Meet Sleem G

Artist Sleem G.  Photo?COURTESY

In Summary

• Samuel Gaitho, a.k.a. Sleem G is a Kenyan born artist, formerly a member of the group The Outta Limits.
• Sleem G believes in reaching out and giving back.

By HUGHOLIN KIMARO
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Samuel Gaitho, a.k.a. Sleem G is a Kenyan born artist, formerly a member of the group The Outta Limits.

At the age of four, Sleem G developed a passion for music. Music was introduced to him by his late father who admired artists like the late Lucky Dube, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and enjoyed reggae and rhumba music.

He would always sit him down for a word of encouragement and also finance him whenever he wanted to see other artistes performing.

Sleem G attended The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa and Tudor Day High School. He later studied logistics at the Mombasa Aviation College and Information Technology at Mombasa Technical College; now Technical University of Mombasa.

His early influences include Oliver Mtukudzi and Tupac. Sleem G was first inspired to rap in 2001 after watching performances by rappers on television.

In 2006, Outta Limits, his first music group, released an album called The Outta Limits. The group was managed by Respect Entertainment. Outta Limits then won the Kenya Coast Award in 2009 for the following songs: Mwanajeshi, Nipe nafasi and Tupendane - a single that featured Matonya, the famous Tanzanian artist.

GOING SOLO

In 2011, Sleem G went solo. According to him it was difficult to work in large groups where everybody had different interests and he was already becoming a household name from the few singles that he had released.

His first solo single was Unaweza featuring Totti (Tumaini kids), which later gave birth to the Unaweza Campaign.

The same year, he recorded Penzi lako. His song Unaweza led to him being branded ‘Mr Unaweza’. He followed it up with a star studded remix featuring Nyota Ndogo, Totti, Tinah Korosso, Ali B and Captain Lui.

So far Sleem G has released three singles: Penzi Lako, Unaweza, Chanuka Ujitegemee the theme song for Chanuka Ujitejemee, an initiative that brings the youth together for development projects that are income generating based in Mombasa.

He has worked with producers such as Hamza Omar and J. Blessing. He is currently working on his first album titled Unaweza which shall be out in later 2014.

INSPIRATIONAL

Unaweza has inspired many especially the young in Kenya from the responses it has receive through social media and also requests by fans for it to be played on air by radio and TV stations.

Through his music Sleem G is making a difference and changing lives. Many of his fans are now mindful of others welfare.

The Unaweza Campaign, founded by Sleem G, is an initiative that deals with youth life issues and offers empowerment and motivation.

Unaweza gives the youth an opportunity to see a different side of life by encouraging them, giving them vital information and sharing experiences on how to deal with life issues especially drug abuse, early pregnancies and early marriages.

Sleem G believes in reaching out and giving back, thus his involvement with Amani Kenya - yet another initiative based in Mombasa.