A new singing sensation is born and her name is Alicios Theluji. Just In case you haven’t heard about her, or you don’t own her new hit song “mpita njia” featuring Juliana Kanyomozi already; its our pleasure to introduce you to her.
Born Alice Zeluji (Zeluji is the same as Theluji; except that Zeluji is with a Congolese Swahili accent) in the Democratic republic of Congo, Kivu Province, Alicios has quickly claimed the respect of her peers, fans, music executives, industry producers with her first signle. It is safe to say that she’s now the really deal in East, Central Africa. In fact, a friend of ours at MTV Base recently mentioned how ‘they cant wait for her whole album to be released’.
Blessed with a unique voice, she’s also a beautiful and confident young woman filled with both resolve and humility. Even more impressive, when you get a chance to converse with her, you instantly realise she’s armed with brains way beyond her youthful years. Moreover, the fact that she can also sing in four different languages (English, Swahili, Lingala, French) broadens her reach and gives her a distinctive ability to reach out to different people.
Having moved to Nairobi as a refugee at a young age and now primarily based in Sweden, Alicios worldview is very mature and impressive; even better, she’s determined to put in all the work necessary to succeed on her own terms unlike most up and coming artists today. Alicios, wont compromise her most basic principles to get where she wants to be! Acquainted both politically and socially with issues facing Africa and Africans today, TAP magazine recently met up with Alicios and the following is a small transcript of our discussion. Hope you enjoy it and remember, this won’t be the last time you hear from her.
Who is Alicios Theluji?
Alicios Theluji: Alicios is a very humble and a down to earth person. She is a girl with so much to say and last but not least, an east and central Africa’s new sensation.
TAPmag: Who inspires Alicios the most in this world!
Alicios Theluji: My mother, Jacky! She has been both my mother and my father and at the same time just like most African mothers, she is 2 mothers and a half.
TAPmag: What’s your relationship with Congo, Kenya and Sweden?
Alicios Theluji: I would say Congo is my biological mother, Kenya is like my adoptive mother and Sweden is this third woman who assists my two mothers on raising me. I love all three… and as you can see, I know the way home!!!
TAPmag: Was Alicios a naughty/shy girl in school? did you have a nickname?
Alicios Theluji: Very shy…the nickname was ”batoto”… you can guess how it started.
TAPmag:
Mpita njia was produced by R-Kay; how did that happen?Alicios: I noticed a different style in the Kenyan music industry when I started hearing R-Kay’s name. He brought a unique sound full of Zouk and I was already familiar with zouk so I really liked his style. I recall when ”yuanitaka”, by Mr Googz came out, or ”Katika” by deaux voltures and many other hits came out I started recognising R-KAY’S sound without even being told it was him on the track. More importantly, he also understands ”congolese rumba” to some point so…. he was just the right guy for my songs!
TAPmag: Most people who know you did not know that you’re a talented musician until ‘mpita njia” come out! why is that?
Alicios Theluji: First of all, I’m very shy, or should I say was. I had to work on that first for me to be able to take my music to the next level. Previously, I wasn’t comfortable shooting my music videos or even recording my songs when people (artist) kept on going in and out of the studio while I was recording. Also, back then, the music industry at home wasn’t really something a parent wished their daughter to end up in. In short, I loved singing but hated the industry hence people didn’t get to know I can sing. Lastly, I was VERY good at school… thus all my uncles and other family members were expecting/pushing for me to end up in a different “professional” path and that made me fight and push back my love for music for a very long time until I ”surrendered”. Actually, I might call this first album ”surrender” as its really the only word that can explain what happened!
TAPmag: What was the inspiration behind “Mpita Njia?
Alicios Theluji: Mpita njia is a true story. Except that in real life, I played the role that Juliana sings. But hey, the ”mpita njia” never fooled me. At first I was stubborn but at the back of my mind I knew my friend could have been right, so I watched this guy very carefully and as soon as he started showing me those ”mpita njia” signs I made him step outside my life.He had truly been a ”mpita njia” in the past and since she had been ”jealous” things got a bit dramatic and the words ”pili pili usio ila ya ku washia nini” did come out of my mouth. I guess everyone is ”mpita njia”, until they find ”the one”.
September 6, 2015, 5:11 am
Namkubali saana Alicios kwa song zake zote, hakika ninampenda kwa dhati kotokana na music anavyo imba. GOD BLESS ALICIO THELUJI. ♥♥♥