Kali Mija: The Blooming Musical Flower
By: Katlego Setilo
Kali Mija is a full time University of Botswana student pursuing her Business management degree by day and a full time rising star -musician- by night. Writer and singer of radio rocking track “I’m the Boss” talks to Celebrity World magazine about her journey as a musician.
Who is Kali Mija?
Kali is a young woman aged 23, born of Kenyan dad and Motswana mom with five siblings. She pursues Degree in Business Management at the University of Botswana all the while traveling cross boarders doing gigs as a performing artist.
What does Kali Mija mean?
Kali is a family name, added for sentiment. Mija is a Swahili-Arabic word for flower and so I just merged the two and used that.
How long have you been in the music industry?
Four years, since 2017/2018. I was 17 years old when I first started.
What got you into music?
I had friends that could sing at primary school and I felt like I wasn’t, so one school talent show I was coerced by a friend at high school for dancing. Two years later with a school music room practicing obsession and a friend that signed me up for a talent show without my permission the passion and dedication to make it work came.
Who has helped you in your music career?
Lloyd BW, Lu Manther helped me with recording alongside Hippy, Hippy Bambino who worked on my cover art, chronicle deep, hypophonic, latique, Percy PJ and Roy Khumo among others.
When was your first record and release?
My first recording was a single called Stardust but the first release was in 2017 by Lloyd BW and my first actual single was released early January of 2018.
What are the challenges you have faced ever since you started?
We had scheduled collaborations with bigger local artists that didn’t happen simply because they were looking for people who are already out there and popular instead of talent and because we weren’t popular yet they dropped us on countless occasions. Beyond that just your general struggles of a complete novice of the industry can face.
What is the highlight of your career?
When I had just released for the first time and I walked past a bar going home, I heard my song playing from there. I was so excited, I was so happy. I just couldn’t believe it.
What advice do you have for promoters in Botswana about booking artists?
In South Africa, the promoters there give artists chances regardless of clout or popularity but rather talent and determination. Get variety for your shows and you can only do that by looking for talent and passion over popularity. Also pay artists on time,Yoh!
What advice do you have for younger upcoming artists?
Pick people who want to work, people who believe in you and are not big headed. Do not get distracted, pick one thing you are interested in, proud to do, work hard with it and stick to it. Stop hip-hopping around. That will get you somewhere.
Since this is the February edition, does Kali Mija have any professional or personal plans for February 14th?
Professionally not anything in particular but anything can be worked out through a collaboration and early release. Personally? Yikes. Mojolo is a pandemic so let’s just say I am single.
Something fans don’t know about you but it’s a weird flex?
I speak 5 languages, fluently all out of hobby. And some from family relations.
Anything we have to look out for coming out soon?
A track called Shake-Shake might be in the pipelines but again- nothing planned as such. It’s just to watch out and keep an ear open.
Duncan Sebeso