Music careers enhanced through Artists for Refugees Project

Guy Watunda performing his song 'Yozamalamu' during World Refugee Day 2017 event in Nairobi.
© UNHCR/T.Jones

34 year old Guy Watunda is preparing to launch his third studio album this year. Guy fled to Kenya from Congo in 2004, fearing for his life.

His journey as a musician started in Congo when he was a young boy. “I joined a band when I was only 12 years old.” He says. “When I arrived here I continued to sing because this is my talent.”

Guy joined the Artists for Refugees project in 2016 when it kicked off for the first time in Nairobi. He admits that the project has given him a platform to learn and acquire new knowledge.

“I did not know about the use of social media to market my music and for promotion.” He says. “I have learnt how to compose powerful songs which people cannot forget.”

Being a gospel artist, Guy says he did not face any form of discrimination throughout the project last year. The project is for all talented refugee musicians in Kenya.

“I have learnt how to compose powerful songs which people cannot forget.”

This year’s phase comes after a successful 2016 where more than 30 refugee musicians were trained. The training culminated in the release of the first ever refugee album in Kenya ‘Refugeenius’.

The album which is a compilation of 18 songs by refugees from South Sudan, Somalia, Congo, Burundi and one Kenyan was launched in Nairobi in December 2016 at the annual Artists for Refugees gala.

Additionally, 12 videos off the ‘Refugeenius’ album were released, some of which are getting airplay on local and regional stations.

“The Refugeenius album is a celebration of human wealth and the innovation and entrepreneurship spirit we see among refugees in all the camps,” says Henry Ohanga, lead artist mentor for music trainees. “We are making a statement that – they are people like you and me,” he added.

One of the songs in the album titled ‘Yozamalamu’, that means ‘Thank you God for being good’ was written by Guy Watunda. “This is one song that people really loved and appreciated. I never thought my song could be loved this much. In my opinion, it was a hit song,” Watunda says.

“The Refugeenius album is a celebration of human wealth and the innovation and entrepreneurship spirit we see among refugees in all the camps.”

Through partnerships with Danish Refugee Council (DRC), UNHCR gave grants to artists as part of the livelihood strategy to promote self-reliance. Watunda received a grant of KES 68,000 (USD 680). “I used the money to buy a duplicator so I am now able to dub my music.” He explained. “I also used some of the money to record a song and shoot a music video.”

The anticipation and enthusiasm among the refugee artists was evident at the beginning of the first Phase of the Artists for Refugees project in Nairobi.  In one of the sessions held in the populous suburbs of Eastleigh, the class was abuzz with questions regarding album promotion and event organizing.

This phase of music training saw 26 artists trained on event management and planning, digital marketing, brands and branding, digital music sales and digital stores, intellectual property rights and fundraising for events.

The lead artist, Henry Ohanga commonly referred as Octopizzo also incorporated mentorship sessions from key players and local artists in the Kenyan music industry to create linkages between refugees and showbiz market in Kenya.

Guy Watunda takes notes during one of the sessions in Eastleigh, Nairobi. Photo UNHCR/C.Opile

27 year old Eric Museveni from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) received a guitar from lead artist Octopizzo at the beginning of the training for his hardwork and commitment. Photo by Octopizzo Foundation

Lead artist Henry Ohanga conducts a session during the training Photo by Octopizzo Foundation

Lead artist Henry Ohanga conducts a session during the training Photo by Octopizzo Foundation

Lead artist Henry Ohanga conducts a session during the training Photo by Octopizzo Foundation

Lead artist Henry Ohanga conducts a session during the training Photo by Octopizzo Foundation

At least five of the trainees were hosted by Willy M. Tuva on his music program Mseto East Africa radio and TV shows, part of Royal Media Services stable in Kenya.  Out of the 5, one of the artists was hosted on a live radio and TV show, while the other 4 were recorded sessions.

Similar trainings will be conducted in Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps that will culminate in an annual gala for the artists under the project. It is anticipated that by end of 2017, more than 150 refugees and Kenyans will have benefited from the project and further honed their skills and talents to earn a living.

Artists for Refugees is a livelihood project for talented refugees in Nairobi, Kakuma and Dadaab. The UNHCR funded project began in 2015, initially implemented by Film Aid International in Kenya and currently being implemented in the three locations with support from Danish Refugee Council, a key livelihood partner for UNHCR Kenya.

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