Anto’s “Chips Funga” Video, & A Bonus Interview

Antony Mwangi, aka AntoNeoSoul has released the much anticipated video to Chips Funga.

Chips Funga is a slang term in Kenya denoting women who are picked up for one night stands.

Anto has been in the music industry for several years, and his reputation as a live gigging musician is steadily gaining him an appreciative audience.

In addition, he’s also starred on the popular show that focuses on the current youth’s fast-lane lifestyle. Not surprisingly, the song’s message doesn’t fall far from here.

A while back I did interview Anto but the interview never got published. So this is a good time as it’s going to get to publish this.

Enjoy

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How did you get into the music scene?

I think I loved music ever since I heard it when I was a child in my mother’s wombs. My mum insists I would kick everytime she was around music or playing the LP. Did you always love it as a child? Growing up, I listened to a lot of reggae music which was a great influence from my uncles. I joined my mum’s choir in church and from class 3 I was always selected to repreent my school Lavington Primary in all musical pursuits.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am born, bred and raised in Nairobi. I have heard an amazing, strict but gret background. My parents always provided for what I wanted but never spoiled me. I grew up in a creative environment with my dad always wanting to see me and my siblings reading a book. But my parents support especially mu mum’s to nurture my talent has been the great foundation of who I am today.

You are known for your neo soul music that has been your forte for a while. Why did you choose this genre of music?

I didn’t wake up one day and say that I wanted to sing Neo Soul. Channel O played a huge role in this when I was growing up. They used to play Omar, D Angelo, Maxwell, Erykah Badu………and this got me to love the music especially Omar’s type of music. I love that I can express myself the best when I use Neo Soul as my forte.

Have you released an album?

Not yet, because I am working on a live album and it isn’t as easy as getting into a studio and voila, you have an album. I am hoping that my debut album will change how Kenyans view our music.

How long have you been singing and performing?

I have been singing since I was 7 but professionally, or commercially so to say, I would say 6 years since 2005 after I finished my O Levels

Other than as a musician, you also have acted in a few shows, locally. How did you get into acting? Did the music precede this, or did you always do both?

I was discovered by Lenny Juma who cast me for the Telkom Orange and later on for SIRI and SHUGA and I haven’t looked back.

How hard is it to be versatile as both an actor and musician?

Music and Acting are different forms of art but share a lot of forms including confidence, improvisation and need an engagement of practicing the skills to perfection.

What do you feel is the best role you’ve played as an actor?

Not yet, I have attained the greatest role so I won’t close on my opportunities and say I have had the greatest role yet, the word is yet. Anyway, Kennedy the Remedy has to be my greatest role. The funny cool guy was an amazing role with so much pressure to always impress and speaking sheng/slang for me was dope coz rarely do we have characters who are so real and tell it like it is.

Shuga – That was well received by the Kenyan youth. What message were you trying to impart? Responsible Sexual Behaviour is what we should all be advocates of and that is what SHUGA was primarily meant to bring out. Also, the need for each and every one of us to know their HIV status so they can G Panga their lives and that of their loved ones.

What do you think the impact of the show was on the lifestyle changes that Kenyans need to make.

The show allowed Kenyan youth to see themselves for who they are. This had a great cyclic effect with the youth emulating actions of those in the show and getting tested, avoiding negative friends and condomising whenever they have sex if they have to.

And what challenges have you faced as an artiste? What is the response from Kenyans when it comes to local content?

The greatest challenges are the cartels that work within the creative environment and close opportunities for upcoming artistes. It hurts to see upcoming artistes not given the opportunities and recognition they deserve. Kenyan’s love great Kenyan content. Great quality, great lyrics that are relevant and they are bought. We are very critical but we also appreciate when the production is great.

Paragasha.

Paragasha is a monthly music event that happens every last Tuesday of the month at Club Soundd. This is Kenya’s blues room. We get up and coming and celebrated musicians in one venue to perform live music, network and to grow musically.

If you had not taken up acting and music, what other path was your life charted out for? Did you have any other professions in mind?

Honestly, focus gets you what you want and I was focused to becoming an actor and a musician and I know God was right with steering me this way.

Let’s dig into your love life… are you single/dating/engaged/married?

I am single. Recently broke up.

[Aside: Anto, has this changed yet?]

If yes, to who, if you don’t mind talking about it. if no, why not?

Relationships aren’t frying eggs so let’s leave it at that.

You have a side hustle – you’re a student, and you work. What do you study/work on when it’s not about music/acting?

I study broadcast journalism and I am currently in 3^rd year specializing in electronic media. One day I will celebrated as a great film and TV producer and the journey starts in school.

What do you think can help push Kenyan content to international levels?

Better marketing platforms and as cliché as it sounds investment from corporate companies and the government to push the agenda and help market Kenya as the creative melting pot of Africa. When we also appreciate our own, which I must add should be of great quality, then the world will recognize.

Do you have any plans in the works for music/album, and on the acting scene, are you going to be participating in anything else?

I have auditioned for new roles and I hope this come into fruition soon.

@AntoNeoSoul, I hope you’ve forgiven me now for the length it’s taken to publish this. We’re good now, no?