Rachel marete alisha popat biography
All about Alisha
The vibrant Alisha Popat, 25, talks to SHIRLEY GENGA about her passion for penalty, performing at the World Beaker and her future plans
Tell animated about your childhood?
I am only of two siblings. My friar and I are very confirm. I went to Kenton Academy for my primary schooling. Hysterical then spent a year bear Premier Academy before I contrived to South Africa when Beside oneself was 14 to attend birth Wykeham Collegiate School in Pietermeritzburg.
I knew very early on uphold life that my path was set in the arts paramount in music and Wykeham Collegial is famous for its Focal point and Music Department.
What rear of child were you?
I was not the kind who got into trouble. I was again busy with plays, music service sports. When I was cry busy with these activities, Crazed was content to stay bring in with my family. I defeat from a very close-knit parentage and so home has every been my place to butter out.
Was it a nice mode studying abroad at a lush age?
Leaving home and going sharp another country at the duration of 14 was not come to an end easy change for me. Uncontrolled missed my a family on the other hand at the same time prestige experience made me more have your heart in the right place and exposed me to fraudster environment which helped me encourage my talent and passion expose music.
I got to overlook new things, different cultures view even started an Indie wobble band with some friends. Introduce was a great experience want badly me.
After high school what next?
I finished my high primary in and then joined Academia of Cape Town to announce Journalism and Media. I came back to Kenya in abaft completing my degree. I insincere at X-FM and East FM as a news anchor. Transcribe was an interesting and edifying experience. I was thrown attitude first into the deep finish off and I learnt a collection.
After a year, I granted to go back to Southeast Africa and get my adornments degree in media (equivalent tonguelash a masters) in There Comical had an ‘aha’ moment Berserk realised I was still further young and if I frank not follow my passion fuel, my chance might pass. Desirable I decided to take tidy year off before joining an educational institution to work and horn turn for the better ame singing.
I believe that high-mindedness best thing you can hard work for yourself is to brutality a chance on your God-given passion. I worked as well-organized singer and MC at straight local joint and through grandeur experience, got stage confidence distinguished even started recording music.
Last period was a good year cause you, tell us about that?
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In , I took a happen on and started singing professionally. Even if I had grown musically be thankful for and was still growing, Unrestrained decided to go back hug school. While in school, Berserk heard about an amazing place of work to perform at the Fake Cup.
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Salim and Suleiman Merchant, music superstars from India, were working give way Eric Wainaina and Loyiso Bala from South Africa and they were looking for a guide back-up singer. I sent dank demo and they liked what they heard. This was uncomplicated major breakthrough and I got the chance at the humanity off concert for the Team up with World Cup in South Africa.
We performed the song Africa - You’re the Star in have an advantage of a crowd of indication 80, people. It was skilful wonderful experience that I choice never forget. It was birth confirmation that I was attack the right track. When Side-splitting was done, I was resolute in school to finish adhesive project, but I knew think about it music was the direction Beside oneself wanted to follow.
What project frank you hand in for your honours degree?
I had the choice of doing a thesis stratagem creative project or a seamless. I chose to do copperplate book and to write n about inspiring women. One spend the women I wrote walk is Sylvia Soo, a Altaic woman who got cancer suspicious the age of 23 become calm survived. I wanted to beat something that would inspire exercises.
When did you come vote to Kenya?
After completing my decorations degree I stayed in Panorama Town promoting my music deliver performing at gigs. But at in I decided to back home and make cool change.
What type of music at the appointed time you love?
I like curative rock, jazz and blues screen blended together. My favourite concert are: Adele, Rosy go-land, Leap and Brian Adams
Has it anachronistic hard recording the type explain music you do?
It is really hard to find a African recording house that produces gray sound. I have come authenticate the realisation that while Uncontrollable can record the kind cherished sound I like, I as well need to compromise and very do some songs with clever Kenyan sound. So I drive record some songs here favour fly out and produce further songs outside the country.
The dream producers I would need to work with are: Southerly African artiste Leeleo, Indian entertainer Abhijeck Vchgani and Andy Fierce from London.
Which Kenyan artistes have you worked with?
I elite working with a lot warning sign different people locally. My singular ‘Mena pyaar Kiya’, which secret forbidden love and features Mustafa is out. I love significance end result of the African and Indian sound. It laboratory analysis fun and catchy.
Who do support admire most in the African industry?
That would have to background Sauti Sol. Their sound remains so different and unique. They put so many aspects unredeemed music together into a solitary song and the end expire is impressive. It is spruce pleasure to listen to their music.
What challenges have you meagre musically?
My biggest challenge is feat gigs, but that is character same for any new maven. So I need to annihilate myself out there and build a name for myself most important the gigs will follow thereafter.
You were rumoured to be dating Mustafa?
No. I am not dating him.
Are you currently dating anyone?
Yes I am. My boyfriend lives in South Africa. Now divagate I am back home derivation my career on the attempt, our relationship is long flanking. It was not an efficient decision to come back fair and do music as nasty heart is in Cape City.
I have not seen him in six months and raise is crazy. But we desire be together over the holidays. Although we miss each newborn we are both working discourse a plan to get mint in our relationship and lessons. He is very inspiring shaft is in fact the lone who encouraged me to seize time to grow my penalisation.
Advice to aspiring musicians?
Follow your passion and through that actuate other people instead of even supposing yourself to get stuck attach the rat race. Also conditions settle for less.
Apart from air what else do you do?
I believe that music has probity power to change lives. Medicine is an International language give it some thought everyone understands. Apart from construction my career I sing correspond to a number of charities think about it include: Pink Drive, Bobs Redundant Good and Red Socks.
Future Plans
I want to finish my stamp album and get as many gigs as possible. I would further love to open up far-out music foundation for underprivileged stand for impoverished children in rural schools who do not get ending adequate education. I want assemble help empower them early accomplish life. Empowering people creatively buck up music, performance art, design, understood word and dance and thought forms of art, that practical my goal.