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Celebrated Kenyan rapper Nyamari Ongegu, alias Nyashinski, has opened up about the challenges he faced after moving to the US.
Nyashinski relocated to Delaware over 10 years ago together with his family at a time when his music career had begun to pick up. He was a member of the Kleptomaniacs music group.
Speaking on his YouTube channel which premiered recently, the artiste admitted life in the US turned out to be the opposite of what he expected.
“When we moved abroad, I had completely quit music. I was working back in the States as a truck driver. I used to drive a lorry, trying to survive,” he said.
Nyashinski says he experienced challenges adjusting to the new environment and his only company was the truck he was driving for long hours.
“You only stop to fuel, sleep, shower, and use the bathroom. So you find yourself enjoying small conversations with people you meet for five minutes. At least it was a way from that cage.”
The experience made him reflect on his life and regretted leaving Kenya where he had a social life and a good career.
“That experience taught me a lot. Two things that were life-changing for me back then was one, when I was here, I was a star. People recognized me everywhere and we were doing what we loved,” he says.
“I moved from a place where I was known and getting a bit of favors here and there to a place where no one knows me. No special treatment and you must work because you have to eat.”
A friend who noticed his passion for music urged him to go to the studio and record, a move that sparked his urge to return home.
“So back in the States, my friend told me to just go in the studio and exert that pressure as a lyricist. I did not have to release the songs. But I found myself listening to a beat, creating a song, and then wanting to perfect it, and then I want people to listen. That is how I found myself back into the music world and came back home,” he remarked.
With the blessings of his parents, Ongegu returned to Kenya in 2016 before making a comeback in music months later. His comeback was marked by his song ‘Now You Know’, which became fans' favorite.
He has since released many hits such as Malaika, Bebi Bebi, Mungu Pekee, and Hello. He has also done collaborations with popular artistes including Sauti Sol.
Comments
The argument that he was driving trucks to survive, implies that truck driving is not a career or a regular job. Even in Kenya, I see trucks everywhere. They drive them, too. Are they surviving? Or these Kenyans are doing their jobs? This argument implies that a true job is a white collar job. Even if you don't have requisite qualifications.
I think you misconstrued what the guy said! There are jobs you do to make life tolerable and to make it through every day. Driving a truck across America isn’t a piece of cake; it is hard! I salute those who earn a living driving trucks!
@exdiasporian - you lived abroad for sometime before you got deported, and surely you did those jobs that you liked and some you didn’t like! You must have done some of those jobs during the 9 years you stayed incarcerated in an American jail; didn’t you? So, respect the man’s views of his life experiences in America.
So get off the bars and find something constructive to keep yourself gainfully employed and busy! There are several things you can do in Kenya to be a good citizen of your own country!
There are some dots which don't connect in this story. The guy comes across as someone who doesn't like working, in order to be able to eat. That is why he could not stand life in Delaware, because no one knew him there, so he could not freeload and sponge off his friends and fans. He had to work. 'No special treatment, and you must work, because you have to eat'. Trucking is a well paying job, so I am sure he was earning more with it than from music in Kenya, if he actually earns anything. The main reason for going back to Kenya seems to be that there, he can loaf around and freeload on others without working.
Leave the man alone and worry about your own life! You keep attacking this guy and he has never asked you to feed him! You already complained of being an alcoholic and idle in your own country! Haven’t you ?
It is kind of strange for an ex-convict in America to be taking a swipe at a guy who decided to return home with his pride intact. And he is now making music and he is happy!
You wasted 9 solid years gambling in an American jail and now you have the audacity to tell this man he does not like to work?
Come on dude, look at the mirror before you begin portioning childish accusation to someone who is now living and enjoying his life in Kenya!
Focus, @Akinyi. I don't know what you are talking about, but I know that your comment has nothing to do with the facts under discussion. FOCUS.
@desert nomad - everything I said is way above your pay grade to grasp the meaning! Sorry guy I can’t help your ignorance!!
@Akinyi, the guy cannot make it in America. He is looking for a Mommy. Please be his Mommy.
I am Circumcised, @Akinyi. And yes, even health professionals say that it is advisable to have the forskin removed, for health purposes. What purpose does removing your teeth, which you use to eat, achieve?
@settled nomads,
Bitter much??? He specifically said doing something he is passionate about!
Trucking is NOT a 'one size fits all'
Welcome to Uncle Sams where no one care about your celebrity status.
Well said
Before you relocate have goals you want to achieve and know how you are going to achieve them. One of the ways you can use to achieve your goals here in US is to go to school. Your rapp lyrics won’t appeal to anyone here, the standards are way too high, your accent not withstanding. You should’ve done your homework before packing your bags.
Truckers make good money.
You wanted to go back home so people can treat you like a celebrity. Driving trucks in the USA isn't like driving a lorry in Kenya.
