Charles Righa aka Rigga is part of the Hip Hope family based at Kijiji Records. He is a solo artist by his own right and has an album (The Awakening) to his name. Infact, he was the first rapper at Kijiji Records. He has had several radio singles that you are familiar with including Ibada Yangu and Sifa that features Kanjii. (They are on rotation on the new KenyanGospel.com Radio) Today, he launches his first music video called "The Tongue" from the album that was released in late 2007. Previously he has done a track with DNG called Anza Tena (watch the video here). But Rigga's story has also had some setbacks. "The story of my birth... there were complications with the pregnancy during the delivery. Apparently I was entangled in my umbilical cord and the doctor told my mom that he could only save one of us..." Read what happened next and know more about his life beyond the music.

Tell us about your childhood and growing up in a single parent family
My childhood has been all over the place. I was born in Nairobi but when I was about a year old my Mom and I moved to the UK for about 4 years after which I came back to Kenya. I then went to Kilimani Primary School until class four... then we moved again. We lived in Ethiopia and I attended an international school from 5th to 8th grade. Before Ethiopia I was really timid and private but it was there that I discovered a love for basketball, hanging out with people from all over the world and music; especially Hiphop. In 2001, my Mom and I moved back to Nairobi. For my secondary education I was blest to go to Sunshine Secondary School. This was where I wrote my first rhymes and started rapping. Sunshine was also responsible for my love for dance and ministry.

When did you get saved?
I got saved at the first Extreme Weekend concert that Lighthouse church held in 2000 at Kasarani Stadium. I still lived in Ethiopia but I was able to visit Kenya over the summer break. As the minister of the word spoke, I knew he was speaking to ME! He even made a prophecy that God would use some of the people at the altar for music ministry. Something inside me said,"That's you!" I hadn't even written my first rhymes yet...who would have thought!

Go on..
I still struggled living a truly Christian life, despite being brought up in a Christian home. I had always gone to church ever since I can remember. I knew of God but didn't really know Him.. until that day at Extreme....but I really got to know him from Form 1 in Sunshine. The C.U was responsible for strengthening my feeble knees and teaching me to walk with God. I grew to love God with my peers.
 

Share the story of your birth and the complications that arose
There were complications with the pregnancy during the delivery. Apparently I was entangled in my umbilical cord and the doctor told my mom that he could only save one of us. My mom chose me. She wasn't saved, but that day she made the first real prayer she had ever made (her mother and sister were saved at the time...so she knew of God) She told God that if we both lived, she'd give our lives to Him... and God saved us. No one can convince me that God doesn't love me!! I've seen Him from day one...literally.

Wow! That's some story there. How did you get yourself into music and finally into Kijiji Records?
Sunshine was where I met my first producer - Babz the Undadawg. (Undadawg Productions) He was a year ahead of me and knew early on that music production was what he wanted to do. We made a couple tracks on a Yamaha PSR keyboard in school and after school he started building his studio from the ground up!! He even went for a sound engineering course that was taught by Kanjii Mbugua at Kijiji. God works mysteriously! When I cleared school, we used Kanjii's studio to record a song and Kanjii liked what he heard....I guess the rest is history. I became the first rapper in the Kijiji stable - before Astar, before Blackman. I used to be the kid that hung around the studio. I was 17 years old and wasn't even old enough to sign a contract. But I thank God for both Astar and Blackman because Hiphope was their brainchild. I just jumped on the vision that God gave them. Juliani jumped in shortly after followed by Michelle. That is Hiphope Generation One! Generation Two now has Ciiru, Dee and Bupe. That's Hiphope!
 

Rigga on the set of his video shoot "The Tongue" view more pics

Tell us about your album, the message and its target
My latest album "The Awakening" was released on Dec 21st 2007 (Check out the pictures of the launch here). The message that runs through the album in its entirety is for the church to arise and be the beautiful bride of that Christ pictured when He gave His life for us. For too long the body of Christ has been dormant and we have to be that light that shines to all men... that generation that turns the world upside down. God has already started depositing things for a follow up project soon... but not too soon!

Lastly, anyone special in your life (if you know what we mean)?
Nothing so far. It's a touchy subject for many, but you know as Christians we're a peculiar species. Everything must be based on God's specific direction and timing. Still waiting on mine!

There you have it. Rigga is currently at the University of Nairobi pursing a Degree in Law. Check out the debut of his new video called My Tongue here

VIEW MORE PICTURES OF THE VIDEO SHOOT

My Tongue video shoot: The crew shows of their tongues!