Augustine Kavindu is a Kenyan Politician and an African artiste with the rare skill of diversifying different music genres as demand arises. He is the CEO of Sheng Records and the force behind giving the Kenyan Music the Identity Sheng Music with the support of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture in Kenya. Although he did not grow up in an urban setting like many successful musicians, he develope
d an ear for urban music especially hip hop at an early age. He started out as a performing artiste at the age of 9 and at the age of 12, he did his first own original composition. This was at a time when hip hop was heavily linked with crime and drugs both locally and internationally, but despite this and against all odds, Influxx created a massive but passionate following of fans. In 2005, he recorded and released his first single titled “Wazim” which was later incorporated in his debut album “Ndani yangu” in 2008 and led to his 2009 nomination as the most promising artiste, Africa Category in Germany. This Album sold over one hundred thousand copies by December 2011. In 2011, Influxx released his sophomore project simultaneously releasing two music albums titled “Swagga Flani” and “Last Episode.” The Swagga Flani album featured an originally arranged instrumental of the Kenya National anthem, the songs “Nayo Nayo”, “Mr.President” and “Nikubalie” which enjoyed much rotation in many radio stations locally and elsewhere on the continent, most notably in Tanzania. Songs like “Mbona”, “Kwachua” , “Nilijua” and “Chokoza” from the “Last Episode” album also featured on heavy rotation in several Kenyan radio stations. In 2013 Influxx published his 4th album titled “Wazito” and his 5th in 2015, titled “Short Message”. In 2016 he released his 6th Album titled “Real Hustle” which was closely followed by his 7th titled “Mhesh” in the same year and in 2020 released his 8th titled “Fanya Justice”. Most of this music has been re mastered and re commercialized in a TOP 40 Compilation EP Now available in stores. He also released his 9th Album in August 2021 Titled “Breaking Loose”. This is a nine track EP with an Intro of the chorus extracted from the “No Return” Political satire and songs like “Sina”, “Bado Nipo”, “Mtoto Wangu”, “Faya”, “Vitu Fine”, “Free”, Suicide Note" and “Ananipenda”. Back to 2015, Influxx teamed up with other light minded musicians who wanted to streamline the music industry in Kenya after realizing he was not making money from his music despite the heavy rotation on radio. They formed the Kenya National Union of musicians(KENUM) and their main objective was to ensure that musicians earned from their art. He became the first secretary general before being elected as chairman in 2016. This is the union that demonstrated against MCSK, Other CMOs, KECOBO and the media houses who were not paying broadcast royalties. KENUM later teamed up with other music associations and unions to form the Kenya Gospel and Secular Artists Federation (KEGSAF) where he became the vice chairman of the federation. Influxx was also in the team set up by Parliament and the Ministry of sports, Culture and the Arts in Kenya to fast track the creation of the Music Bill and the Copyright Amendments Act. He has been in the forefront in actualizing the Music Policy, Film Bill, Film and Stage Plays Amendments Bill and Various CAK Regulations on local content quota among other legal frameworks to professionalize the creative industry in Kenya. As a leader in the music industry, he has strongly advocated for equity, transparency and accountability in management of music resources and strongly believes that the strengthening legal frameworks will provide a long lasting solution for the creative industry. He in the 2017 general elections and the 2019 By elections run and lost the Embakasi South Parliamentary Seat with the aim of going to parliament himself to effect the changes desired for the Industry. His manifesto focused on diversifying the traditional employment channels, Talent Development, Technology and Improving business environments for youth economies considering that 80% of Kenyan youth are unemployed. He argued that if Arts, Film, Music, Fashion and Sports industry is keenly developed, 60% of the jobless in Kenya will gain Self, Private or Government employment.
