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Kenya-based Tanzanian artist Mr Nice reveals why he left Bongo
Mr. Nice, one of Tanzania’s Bongo Flava icons of the 2000s, left a lasting mark with hits like “Kikulacho” and “Fagilia,” earning him widespread fame across East Africa.
Born Lukas Mkenda, Mr. Nice rose to prominence with his signature TAKEU style (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda), which dominated the region’s music scene. His music resonated with both children and adults, bringing him immense success. However, despite his earlier financial prosperity, Mr. Nice later went bankrupt and relocated to Kenya, citing abandonment by Tanzanian fans and difficult living conditions.
Today, he says life has taken a turn for the better, and he’s once again enjoying life while remaining active in the music industry.
In this interview with Rhobi Chacha, Mr. Nice shared some lesser-known insights about his personal life and his thoughts on the current music landscape.
What’s something people don’t know about you?
My biggest passion is drawing. I create all kinds of artwork—people, animals, birds, you name it. In fact, I’m better at drawing than I am at music. I started earning money through drawing long before I ventured into the music industry.
Are you still making music in Kenya?
Yes. I moved my career to Kenya because Tanzanians no longer appreciate my work, but Kenyans still do. Nowadays, Tanzanians seem more interested in love songs, vulgar content, and music that often gets banned by Basata, the National Arts Council.
How is your life now compared to before?
My life is much better now than when I was bankrupt in Tanzania. Things were really tough back then, but now I feel like the old Mr. Nice again.
There were rumours of feuds with other artists during your peak. Is that true?
I was a bit arrogant because I had a lot of money at the time. I thought I could do anything—fighting, partying, acting tough. But I never had any real beef with other artists because my music was different from theirs.
Why were your songs especially popular with children?
Honestly, only God knows. I didn’t intentionally make music for kids. I used to sing in a church choir, so rap and RnB didn’t feel natural to me. My TAKEU style just clicked with my fans.
What’s something you don’t like?
I don’t like how Tanzanians pretend to forget my songs, even though they used to enjoy them. If I had stayed in Tanzania, I might have died from stress. I also dislike gossip and rumour mongering.
Who were your competitors in the music industry?
I wasn’t really competing, but other musicians became famous alongside me—artists like Juma Nature, Crazy GK, and Inspector Haroun. While I broke into the international scene, they mostly stayed focused on the Tanzanian audience.
What advice do you have for today’s artists?
Focus on making good music and avoid relying on publicity stunts. You can succeed without creating drama. It surprises me when artists stage fake accidents or threaten suicide just for attention. I always wonder, is that where their creativity ends?
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