This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
Published on May 15, 2020, by Abigail Arunga, a renowned author at the Nation.
Billy Black, a 26-year-old sound engineer from Migori, has always been fascinated by sound. Growing up, he paid close attention to music, and his love for it only grew stronger.
After completing his degree in sound engineering at the School of Audio Engineering in Cape Town, Billy pursued a career in music. He currently records and mixes his own music, as well as for other artists.
When asked about his musical inspirations, Billy mentioned that he aspires to create a unique sound, but hasn't found a musician whose style perfectly fits his own. However, he believes that his music would resonate with audiences of artists like Alicia Keys, Coldplay, or Simi from Nigeria.
Billy also expressed his admiration for Kenyan music, citing its diversity as a major advantage. He noted that Kenyan music is making its way across the world, with a growing global audience paying attention.
During his time in South Africa, Billy faced geographical and cultural differences as a student and musician. However, he found that music was a powerful tool that bridged cultural gaps. He even signed a non-exclusive publishing deal for his music, which he considers a great achievement.
When asked about his favorite music to dance to, Billy revealed that his playlist is quite mellow and he doesn't often play music specifically for dancing. However, he does enjoy dancing at weddings.
