The Q!NGShip Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ruby V
Hosted by Ruby V, a radio personality based in Nairobi, Kenya, with experience working at a fast paced media house, The Q!NGShip (pronounced Kingship) Podcast got you on all matters art and culture. From interviews with personalities from all over the world to coverage of events and news and even mental health. New episodes every Sunday at 12 noon EAT.
Here’s my annual interview with Khaligraph Jones for 2021 😅. We discuss his responsibilities to the younger generation of artists, his forthcoming album and working with Canadian rapper Dax as well as his desire to go back to school and political aspirations for 2027. Enjoy!
I had the pleasure of hosting Njeri Mwangi and I have to say it has been one of the toughest ones so far.
She talks about being diagnosed and living with Schizophreniform disorder, a psychotic disorder that affects how a patient perceives reality. She’s the very first underage guest I’ve hosted in my entire career and she really challenged me with how open she was to sharing her story boldly and her determination to embrace the journey she’s on.
Help us get this message in front of as many people as possible by sharing this episode.
After knowing him for a couple of years I finally had the opportunity to vibe with Musau on the record, one of the characters behind the scenes as far as Shrap culture is concerned. We talked about the genesis of the movement, performing at Nyege Nyege fest in Uganda and landing that Sho Madjozi feature, Boutross' forthcoming EP Mtindo being inspired by the loss of their friend, Andre, and just what is happening with AD Family as a crew? Tune in and enjoy this history lesson!
Episode 4 of The Q!NGShip Podcast features Rae Kiragu, a radio personality who has previously worked for Homeboyz Radio, KISS FM and now an on air personality SoundCity Kenya. We talked about her personal human experience; from what’s highlighted in this clip, getting diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and starting the healing process to her radio career and juggling that as a young Mom.
The latest episode of The Q!NGShip Podcast features Mr. Ke4, Kayvo Kforce's long time collaborator and co-founder of the record label Namba Nane Skyline. Having been in Nairobi city recently after over a decade, we link up to talk about what the diaspora experience is really like and why afro beats reigns supreme. Make sure to check out the previous episodes of The Q!NGShip Podcast and subscribe to my channel for more content on the way. If you enjoyed this conversation do give me a thumbs up and drop me a comment!
I'm so thrilled to share this episode with you! I spoke to BananasOverdose, a Somali artist navigating the artistry world. She talks about the highs and lows she's experienced, facing racism in the Middle East which led her to adopting "Bananas Overdose" as her stage name, going through FGM (Female Genital Mutilation), as is common in Somali culture and embracing her sexuality. If you enjoy this episode do help me spread it around by sharing on your social platforms and with your contacts.
Rix Poet is a Kenyan gender activist, trauma therapist and host of the AfroMasculinity Podcast. On this episode we talk about mourning and consciously feeling through grief. We also talk about how men are conditioned to be "stronger" than women and how that leads to societal issues such as gender based violence.
Do let me know what you found insightful about this conversation. If you'd love to watch the video version of this podcast click here.
Share this podcast with your friends and do subscribe to my YouTube channel because I will be dropping weekly episodes of The Q!NGShip Podcast!
On this episode, I link up with Kenyan celebrity publicist, media personality and PR practitioner Anyiko Owoko to discuss all things PR and Branding. From the very inception of iconic African boy band Sauti Sol, who she solely worked with for 10 years to setting up her own firm, Anyiko PR. Great insight for everyone looking to clean up their communication game.
Enjoy and put your homies on game by sharing this episode with them!
After weeks of trying to get our schedules right, I finally host Scar Mkadinali on the podcast! We discuss his move to Kisumu and what exactly "looking for peace" means, the formation of Wakadinali and Sewersydaa joining the camp, how being an "underground superstar" has changed him, the making of Kovu and how the challenge came about. We also talk Wewe Ni Nani with Steph Kapela, Zozanation and Wakadinali's forthcoming drill album, Victims of Madness. Enjoy!
I link up with Kayvo Kforce fresh off the release of his debut album, FATHELA. We discuss the making of the album, state of affairs in KE Hip Hop, being on Stogie T's Freestyle Friday, "beef" with Octopizzo and the need for Kenyan Hip Hop artists to evolve and be versatile. Enjoy!
