Interviews Uraveiling Identities of Ghetto Classics
Interviews Uraveiling Identities of Ghetto Classics
The exhibition features portraits of young artists who have chosen to defy their circumstances and forge their own paths, rising above the challenges that surround them. To provide context and deepen understanding, these portraits are compared with images of their everyday lives—the slums where they were born and raised. Through this narrative, the stark contrast between the resilience of these individuals and the harsh realities of their environment becomes strikingly evident. Despite the formidable obstacles they face, these young artists stand tall, their vibrant personalities shining through the shadows of adversity.
Sophia — 20 y.o.
I've been a part of Ghetto Classics for seven years. I play the violin, and I am a tutor. I find it essential that GC emphasises the recruitment of girls and provides a safe environment for talent development and social interactions. After school, I always head straight home as quickly as possible. Engaging with strangers is unsafe, so I avoid such unnecessary interactions. Once home, I spend time practising the recorder, watching movies, and writing in my diary.
In our community, girls are regularly being pressured into early marriages and motherhood, often at the expense of their education and dreams. Many young women feel like they don't belong to themselves and have a life of servants. I want to challenge this patriarchal system and empower girls to pursue their passions and ambitions. If more girls find their path, our community will thrive and evolve for the better.
I want to become a counsellor for young students at my school, and my activities to be centred around feminist principles. It's not easy being a girl my age and still holding onto values like virginity in a society where casual sex is normalised. I want to change the mindset that sees women as objects and empower girls to demand respect and autonomy over their bodies and futures.
Dennis — 22 y.o.
I've been part of Ghetto Classics for five years, and for the past three years, I've been working as a tutor. I teach the viola in both Korogocho and Mukuru. Additionally, I'm a musician myself—I play in the Ghetto Classics orchestra and also in a band. I'm also an architecture student, although my university studies are currently on hold due to financial challenges. My ultimate goal is to change the narrative that being born in a slum limits your opportunities.
I want to make a better life for myself and my family. My father has been working tirelessly to provide for us, but it's been a struggle. He's been working in a dumpster since we were born, and with two brothers and two sisters, it's a lot to support. I love my dad, but I want a completely different future. My dream is to help him by building a shop where he can pursue his passion for electricity. Ghetto Classics has been instrumental in shaping my dreams and giving me a sense of purpose. Without them, I would never have dared to dream of a better life. Growing up in the slums, you're often unaware of what opportunities exist beyond your own community. But through Ghetto Classics, I've had the chance to travel outside the country and around Kenya, experiencing different ways of life. This has inspired me to strive for more and to believe that change is possible.
I want to become a source of inspiration for the children in my community. I want them to see that where you come from doesn't determine where you can go. When the kids in my classes see how hard I work and how I've achieved my goals, it motivates them to aim high and believe in themselves. They see that it's possible to break the cycle of poverty and create a better future for themselves.
Collins — 18 y.o.
I've been a part of Ghetto Classics for three years and play the violin. It's been an incredible journey for me. I learn fast, so now I can hear a few notes and play any melody. Being accepted into the orchestra was a massive achievement, and I'm proud of myself. Sure, I practised a lot, repeating the same notes repeatedly. I'd spend anywhere from two to four hours practising every day. At first, I used to practice a lot at the Ruben Centre, but now I have my own personal instrument, so I can practice at home. Brian, one of the tutors, saw my potential and decided I needed my instrument. He's more than just a tutor—he's like a real friend to all of us.
Brian goes above and beyond for us. Not only does he lead us and teach us music, but he also takes care of us in other ways. He organises parties for us and always listens if we need someone to talk to. He understands the challenges we face living in this area, so he tries to ensure a safe and supportive environment at the centre. He even helps us with our schedules, ensuring we can spend more time at the centre if we're not safe at home. He's a true mentor and friend to all of us.
Brian — 30 y.o.
I've been a part of Ghetto Classics for 13 years now. I joined in 2010 while in primary school, starting as a student. Over the years, I've witnessed its growth—from a small room in a church in Korogocho with just six students to a flourishing centre with expanded facilities in both Korogocho and Mukuru. In 2019, after completing university, I had the privilege of becoming a teacher at Ghetto Classics. Today, I am a full-time musician and tutor dedicated to nurturing the next generation's talents.
Korogocho has been my home since birth—I attended primary school, went to church, and where my family and friends reside. Now, it's also where I work. Most of my students at Ghetto Classics come from similar backgrounds, and we found them because of their unwavering determination to rise above their circumstances. Some are deeply committed to their education and music, while others have been drawn into gangs or early marriages. Many come from large families, have separated parents, or suffer from hunger and deprivation. It's a community where a lot happens, and we strive to create a supportive environment where they feel at home. Despite the challenges, I see progress every day, and it's enriching.
A typical day at Ghetto Classics is emotionally draining but fulfilling. Even when not playing music, we sit with the students and talk about life. Hearing their stories can be overwhelming, and when I go home, I often feel exhausted. We work tirelessly to help them navigate challenges, advising students and their parents. Over time, I've learned to manage the pressure, but it's still a lot to handle. Despite the challenges, I love being here and knowing I'm making a difference.
I'm a tutor, student leader, musician, conductor and problem solver - it can be challenging. I now realise I must balance my passion because it's a lot. While the schedule can be exhausting, I find joy in teaching and performing, and I'm energised by the impact I see in the lives of our students. It's a constant journey of finding balance, but I can feel that energy coming back to me.
