The rough talent competition is a brand new show that aims in identifying talents and inspiring passion. The show officially started last year after a series of county tours across the country searching for talents. It is a product of Hope Media in partnership with Christ Is The Answer Ministries alias CITAM.
Early this month, the inspiring show came to an end closing up season one. It was commemorated with amazing acts from the contestants and well experienced judges who included; Jesse Mwai, TV personality and singer Kush Tracey, Stephen Makau and veteran actor Peris Wambui. In the competition contestants were awarded among them being Eve Mwende who bagged Ksh 200,000 in the third place, Emmanuel Wachira Ksh 300,000 in the second place and Tom Payne walking out with the grand prize of half a million Kenyan shillings.
I landed an exclusive interview with the competition’s first grand prize winner Tom Payne. He revealed of how passionate he has always been about music and performance. The elated artist also disclosed that he had no plans of joining the competition until when his pastor pursuaded him to try his luck. Tom Payne shares his journey and experience in the world of music and his big win.
TALK TO US WHO IS TOM PAYNE?
Tom Payne is a maasai man, born and raised in Kenya. I am very passionate about music and everything else that I do. I wouldn’t tell you who exactly I am because I believe I am still on the road to self discovery. Professionally I am a musician and a recording live performing artist.
WHEN DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN DOING MUSIC?
I remember it was in the year 2008 when I attended a youth rally. In the rally there was a lot of of young people singing and rapping. Honestly speaking they inspired both my brother and I to come up with a rapping group and coined it ‘We Think We Can Rap’ my passion for music actually escalated when we later on stepped on the stage for the first time and performed.
YOU ARE PART OF A BAND BY THE NAME ‘Voice Of Reason’ HOW DID IT COME TO EXISTENCE?
The band was my brother’s idea. We both knew we loved singing thus he created the band and recruited me and my friend Mahir who later on left to pursue his career in film. The band came to existence and more active in the year 2016. We would write songs focusing on not only gospel but also inspirational music.
YOU ARE A GREAT PERFORMING ARTIST. TELL US WHERE YOU HAVE PERFORMED AT SINCE THE START OF YOUR MUSIC JOURNEY?
I have performed in so many places. Just to mention a few, I have done shows in different schools, been to campus tours, business summits, church youth rallies, streets, some big events including the Jazz experience.
RUMORS HAVE IT THAT YOU QUITTED SCHOOL TO FOCUS ON MUSIC. TAKE US THROUGH THAT TRANSITION…
I won’t call it quitting. I postponed school to work on my skills. Immediately after finishing highschool I opted in focusing on music and dedicate years of practice. I really wanted to grow and learn a lot about poetry, rap and singing. Music needs a lot of time and dedication.
TO ANYONE WHO DOESN’T KNOW, KINDLY TELL US ABOUT ‘The Rough’
The rough is an amazing show that is all about identifying talents and inspiring passion. It is a platform in partnership with CITAM and a product of Hope Media that aims in showcasing talents. Personally it has moulded me to who I am today. It is where I met amazing coaches like Ian Mbugua, Hellen Mtawali and Kush Tracey.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE COMPETITION AND HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE THERE?
I was at home when my friend called me to go to CITAM valley road and say hi to her. On reaching there, I realized there was an audition and my pastor was also there. He pursuaded me to audition and to my surprise I was selected to be part of the competition. I would say the experience was quite a dream come true, I met amazing people and learnt so much.
DID YOU EVER IMAGINE YOURSELF SCOOPING THE BIG WIN?
I never imagined myself winning the big prize because I was surrounded by very talented individuals and it was a stiff competition. What I knew was that the main agenda of the show was to identify talent and get a winner out of it. I kept reminding myself that I am a winner.
EVERYONE IS CURIOUS. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS MUSICALLY?
Oh my goodness, you should expect a lot from me. You should expect an album, new tracks dropping, some singles and taking the Kenyan music to the next level.
YOUR STAGE PERFORMANCE IS EPIC. WHO DO YOU LOOK UPTO?
Locally I look up to Khaligraph when it comes to rap and Nyashinski. Internationally J.Cole is and will always be my inspiration not forgetting Neyo and Kendrick Lamar.
WHAT IS YOUR WORD TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WANTS TO TRY MUSIC?
Go ahead and do it. You need discipline, consistency and a teachable spirit.
is a YouTuber, a commercial model and a passionate writer focusing on personal profiling and entertainment news.
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