I link up with podcaster, social media guru and influencer, Lencer B, to discuss ways you can capitalize on your social media, enough to make a living. Lencer B has worked with notable brands such as Coke Studio Africa, Diageo, Safaricom, KFC, Visa and more. She holds nothing back and even speaks on how artists can make money using their social media. I hope you’ve learned something!
The part 2 of last week's conversation, Adelle Onyango talks career moves; from 1FM to Kiss to resigning a coveted job to start her podcast. We also talk about the Adelle Onyango Initiative, an advocacy organization that works to educate the public on issues facing vulnerable populations; specifically, women and youth.
Enjoy!
Listen to part one of my conversation with Kenyan media personality, Adelle Onyango. We talk Legally Clueless being the number one podcast in the country, being unapologetically African, experiencing cyberbullying and her various accolades including BBC’s Inspirational & Innovative Women (2017), Facebook’s Icons of Change 2019, Okay Africa’s 100 Extraordinary Women (2018) and more.
Enjoy!
In this part 2, Abbas discusses the Octo-Breeder LW situation, calls for knowledge of self while using music to promote positivity amongst other things.
This is a continuation of our conversation from season 1.
Enjoy!
In this part 2 of the interview with G Money, we talk him becoming the dancehall ambassador and transforming the reggae/dancehall culture in Kenya, the rise and fall of Uptown Radio, hosting GMITM for over a decade, legacy being bullshit and the transition into podcasting. He also gives us an exclusive about the relaunch of the upgraded G Money app and talks the dopest and worst interviews of his career.
Enjoy!
Here's an exclusive interview with radio icon, G Money. We discuss the journey from the very beginning, from running a pirate station in the UK to working at BBC and the move to Nairobi, where's he's been for 13 years. Enjoy this part one!
Welcome to the second season of the Clock In series! I link up with Boutross AKA Shrap God, one of the new school leaders in Kenyan Hip Hop, with a subgenre called Shrap. (Sheng and Trap).
We discuss the success of his mixtape 6ixViewsII8K, which has reached a million streams, the various feature he's had, the evolution of Shrap music, from performing at Uganda's Nyege Nyege Fest to curating the Kenyan stage this year, linking up with Sho Madjozi and more.
I hope you enjoy this conversation and if you do, don't be shy, do share on your socials.
Let's rock!
Catch pt. 2 of the conversation with Steph Kapela. We dive into Vikky Secrets further, focusing on love, sex and relationships, which is the main subject matter on the album. Of course I had to ask Steph what he thinks of this Jada-Smith-Alsina entanglement.
Thank you for all the amazing feedback for pt. 1, here's hoping you enjoy this pt. 2 even more.
Catch you when season 2 resumes in August!
On the season finale of the Clock In series, get up close and candid with fast rising artist Steph Kapela fresh off the release of his debut album, Vikky Secrets. We discuss his entire journey from his childhood days, that move to the States, coming back and getting the music started back home, working with Atwal and the fallout, Callivan Creatives and more. Do enjoy this pt. 1!
So much crazy sh* is happening in Nairobi, Kenya right now. The system keeps shafting us and we've had enough of it. End Police brutality. Stop the killings. Justice for DJ Evolve.
South African megastar AKA (Kiernan Forbes) joins me on the 9th episode of the Clock In series to discuss his career progression and business moves with the AKA TV app, Cruz Vodka and the fallout with Reebok. He also discusses his recent triple drop and gives us a little scoop by saying they're 3 singles off his forthcoming album. Of course, I had to ask about the Burna Boy fallout a couple years ago and the boxing brawl set to go down with long time rival, Cassper Nyovest. If you enjoyed this episode, do share online and put your homies on game. Follow me across all social media platforms @justrubyv and feel free to share your thoughts/opinions with me! :)
In celebration of Father's Day 2020, I had a few people love their fathers out loud by talking about their fondest memories together, while the fathers on today's episode also celebrate their fatherhood. Happy Father's Day to all amazing, present Dads and to the Dads who've crossed over into the next realm. We love you!
On the 8th installment of the instruMENTAL series, MC Sharon narrates her experience miscarrying triplets last year, goin through the motions and trying to find balance in the end. I'm honored to be sharing these stories because I know it's not easy to talk about mental health struggles especially with all the stigma around it. If you would like to be a part of this series and share your story, feel free to message me on social @justrubyv. This is a safe space for you. Please share this episode across your social media platforms with the hashtag #instruMENTALKE and help us have an unashamed conversation about mental health and spread awareness. Let's talk about mental health!