Ann — 20 y.o.
I've been part of Ghetto Classics for six years now. I joined when I was 13 years old and started playing the French horn. Over time, I've grown into a tutor here. But before music, I used to attend dance classes. I want to become an actress. I like people’s attention. I want to play a bad character in a movie. I saw an ad for Tahidi High actor request and submitted a video, hoping to showcase my talent. They told me I needed to make a better portfolio and that they would help me with this. I paid 450 shillings, and they didn’t reply. They were scammers.
My mum was attacked a lot. Once, she went to the market to buy beans for us. But while she was there, a group of gang members surrounded her and took all her money. It's a terrifying situation because if you resist or try to escape, they can shoot you. So, she had to give them everything they asked for to stay safe. She couldn't even come home empty-handed because then, what would her kids eat? So, she returned to the market, pleading with the seller to give her beans. The next day, she went back to repay the debt, but the gang attacked her again. It happened two more times after that. If you call the police, the gang will kill you. It was hard for all of us. My mum was deeply traumatised, and she cried a lot.
We felt helpless because we didn't know how to support her. She was too scared to return to the market, and she didn't want to send us kids either, fearing the same thing might happen. We thought about seeking professional help for her, but the services were too far away in the embassy area of Nairobi, and the bus trip to this area cost as much as our whole family's budget for a week. So, we had to find ways to help her ourselves.
Sophia — 21 y.o.
I've been a part of Ghetto Classics for five years, and I'm 21. This place means a lot to me—it's like a second home. I live in Korogocho, and despite its challenges, I don't want to leave. One of the biggest challenges we face here is the ecological problems.
The dumpsters are dangerously close to where we live, and they often catch fire or melt, releasing toxic fumes into the air. It's especially bad during the hot days, and it's hard to breathe. The pollution affects everyone, and people are constantly suffering and in pain. I believe the dumpsters should be removed from the city! It's not fair that we have to live in such polluted conditions. We love Korogocho; it's our home, and we want to make it better for everyone who lives here.
If we don't take action now, we risk losing our home.
Johanson — 22 y.o.
I've been a tutor at Ghetto Classics for five years now, and during that time, I've also been playing in the Ghetto Classics orchestra. Occasionally, I play with other bands as well. Despite the challenges of living in Korogocho, it's still home to me. People here may not always believe in my actions, but my motivation keeps me focused and helps me avoid negative influences. Being a man in this environment is tough—you must always be alert and ready to face whatever comes your way.
Many of my peers from school have gotten involved in the gang system, and they often try to pressure me to join them. But I've consciously chosen to stay on my path, even if it's difficult for them to understand. I believe in the power of music to change lives, and I want to use my talents to impact my community positively. My ultimate goal is to become the best instrumentalist in South Africa and to establish an orchestra with students from Ghetto Classics.
I want to pay tribute to the community that helped shape me into who I am today. I draw inspiration from characters like Tom Shelby from Peaky Blinders—his self-driven attitude motivates me to keep pushing forward. I even emulate his style by wearing suits, vests, and caps, which sets me apart in the music scene and helps me stand out as a musician.
Maryonn — 18 y.o.
I've been a part of Ghetto Classics for five years; during that time, I've been playing the violin. Being part of the orchestra has been a fantastic experience for me—I love the feeling of performing in front of a crowd. It takes courage, but it's so rewarding. I want to become a tutor at Ghetto Classics and pursue a performing career. I enjoy playing in the orchestra, but I also love dancing. I've been following incredible dancers like Stacy Wiss on Instagram, trying to learn from them. I even attend Afrobeat dance classes in the hope that one day I'll be able to dance like Cardi B or Adele.
My friends and I often put on small performances where we try to mimic our favourite American singers. I even learned how to play songs like "Memories" by Maroon 5 and "Despacito" on my violin by finding the notes online. I live in a dormitory, so I don't get to spend much time at home during the week. I went to the Rubin Centre in Mukuru to practise, spend time with my friends, and dance. In the dorm, people get up to all sorts of nasty things, which I try to avoid.
Penninyah — 18 y.o.
I've been a part of Ghetto Classics for seven years and play the trumpet. After my music classes, I attend computer courses. I find working with computers fascinating, learning how they operate and how to navigate different systems. My father introduced me to these courses and organised them for me. He used to be less involved in my life and the lives of my siblings, but when my mom found a job, he stepped up to take care of all of us.
Now, we're all attending different courses and dreaming of attending university. My biggest dream is to become a neurosurgeon or work in the computer field. I love music and want to continue studying at Ghetto Classics, but I also have ambitions beyond music. I hope to attend university and earn a master's degree in my chosen field. It's important to me to continue learning and growing as a musician and a student of other disciplines.
Shanon — 18 y.o.
I've always been fascinated by people coming together in a restaurant, sitting in a quiet space, sharing their secrets and speaking privately. Mukuru, where I live, is always overcrowded, and there's never any privacy. You can't say anything without everyone hearing you and potentially stealing your secrets.
I've seen in movies how people can do this in restaurants, and I've always wanted to experience it for myself. With a big family and many friends, I rarely sit and chat with them in a quiet, private setting. I just wanted to see how others do it and experience that sense of intimacy and camaraderie. So, that's why I asked to have my photo taken in a fancy restaurant.