You are not telling the truth about the corruption that goes with trucking where Kenyan dispatchers will make you bankrupt over exorbitant load search fees and some hidden insurance fees! And now with covid19 all over America, the trucking business is on its knees.
I know many Kenyans who are doing the trucking business but are leaving it because of the corruption that other Kenyans have brought into the business!
Life in the west is challenging to most of the yuppies from, especially if their background back in 254 is a bit privileged. I don't blame the young man, better to be safe in the bosom of the motherland than wandering the streets of heartland America only to be picked up as a frozen cadaver after the winter snow ❄️ is thawed. Trucking is very paying so fairy tales need a bit of intellect to pass muster.. I admire his decision to bite the bullet and go home to mama..
I agree that he is lazy. I also believe that there is something else that he is not disclosing. The main reason that you are unable to work, despite making good money, is drugs. It is also the main reason that most people return to Kenya, because a Conviction involving drugs in the US means that no employer will touch you. But you still have to pay your bills, including Food and Rent...
Why demonize what you did yet driving a truck helped to give you clarity in life? Spending that time in the truck alone, all by yourself gave you some quiet time to reflect and appreciate the skills you had and grow (mindwise) as a person.
It was not all for nothing. It was a learning curve.
So to summarize, in the US life is hard and you must earn your keep and pull your weight, no one cares that you were a major or minor star, no one cares that your family is prominent in Kenya and anonymity is all but certain and family is far far away. If you can't deal with the above, stay where you are and make your name in Kenya.
looks to me as if he had a problem with the law or immigration. track drivers make around $61,619 (ksh6,469,995) a year. i know some who make $98,000+ that's (ksh10,290,000 a year or ksh857,500 a month. Those life is what is explained here no sleep overworked but never money problem.
remember most usa states drop public court record after 7 to 10years that way u cant access all u need to know is the person full names type it in and u get the record.
which is it to you the reader?
pay rate
https://www.indeed.com/career/truck-driver/salaries
record search
https://courtconnect.courts.delaware.gov/public/ck_public_qry_cpty.cp_p…
What Nonsense. We keep hearing stories 'Coming to America' and 'Returning to Kenya' to bash America. Whats important to learn in this story is that America only cares about what value you bring to the table. And clearly the man (shinski) fid not have much to offer in that regard.
I hear you Rapper Nyamash....life in US is tough. Maybe you ran out of status and couldn’t continue there as usual with Trumpoz. Good luck man!
Living abroad is not for the faint hearted; and especially if you are a starter. There is nothing wrong to return to Kenya if the guy did not see a way out.
Not everyone that is cut out to be a truck driver in America or in Kenya for that matter! It can be a lonely way of life being a trucker while driving thousands of miles across America. But work is work and you got to do what is necessary to earn a living.
I applaud him in his new profession! He sounds happy and satisfied and that is good for his heart!
Sereru, Akinyi:get off the net and wash old grannies asses. In America, it's a badge of honor to be jailed, divorced and become bankrupt.
@exconvict - The American system thought you were the best candidate to make love to the male convicts in jail; a job you kindly accepted for 9 good years! You have no grounds to talk about asses while you willingly licked them as a favor for early release!
He was probably deported for using drugs, or his driving license was revoked for driving Under the Influence. Driving drunk, or after taking drugs in the US means that your driving license is no more. And without it, there is no way of making a living. You either go back to Kenya voluntarily, or are deported. The alternative is to become homeless.
I sincerely feel for Kenyans from fairly well to do backgrounds in Kenya who relocate to the States. They have it rough these mama babies - they have never had it rough in life & then, ‘boom’, they are on their own in a land of great opportunity that doesn’t give a damn who you are. The United States is not for the softie, mama’s boy, no. The US is tough terrain where only the toughees succeed. The rest complain & it is advisable for them to go home to mom
I agree. US would be beffiting for people who earn peanuts or are jobless back in Kenya. They really thrive if they stay focused.
@Sabby
You seem to have a problem with work. Show Me The Work and Money. I will go there any day as long as there is work. Kwani kwenu muko na pesa imetoshanaje. Au nyinyi ndio Mulmulwas huku Kenya.
Speak for yourself and stop trying to represent Kenya. You are on your own with your views.
The coward goes home to their mother - kikuyu proverb. I'm at home waiting for you to fight #BLM, you might get your asses shot, and when a house is built, all the rats come in. I will be back in May 2021...
Because of your Mwakilishi insults, I've changed my mind, my absentee ballot will be going to MAGA, mpende msipende
Why stay in the loosing side?
Proudly texting 'Trump' to 880 222
#MAGA
Yo''ll Democ-RATS do yo' hear?
He was my classmate in KU before he left for States. Really nice guy
So he is the guy who was living off through his girlfriend..he made her life miserable together with the small baby. He was a loser in USA.
In Kenya, there no jobs to occupy people all the time. The result is alcoholism as a pastime.