Earlier this week there were two protests. Black Lives Matter outside of the US Embassy and a police brutality protest outside parliament. Of the two protests, one was disbanded with teargas and two activists arrested while the other protesters were so comfortable they even had their pets and picnic chairs out. Can you guess which scenario applies where? Black Lives Matter vs. Police Brutality. What’s the difference? On this episode, Ruby V is joined by rapper Sigh and Dave MC who narrate their experiences with police brutality and racism, respectively. If you’ve listened to this episode in its entirety and you feel that enough is enough and we need a revolution, do share this podcast with as many of your contacts as possible. If you’re not willing to fight for yourself, at least do that for your children and the generations after.
George Floyd didn't deserve to die, neither did Yasin Hussein, nor Vaite. Samuel Maina didn't deserve to be assaulted by cops and his nose broken. Anyone who has been harassed by the cops didn't deserve that. On this episode, I share clips of various Kenyan personalities who have had encounters with the cops. In the end I discuss why Black Lives Matter should be taken seriously, even here in Africa. Speak up against police brutality, racism and racial profiling. You have rights. Educate yourself on them. Fight for them!
Ep. 7 of the “Clock In” series is a conversation with one of Kenyan Hip Hop’s pioneers, Abbas. In this part one of the interview we discuss his beef with Chiwawa and Octopizzo, he takes us on a history class on how the legendary Hip Hop duo K South came together, how their debut album Nairoberry caused some problems with the government, them coming up with the term “Kapuka” and a lot more. This was a dope ass conversation that really gives us insight into a little bit of the history of Kenyan Hip Hop. If you enjoyed this, put your homies on by sharing this podcast on your socials and feel free to tag me @justrubyv. Enjoy!
Njeri Njoroge is a Kenyan mental health advocate who uses her organization Beautiful Minds Africa to emphasize on a holistic approach to mental health. A holistic approach is the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease. On this episode she talks about her sister who was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 12/13 and it's effect on the rest of the family members. Njeri Njoroge calls for more candor when speaking about mental illnesses and embracing mental health patients like any other. I'm honored to be sharing these stories because I know it's not easy to talk about mental health struggles especially with all the stigma around it. If you would like to be a part of this series and share your story, feel free to message me on social @justrubyv. This is a safe space for you. Please share this episode across your social media platforms with the hashtag #instruMENTALKE and help us have an unashamed conversation about mental health and spread awareness. Let's talk about mental health!
Kenyan rapper Monski speaks about the loss of both her parents at a young age and not really comprehending the true meaning of death until, when in her adulthood, she lost her best friend on her birthday. She speaks on the highs and lows of the motions and how she stays positive. I'm honored to be sharing these stories because I know it's not easy to talk about mental health struggles especially with all the stigma around it. If you would like to be a part of this series and share your story, feel free to message me on social @justrubyv. This is a safe space for you. Please share this episode across your social media platforms with the hashtag #instruMENTALKE and help us have an unashamed conversation about mental health and spread awareness. Let's talk about mental health!
Addressing Pressures Unspoken is an interlude by up and coming rapper Majessty who says he was inspired to speak about his mental health struggles by boxer Tyson Fury. He speaks about the societal "timeline" pressure inflicted on young men between the age of 20 and 30 in terms of career progression and settling down. He opens up in particular about the struggles of a young rapper trying to find his footing in Nairobi's concrete jungle while remaining authentic to their message/themselves.
I'm honored to be sharing these stories because I know it's not easy to talk about mental health struggles especially with all the stigma around it. If you would like to be a part of this series and share your story, feel free to message me on social @justrubyv. This is a safe space for you. Please share this episode across your social media platforms with the hashtag #instruMENTALKE and help us have an unashamed conversation about mental health and spread awareness. Let's talk about mental health!
Rix is a Kenyan mental health advocate and host of the Afromasculinity podcast (available on SoundCloud). On the fourth installment of the instruMENTAL series, he opens up about an emotionally and physically abusive father and growing up in a gender based violence household, which was the root cause of his mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts. He finishes his narrative by saying, "I saved my life by opening up. I think the silence would have killed me". I'm honored to be sharing these stories because I know it's not easy to talk about suicide especially with all the stigma around it. If you would like to be a part of this series and share your story, feel free to message me on social @justrubyv. This is a safe space for you. Please share this episode across your social media platforms with the hashtag #instruMENTALKE and help us have an unashamed conversation about mental health and spread awareness. Let's talk about mental health!
