Turns out we’ve been sleeping on talent. Mad talent. If you love music, you probably took note of the Genesis Freestyle Challenge that has been doing rounds.
It is a freestyle challenge that was initiated by Eldoret based rapper and producer Forty together with Vaccine and Beat Zero. Participants had to download a specific beat from Studio 1forty4’s YouTube channel and record a short video clip freestyling to it.
The Genesis Freestyle Challenge
When they started it, they didn’t know it would blow up. It was just something they were doing to play their role in elevating Eldoret’s Entertainment Industry as artists. Authentic, undeniable artists trying to carve out a name for themselves. But catch on it did. So much so that rappers and spitters from different parts of the country, not just Eldoret decided to participate.
Round 1 is officially closed and Eldoret Leo gets the honor of announcing the top 5 participants who get to move on to the 2nd and final round.
Before we get to that though, I’d like to shine some light on Forty, the owner of Studio 1 forty 4 located in Zion Mall.
Meet Forty
Majina ya kitambulisho ni Phanuel Bill Omondi. He’s a rapper and producer who hopes to one day achieve the perfect balance between the two like the likes of Kanye West and Pharell.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with him in his studio and to be honest, I was blown away. There’s so much mediocrity in the music industry these days and going in I was like meeeh, not sure. After listening to his beats and talking to him though, I have nothing but newly found for him.
It is people like him that start revolutions. People who know what they want and what they need to do to get there. People who are authentic in their art. People who give their work their all.
He started his own record label because as an artist he couldn’t really find a producer who brought out his music the way he wanted it to sound after doing the most get that studio time in the first place. The costs of recording songs, considering he had so many he wanted to put out, was also costly and he needed to get around this.
Looks like the move was just what he needed. Today, he gets to create sick beats for himself and artists who’ve entrusted him to produce their songs. The energy in that studio is just something else. Don’t believe me? Check out this short impromptu clip.
The Top 5 Genesis Freestyle Challenge
Anywho, without further ado, here are the top 5 participants. Like I stated earlier, they will be moving on to round 2. Round 2 will involve going to the music studio, and professionally recording their lines to the Genesis beat. Their videos will then be posted on Studio 1forty4’s YouTube channel and after a week, the most popular video in terms of views wins.
5. Rickie Bars
4. Offspring
3. Geo Nybz
2. E-Town Mo aka Sh!kaMo
1. Legal Moon
The first position goes to Legal Moon???? can !!!! ( Legal Moon, picture yourself walking on stage for this award, confetti falling all around you, people screaming and cheering)
Forty charges Ksh 4000 to record a song at Studio 1forty4. If you have your own beats, however, he only charges Ksh 2500. To contact him, call 0711151020 or email him at wanforty4@gmail.com
