With his industry signature locks, and a snapback, Fredrick Kiama aka Nje Pro is a renowned hiphop music producer and rapper from Mombasa, Kenya. He is currently based in Seattle, Washington, where he’s still actively producing culture-shaping music and sharing industry perspectives.
Nje is the founder and owner of Ufuoni Records that played a crucial role in the growth of hip-hop culture in East Africa. Nje, who started more than 20 years ago, solely gave many underground rappers a platform to record their music, while mentoring them at the same time. Way before the internet and social media. He was among the producers for the group Ukoo Flani, who have always called Ufuoni Records home. He has also rapped alongside rappers like Kaa la Moto, Janja Weed, Godzilla, Nguchi P, Cannibal, Sokoro and CLD.
Apart from being a record producer, Pro is also an accomplished artist. His catalog is expansive with boombap raps that are heavily influenced by America’s heavyweight MCs and swahili oldskul rap. The husky-voiced curator argues that many sounds come and go but the true foundations of hiphop will never change. His themes explore storytelling, political activism and sensitization of the masses against corrupt world systems.
To add another feather on his hat, the legendary producer is also a host of Hiphop Knuckles radio show on KBCS 91.3 FM in Bellevue, Seattle. The show is yet another platform to grow and push the culture forward by giving airplay to new projects and interview artists.
Rise and Fall is his latest album project that he dropped a year ago. It had 13 singles including: From the Bottom, Fani Pwani, Warrior, Rise and Fall, Sherehe and Jombaa which he featured Chzn Brain. Chzn is also a legendary producer and sound engineer, from Mombasa, now based in Tanzania. Together they worked with many A-list artists before they both part ways to seek greener pastures.
He is currently making the Run music video, off his Rise and Fall album. African Pride is his latest visual that dropped a month ago. It is a blend with reggea and Nje sings beautifully over the soothing beats on owning the pride of the motherland.
Follow him on all social media platforms to get to know about the hiphop pioneer still making waves, home and away.