On the third installment of the instruMENTAL series, a friend from Zimbabwe chose to share his experience losing his parents at a young age. This led him to becoming a workaholic to avoid dealing with the situation. Due to this, he ended up getting physically sick, making him realize the importance of taking care of his mental health. I'm honored to be sharing these stories because I know it's not easy to talk about suicide especially with all the stigma around it. If you would like to be a part of this series and share your story, feel free to message me on social @justrubyv. This is a safe space for you. Please share this episode across your social media platforms with the hashtag #instruMENTALKE and help us have an unashamed conversation about mental health and spread awareness. Let's talk about mental health!
On the second installment of the instruMENTAL series, Albato, host of The Uncensored Albato Podcast tells the story of how his mental health struggles began, detailing his abusive childhood and a broken home while younger to trying to take his life about six times and seeking professional help. I'm honored to be sharing these stories because I know it's not easy to talk about suicide especially with all the stigma around it. If you would like to be a part of this series and share your story, feel free to message me on social @justrubyv. This is a safe space for you. Please share this episode across your social media platforms with the hashtag #instruMENTALKE and help us have an unashamed conversation about mental health and spread awareness. Let's talk about mental health!
Welcome to my podcast! I hope you enjoy these episodes that I work so tirelessly to bring you.
In light of Mental Health Awareness Week (May 18th– 24th 2020), instruMENTAL is a weekly series where we have UnKut conversations about mental health. The theme this year is “Kindness” and we’ll be linking up with various people throughout the week to share their stories. This first episode gives you the backstory behind me championing mental health. If you’re listening to this and would like to share YOUR story, please feel free and safe enough to get at me on social @justrubyv. All my inboxes are open.
I had the opportunity to have a conversation with multi-award winning 23-yr old South African artist Nasty C, who recently got signed to Def Jam Records. We talk his growth as an artist and becoming global, his forthcoming album Zulu Man With Some Power, his record label Tall Racks, meeting T.I. and more. If you enjoy this convo, please do share wicho friends. Peace.
The leading rapper in Kenya at the moment talks all things culture. From his underground days of sparking beef and now moving past it, his Khali Cartel series, forthcoming album and a lot more.
This minisode was inspired by a magazine that came up with a very skewed list of Kenya's Top 10 Rappers in 2020, which included Miracle Baby and E-Sir (RIP). With the help of a few rap/Hip Hop fans, I curated a list, that gives a candid picture of the state of affairs in KE. Get at me with any feedback/comments on social media @justrubyv.
On this episode I catch up with Fena AKA the Fenamenal Woman to discuss her career, spanning 10 years, in depth. From the very beginning, singing back up for Muthoni Drummer Queen to her recently released second studio album, Unleashed. If you enjoy this conversation, share across your social media platforms and let me know what your thoughts are by tagging me @justrubyv.
Enjoy!
Issa POPup are minisodes on The Q!NGShip Podcast released every Wednesday. This week's episode features SoXial Xperiment released by Kenyan musician Xtatic. It's a solid body of work that I absolutely enjoyed and I hope you will too. If you like this content do share with your friends. I'm always open to feedback and you can personally reach me across all social media platforms @justrubyv. Enjoy!
On this episode I kick it with one of the pioneers of UG Hip Hop (Ugaflow), Navio. We talk state of affairs as far as UG Hip Hop is concerned, Navio lists his top 5 African countries in Hip Hop and we play his fave singles off his latest album, Strength in Numbers, as we discuss the project.
On ep. 3 of The Q!NGShip Podcast I share my views on the notorious Kenyan group, Ethic, known for their overly sexually explicit lyrics which are borderline rapey/paedophilic. I also discuss spanking as a method of disciplining children and share my views on the term "underrated" being overrated. Enjoy!
This is one of the most monumental interviews of my career, conducted in March 2019 while Toni Blackman was on a visit to Nairobi. We get into a deep discuss about the challenges facing us as women in Hop Hop, dive into mental health where she details her brother's suicide as well as Hip Hop's role in mental health. Enjoy!