group, with each member pursuing solo careers, their bond remains strong. They support one another and continue to perform at community events, youth forums, and church gatherings, using every opportunity to reach people with their messages.
They sustain themselves with small businesses like selling shoes and clothes but dream of living off their art full-time. Dabb Ace expressed his hope to focus solely on creating music in the future, demonstrating their resilience and determination to make an impact.
Their story, from the narrow streets of Nyagacho to listeners across the country, reflects hope and resilience. To many young Kenyans facing modern life’s pressures, their music is a voice, a mirror, and a reminder that change begins with those who dare to speak.