As Nigeria celebrates its 55th Independence today, Chocolate City songstress, Victori Kimani has celebrated the country which houses her label with an emotion-laden message.
The budding singer harped on the love and acceptance she’s gotten from the country’s citizens since signing with the Chocolate City imprint.
She also reveals she gets a lot of flak from her Kenyan natives who accuse her of spending more time in Nigeria than Kenya.
“I could choose to highlight all the negativity I get from my Fellow Kenyans for spending so much of my time in Nigeria…..but I won’t” she wrote in a lengthy instagram post.
Detailing her journey to stardom, the singer further wrote:
“This picture was taken in Lagos. ..on stage and this is a Beautiful Kenyan Lady that walked up to pat me on the back …..This was a very emotional moment for me because…… Rewind…. There I was ….This Kenyan American girl who had been saving up her coins, coming home to Kenya every year for about 8 years ….releasing music …collaborating with my brothers Bamboo, Kimya, singing back up for The Amazing Mercy Myra, recording, networking ….hustling to get my music out there ….and finally getting a breakthrough via @choccitymusic ….A Record Label based in Nigeria.
Funny how God works …I had already lived in Benin City Nigeria as a teenager with my Missionary parents….and I swore I would never be able to go back….but here was God showing me that His Will for my life was not exactly the American Dream I thought It would be…. In November 2012 we announced that I had been signed to this Notable record label Choc city ….and that I was working towards being a Pan Afric Pop Artist and a voice for African Girls.
It wasn’t bad enough that I don’t speak Swahili ….now I’m in the West…..how dare I break out and actually make an impact in a Country that isn’t “my own” …..being that outsider in Gidi hasn’t been a walk in the park either….but the love I have received in Nigeria has made me feel at home….When I release my music….The people listen ….They give it a chance. …They blog about it…They play it on the radio
It’s also not good enough that I, Kimani made our Kikuyu name an Anthem in this Continent…. or that I have been traveling the world my entire life …by myself….For my music…. But that day on stage, when this lady approached me and said ” Good Job Sis ” …..It all made sense ….. The masses in Kenya may never truly respect what I have decided to do with my life….but they WILL dance to my music…. Anyway….enough of my rant….let’s stop the Hate and embrace Love….We are all Africans ….happy Independence day Nigeria ….and Kenya. ….see you in a few hours”
