THIS GENIUS GIRL WILL AMAZE YOU! SINGER QUEEN HILDAH MASIKA

Sita zama, yesu yuko na mi. Sita zama, yuupade wangu. Thank you. I'm Queen Hilda Masika. I love God. I'm saved. Queen Hilda Masika is a gospel musician. I do everything in the gospel. I can do praise, I can do worship, I can do reggae, I can do rumba, everything. One remarkable thing about Queen Hilda is that she began singing when she was five. Six Six years. And right now you're 16? Six It's been ten years in the industry. First, I want to understand, growing up, what was your first interaction with music that made you fall in love with it? First of all, I used to love dancing before I started singing. I was a dancer—I used to dance in church, I used to dance at home, and also in schools. So that's actually what brought me to where I am today. And then one day I saw Prisma Kena singing in her house. That's when I started asking my dad; I was five years old at the time. I began asking my dad, I want to sing like Prisma Kena. He's a kid, he can sing, so I can too. So Dad was like, "Let the kid finish first." He's not a good person; he doesn't know what he's talking about. And then after a while, I continued singing, and then I decided, "Dad, listen to me—let me try doing something on my own." So I went to the TV station, and Prisma Kena was singing. I decided to go to the TV station and sing with her. Then I turned on the TV; my mom turned it on for me. Then after a while, Dad took me again. I realized maybe that time I hadn't done it well, so let me try it again. So I decided to turn on the TV once more. I was six years old at the time. So when I turned on the TV again, Dad said, "Let me take you to the studio." He saw something in me, so he decided, "Let's just give it a try." The producer's name was Phillip. The first music I did was called Come and Drink. I actually had fun. I didn't have any plans. I just followed the producer's instructions. I had already interacted with the producer before, but I didn't know he was a producer. So I went to the studio. First of all, I knew him. Second of all, he was the son of the producer, so I didn't have a hard time. Did you ever feel like you missed out on something during your growing up because you were so deeply focused on creating new music? To be honest, yes. Because sometimes music—or rather, my celebrity life—doesn't allow you to do what you love. It's just commitment, you see. So you just have to commit yourself. Because sometimes you can meet your friends, tomorrow they're going somewhere interesting, but then you can't go because you're already somewhere else singing. It's tough, but we just let it go. You started singing when you were 6 years old. How long did it take you to do your first performance in front of an audience? My first performance? Nine years. So that's after about 3 years? Yes. How many songs did you have? 5 songs In 3 years? Yes. Since your dad took you to the studio for your first session, how has your parents' support been? My parents' support has been good. They do everything for me. They buy me clothes to shoot. They pay someone to do my makeup. They pay for video filming. If it's a collaboration, then they have to pay the person I'm collaborating with. This young girl over here, at just 16 years old, has already done nearly six collaborations with international stars. Let's start with the first artist you collaborated with. My name is Sanim Kumbu. Who was he? Joseph Nyuki, but I think he stopped singing. At that time he was a hit. After that, I did a collaboration with Joseph Nyuki and Maningwe at the same time. After that, I collaborated with Mr. Sid in 2018. In 2020 I collaborated with Mr. Sid and David Wanda. Then in 2021 I did a collaboration with Masi Masika and Good Luck Ghozbat at the same time. How many artists are there in total? Joseph Nyuki, Maningwe, David Wanda, Mr. Sid, Masi Masika, and Good Luck Ghozbat. I've heard there's another collaboration with a major artist you haven't done yet. What are you planning to do? Before the end of this term we will record and shoot, but I don't think we will upload anytime soon. I think uploading it might be around August or September, since we have other songs to upload first. You're out there, you're famous, people know you sing. But you are still in school. First of all, how do you balance your career as a teacher and as an artist? Secondly, how is the interaction with the students? Do they see you as a celebrity or as their teacher? The real thing here, I think, is just being myself. I decided to just be myself, because when I come to school, I start acting. I am a musician. There are certain people I have to talk to, and there are certain people I don't have to talk to. So I just decided, let me be me. I am a very interactive person. That really helps me. I interact with people. I don't have any problems. I talk to people. I am friendly. So I don't have a hard time. Is this the only school where you have studied? No. In primary school, I studied in Kitale. It was called Mount Algon Academy. I joined Form 1, and that is where I studied. How are you balancing now? Did you have music classes when you were still in school? Or can you even go on holiday to do music? When I'm at school, I only write my songs on weekends. After that, I just practiced. When I go home, I take one