We've became acquainted with him through Milele (who are jetting in for the launch) and more recently the Mavuno Worship Project. Kanjii is a singer, songwriter, worship leader and performer extraordinaire. We recently caught up with him despite his busy practice schedule leading up to the launch of his debut solo album.

KenyanGospel.com: Congratulations on your album "Stories" dropping on 7th December 2008. How excited are you?
Kanjii: I'm exceedingly excited. I'm very proud of the music and I'm sure people are going to love it. I can't wait for them to hear.

KG: Is it significant that you are launching your debut album after ten years in the game?
Kanjii: Well, the past 10 years have seen me do what I am passionate about. It has been an incredible blessing and a journey that has led me to this defining moment. I have to admit that half of the time I did not really know what I was doing, but it all has been orchestrated by God. The Stories album launch is a reverberating statement to the world that the few of us who believe in decency and a moral code are taking back the music and entertainment industry for a higher purpose. This is in response to the revelation that society being a reflection on art is a huge determinant in defining popular culture.

KG: What creative process did you go through to create this album?
Kanjii: This album was fun. I had a lot of fun in the studio. I worked with Kaima Mwiti (lead producer), my boy from Milele. Basically we started out just trying to make some songs. The exceptional thing is that this album was not by design. I just happened to discover that a lot of what I present is in story format. I realized that I am indeed an urban story teller. I wrote some songs on the piano and then we produced afterwards. Either way, I wrote most of the songs over time with input from a wide array of people from Astar to Chizi. This album can thus be described as a collection of my observations told in story format. No prizes for guessing where the album title came from.

KG: How was that different from Milele projects and Mavuno Worship Project?
Kanjii: It was a very similar writing process but it was spread out over a longer period of time because this is my very first album. I had access to almost everything I needed. I also had a say in what sound I wanted. It was efficient, quite productive, and I think the results are great. I have seen provision and favor that can only be described as miraculous (But God!!!) especially in these days leading up to the album launch.

KG: So it is easily comparable to your previous work with Milele and Mavuno?
Kanjii: Quality wise, most definitely. Stylistically, Stories is very me. For instance if we take a look at Monday - the last Milele album, that was very out there whereas the Mavuno Worship Project is worship music for this continent and primarily based our relationships with God. On the other hand Stories is very directly Kanjii. It is as gospel as gospel gets.

KG: What do you mean?
Kanjii: Gospel music transcends salvation. I believe that gospel music must touch every facet of life. Through my stories I address issues such as leadership, love and politics using my Christian worldview. Listen and you'll hear God's truth.

KG: I heard that your favorite song that you have written to date is "Aumbe". And it's on this album.
Kanjii: You know it's funny because I said that statement right before I made the rest of the album. I said it a while back. But it's still one of my favorites and I think it's one of my best examples of songwriting. And it's not just the recording, but the actual songwriting, the lyrics and the concept and the delivery of the song. So it's still one of my favorites but I think my favorite record on this album is "Stand Up Young Man"

KG: Could you give us a little background on that track?
Kanjii: It is simply a story of Social Justice. The young men/women of this great continent have been sidelined for too long by loquacious tales of being the future of this continent. Africa is 70% under the age of 30 we are not the future we are the here and now.

KG: Is there somebody in the future that you're looking forward to working with?
Kanjii: Yes. Jonathan Butler and of course Fred Hammond!!!

KG: Everyone is crazy about your song "Just a Man" is it reflective of your own life?
Kanjii: Just a man is about all the men out there, myself included. Every man has the capacity to impact thousands of lives. That impact begins with the statement 'I'm just a man!' This is a realization not of our inabilities but our limitations.

KG: Parting shot
Kanjii: "Time and Chance happen to them all. "Ecclesiastes 9.11 I taken me about 10 years to finally release my solo debut album! However throughout the years God has been preparing me, teaching me, molding me, that when this moment would arrive. it would not pass me by. but instead that it would catapult me to my destiny.

Time and Chance happen to ALL!! Hold on, be strong, and learn what needs to be learnt while you wait for your moment in time

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