In recent times, West and South African music and culture has flirted with the lofty heights of global success. East African music has been the sideline-watching region brewing and yielding a takeover that is inevitable. While stars such as Sofiya Nzau, hitmaker of the viral hit song “Mwaki” have become stars in their own right, East Africa and Kenya specifically has been a country waiting to seize its opportunity to offer its voice to Africa’s diverse community of artists.
In today’s article, Olawale Olaiya and Alfayo Onyango sit with two Hip Hop tastemakers Dr. Reign and Asum Garvey who teamed up to release their debut joint effort ‘Awesum Reign: The Stance’ - a chivalric and imperative statement from the Hip Hop community on various topics. From the country’s socio-political landscape “It reflected on things many Africans go through with their leadership and we felt that African artists haven’t been walking loudly enough about the impunity and poor leadership we face as a country and continent. It was recorded in late 2023 and the message is relevant to this day” Dr. Reign, a paediatrician that dabbles in music as a passion tells Deeds Magazine.
“Funny thing is the song was recorded last year but it was somewhat a prophetic song. With the ongoing protests it was just perfect timing for its release as everything aligned. Goes to show how much the politics never quite changes much” Asum Garvey shares with Deeds Magazine.
The project is also a fun-filled record that has Afro-Drill elements while possessing racey records such as “Run It Up” and more. Check out the chat below.
DEEDS: Your journey from medicine (pediatric) to hip-hop is quite unconventional. Can you walk us through how that transition happened? What inspired you to pursue rap alongside your medical career?
Reign: I always tell people that before I became a doctor I was a rapper. I started out as a freestyle and battle rap emcee when I was 15 years old. Winning my first Sprite rap competition at 16 in Botswana. At 17 I went to pursue medicine in Russia and as fate would have it I continued to pursue rap and slowly grew into a Hip Hop artist whilst pursuing a medical degree. Since coming back to Kenya and practicing it’s been a bit of a challenge balancing the two but since I got my Masters of Medicine in Paediatrics and a long hiatus I felt it’s time to get back to my first passion which is Hip Hop.
DEEDS: How did you come up with the name Dr. Reign? Is there a story behind it, and does it reflect your dual identity as both a pediatrician and a rapper?
Reign: My artist name was B-Reign, I ditched the B and put Dr to it once I became a doctor as affirmation and to represent change and transformation.
DEEDS: Asum, your work ethic is relentless. How do you balance between mixing and mastering as well as your rap career?
Asum: I made sure my job is in line with my career. As I sharpen my engineering skills, Asum is winning because his sound also evolves with working with artists of all styles. They feed each other and I feel that’s balanced enough.
DEEDS: What was the creative process like for this joint album? How did both of you write together, or did you each bring your own ideas to the table?
Reign: The first record we recorded was “Run It Up,” which was initially supposed to be my comeback single and Asum was actually just sound engineer at the time. As I recorded the verses and hook I could see Asum writing something down so I could tell he was in the zone. Told him if he’s feeling it he should jump on it. Immediately, it felt right. We then started exchanging ideas, locked in the studio and the rest is history.Asum: Some songs were ideas that we brought in in terms of the hooks but all the music was written and recorded in the studio together with the features.
DEEDS: The album blends two distinct voices—Dr. Reign and Garvey’s. How did you strike a balance between your different styles, and what themes or messages are central to the project?
Reign: My style is very NYC and Southern African Hip Hop influenced and Asum Garvey is more in tune with the urban and Shrap scene. I felt it would be great blend of bringing the both worlds together to deliver an authentic Afro Hip Hop album. The messages revolved around what we were both going through at the time as individuals and Kenyans. A message that resonates in most African settings. We opted to be authentic and not go with what’s currently trending. The album was inspired by Hip Hop at 50 years and how it’s been an Awesome Reign of Hip Hop in the past half century. Asum: The balance was easy as we’re both Hiphop heads. The main theme is sociopolitical issues in society.
DEEDS: Speak to records like “Out My Melanin” that spoke on social issues during the protests in Kenya against the finance bill and government?
Reign: “Out my Melanin” came to life after a 2-3 hour conversation we had with Asum in the studio. It reflected on things many Africans go through with their leadership and we felt that African artists haven’t been walking loudly enough about the impunity and poor leadership we face as a country and continent. It was recorded in late 2023 and the message is relevant to this day. Asum: Funny thing is the song was recorded last year but it was somewhat a prophetic song. With the ongoing protests it was just perfect timing for its release as everything aligned. Goes to show how much the politics never quite changes much.
DEEDS: What records stand out to you the most and what about them evokes you as an artist and person?
Reign: Out My MELANIN is special because it was almost prophetic. Run It Up because if we didn’t record it the way we did we probably wouldn’t have an album.
Asum: Wagwan for its high energy, Simba for uplifting and Run it up for the bars and essence of rap.
DEEDS: Kenya’s hip-hop scene is rapidly evolving. How do you see your role in shaping the sound and identity of Kenyan rap, especially as someone who comes from such a different professional background , and Asum as a seasoned vet but with a fresh take on the game?
Evolution is part of life and like all life forms we must evolve. Hip Hop has evolved in Africa. We are integrating it in Amapiano, Shrap, Afro-Drill, Arbantone etc. I represent the basics and foundation of Hip Hop which is important to have so that you can evolve into other sub genres. Asum: I’m all for evolving the music to the time while still acknowledging the history of it. Mine is to encourage thinking out of the box.
DEEDS: What message do you hope listeners take away from this collaborative project, both in terms of the music itself and the story behind it?
Reign: Be unapologetically you. Being authentic is your niche. Asum: Do what you love, block away the unnecessary noise and never be afraid to make the music you love.
DEEDS: Looking ahead, do you have plans for more joint projects together or with other Kenyan artists? What’s next for both of you in the music world?
Reign: We definitely have more music to share as Awesum Reign. Expect more collaborations and singles from Reign with other artists as well.
DEEDS: Lastly, what advice would you give to young Kenyans who might want to pursue unconventional paths, blending different careers like you have as a pediatrician and rap?
Reign: Do what you love and don’t let them box you in. A profession can be in music and can be in medicine or engineering. Music is a long game, patience and perseverance.
Asum: Be bold and do what you love but be open to new ideas.