day. I stay in the studio all day. I like 6 songs. The next day I shoot videos of all six songs. Those are a lot of songs. When I go back to school, They just upload. They upload one or two songs. I don't have a hard time. When I am at school, They come and pick me up. I don't know how to sing. So your music doesn't affect your studies? It doesn't affect my studies. I have prepared myself well. It does affect education at times. But it's not that bad. On Saturdays we don't study. It's just personal study. Things like meetings and crusades. Sometimes I have to leave. I have to attend them. My dad is coming on Friday after lunch. After lunch we don't have classes. He arrives on Friday after lunch. I'm returning on Sunday. On Monday I am in class. How are you doing at school? My performance is not bad. It's okay. Is that something you can be proud of? Yes, it's something I can be proud of. I would like to know when was the first time You made money. in music? How old were you? When I was 10. How much was it? I don't tell people that. I was told I should keep that secret. Is it good money? Yeah, it's good money. I don't tell them. I don't tell people. I think it's a safety issue. I also want to know based on your experience making music with these celebrities what are some of the things Have you learned from them? Okay. I have learned that All people are different. When you look at someone and then you meet him or her in person They are two different people. Two different people completely I think this reality show Size 8 when you watch the reality show and then you come and check the gospel music She's doing, Size 8 is a very dramatic person. When you watch the reality show She loves to sing. And for some reason, she loves to talk. and when you watch her singing She looks so innocent. So calm. So people are different? Yeah, people are different. Which has been your favorite collaboration? Among the ones you have done? The one I did with Masi Masika and Good Luck Gospel. Masi Masika has hit over a million? Yes. How much has Good Luck reached? It has reached 1,600 views. So it's progressing slowly. Which collaboration have you truly wanted? what you still haven't accomplished? I haven't achieved it yet. But I've wanted it for a long time. This Nigerian woman Not Ada I have already communicated with her. Who sang "Sweet Jesus"? What is her name? I don't know. Judy K and Masichinwo. But it's Judy K. So Judy K, if you're watching this Queen Hilda wants a collab with you or wants to feature you in her songs. Actually, your dad told me that Since you are small, you have been writing Your songs. Yes, I write my own songs. Have you ever had no lyrics? I have never had any lyrics. Songs just come out of nowhere I guess. I just sit like this and then I start singing. After singing a chorus I realize This song is new. I have never sung this song before. I have never heard anyone sing it before. Then I start writing. I open the Bible and look for the verses. Where they are. You can put them in the chorus. Yes. So that's how your creative process works. Do you just build the chorus? Yes. I just built the chorus and then I look for the verses from the Bible verse I don't have to look for the Bible verse. Sometimes I just write without the Bible. Sometimes I read the Bible. And then I start singing. Yes. How long does it take you? to write one song? I think 10 minutes or 15 minutes. 10 minutes. Wow. Guys, That is very interesting. What would you tell parents? who says They don't want their child. to go into music or pursue her passion And they want her to study first. Because the way we are looking at you your parents were able to Make you do both at the same time. So what would you tell the parents? who says First study, then sing. I think if you have money and you believe You can truly support your daughter. or your son I think you should do that. Because I don't think education is everything. Because There are people who have studied abroad. and they don't have work They have nothing to do. That talent can take them to new heights. That talent can help you as a single parent to go from that point to another point To be honest. Also I think I think it's so hurting to tell a child to study first And stop doing those other things. There are some people. who simply are not meant for education. Because I have a cousin whose education has gone to waste. He loves sports. And he is very good at it. So if you decide to support your child Actually, you will see The outcome is very good. because he loves doing it or she loves doing it. This education You are forcing him or her to do it. He will be like I'm doing this for her I'm not doing it for myself. He will do it. to get what he wants even though He might not get what he wants. But he will get it. because he loves what he is doing. And then I think those people who are starting music industry Don't give up. Keep on going. You will make it. To my parents I want to say thank you for being supportive. There are so many parents who actually can't do that Whatever you are doing. I really appreciate it. Thank you. My name is Vizenta Ali from Entertainment PA. A is always for Amazing. I have been telling a story. with Queen Hilda. I will leave. But I will leave her here. to sing one of her favorite Songs. From me Goodbye. Hilda Michael Newman Yes