Kenyan rapper Wangechi disclosed the financial breakdown for her track "Sana Sana," revealing total production costs of Ksh180,000. The song, initially written in 2017 and recorded in 2018, was officially released in 2019 after a year-long development process.
As a rapper, I write after a beat, she explained during a KISS FM interview. The creative process involves crafting lyrics around pre-produced instrumental tracks.
The financial breakdown included Ksh20,000 for studio time and beat production, Ksh130,000 for video production, Ksh15,000 for marketing, and Ksh5,000 for transportation between radio stations. Wangechi emphasized that her investment in equipment eliminated director fees, as she rents out cameras and lenses to filmmakers.
I own the equipment used for video shoots, so I don't need to pay director fees because I rent them out, including lenses. This strategy reduces production costs significantly.
Collaboration with rapper Scar Mkadinali marked a pivotal moment in the project. Mkadinali revealed he waited months to secure a feature on the track, ultimately contributing a verse that reshaped the song's direction.
I want to thank Wangechi who has put me out there. I sent her my verse after she shared the "Sana Sana" track and knew exactly what to put in. Her feedback pushed me to refine my contribution.
Wangechi confirmed the collaboration transformed the project, requiring her to rework the track's arrangement. The final product, available on YouTube, showcases both artists' growth through the creative exchange.
