THERE once was a time when Kay Figo, born Cynthia Kayula Bwalya looked like the next big female star.
In fact a rivalry, whether real or imagined, appeared to be forming with Mampi. But if indeed there was any, the two have certainly put it behind them. The two are now friends.
After enjoying the limelight with hits such as Kanyelele and Chachilamo, Kay Figo for some reason went quiet.
But she is back now. She recently released a single titled No Other.
“The single was written and produced by Kekero,” she said when she made an appearance on ZNBC's The Vibe with Leon Kalumiana television show a fortnight ago. “I am in the studio working on another song that I will be releasing very soon, together with a music video for it.”
Kay Figo explained what the next single is about. “It’s quite an interesting song. I won’t say much about it but it talks about where I am coming from and what I have achieved, coupled with the kind of respect I deserve from people. As Kay Figo, I have made quiet a name for myself and I deserve respect. I have been in the industry for quite some time and I was the first one to hit a million views on YouTube.
“All those that are coming to boast about hitting one billion YouTube views, they should know that I did it first. I am not hating on anyone, people should just respect that I did it first. That is what the latest song that I will be releasing very soon is talking about. I just finished shooting the video for the song. People should expect it very soon.”
Kay Figo said before she signed to Kalandanya Music Promotions (KMP), she used to feel lazy recording and releasing songs. “But now that I have been signed, I have become very busy because of the morale that has been restored,” she said.
She said she signed to KMP because she enjoys good relations with the proprietor of the label, Bwalya Kalandanya. “We have come a long way with Bwalya Kalandanya. I would say he has been my fan from way back and that is why I didn’t hesitate to sign for him when the call came,” she said.
Kay Figo who has had quite her own share of negative shade thrown her way says the industry isn’t very kind to female artistes. But she found a way of going round it.
“I have been through that a lot - from the time of that white man. People were talking and they said a lot of things that they didn’t know about. They were just judging me from what they had seen on social media - so, I have been through that but all you have to do is to hold your head high and say ‘no one can bring me down’. If people are talking about you, it means you are doing something and they are noticing you,” she said.
She said she managed to pull through the turmoil and negative shade she received especially on social media by not paying attention to them.
She said: “I am strong.” “I used to respond to negative comments on my social media handles back then, but now, I have stopped doing that. I don’t even read the comments anymore and people complain that I don’t engage with my fans. That has worked for me,” she said.
Kay Figo also added that the Zambian music industry lacks unity and is full of pretenders, especially among female artistes.
“When I just came into the game, it was bad, especially among female artistes. People even started saying that I was trying to be like someone else. There is no unity in the game. People pretend a lot in the industry. I have just decided to live my life the way it is and not try to impress anyone. If my fans think that I am supposed to be getting along with people that they like and I am not and they feel bad about it, I don't care,” she said.
She continued: “I have tried my level best to unite the industry and it cannot work. So, I have just told myself to live my life and do my own thing. I am not going to lose anything. There is no unity in the industry. If you get along with someone, then that is fine. If you don’t, that is also fine - just forget about it.”
Kay Figo said she has helped and groomed a lot of artistes in the music industry not because she expected favours, but because she feels happy to extend a helping hand.
She advised upcoming artistes to be humble and stay focused as they look for the right connections that can help spur them to stardom.
“Just believe in yourself as an artiste and don’t follow anybody blindly, you will be misled. Macky 2 is a good guy and he gives very good advice and is willing to help anyone. We need more people like him,” she said.
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