music
Prezzo
Jackson Ngechu or popularly known as CMB Prezzo was born in the Nairobi in the 80s and grew up in the streets of Eastleigh.
He started his musical dream years ago but only blew up in the early years of the 21st century. He describes his early years as being hectic especially as school was not one of his favorite things to do.
"As much as being in school was fun, it also had its rough patch. Mathematics used to pose a serious challenge to me and would just dampen my resolve to excel in school. At times I would hate school despite my mother's exhortations. In fact, when I was 16, I once ran away from home when my mother insisted that I take my school work seriously. I escaped from home and went to stay with a friend with whom I would party the whole week. However, I eventually returned home because I realised I could not party forever. I realised that the solution was not in running away from home but in facing my studies head-on."
"Best advice: Just at the time when school was threatening to drive me crazy, my mother weighed in with a priceless piece of advice. 'After every dark night, there is always a bright day,' she advised. Her words of wisdom helped me get over the stressful parts of school life."
In fact, he still applies her advice in his career as a musician. Despite what critics might say, he always knows that his bright days come when his songs are appreciated by hundreds of fans and played by scores of clubs and radio stations.
His debut album 'Naleta Action' was released in 2004 and included hits like: 'Naleta Action', 'Lets Get Down', 'Mahangaiko', 'Leo ni Leo', 'Mimi na Wewe', 'Mafans' among others. This album also featured his own mother - who sang a few lines in one of the songs. The album sold a good number of copies which proved the appreciation for this new artist from his fans.
Prezzo was widely accepted in East Africa and his popularity heightened by his flossing antics. He is well known for his flashy lifestyle consisting of expensive jewellery, lavish clothing, flashy cars among an array of other fine things.
Prezzo featured in a love ballad with his then girlfriend titled 'Tazama Mbele' produced by Ennovator the genius behind Samawati productions. The video directed by Ted Josiah was a hit and it went straight to the top of the East African TV chart and held its position for over eight weeks.
He released his next single in 2006, which was greatly anticipated. The video for the track 'P.R.E.Z.Z.O' was shot and directed by Ted Josiah of Blu Zebra. The video was indeed a quality production as is normally the case with a Blu Frames production but its critics termed it as too expensive for its own good.