From Fagilia, Kikulacho to First Lady and King’asti, Mr Nice’s hit songs dominated the East African music industry in the mid-2000s, with him emerging as a pioneer of the Bongo Flava genre.
Not only his name, but also his songs rang out and were played on almost every radio station at the time, making him a household name all over the region.
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Nevertheless, just as quickly as Mr Nice rose to fame, his name faded away after only a few years of dominance and stardom.
In this segment, Times Digital Kenya takes a look at how the once top East African musician suddenly declined just when everyone thought he was at the peak of his career.
Mr Nice’s Career Peak Background
Born Lucas Mkenda, Mr Nice rose to fame in the mid-2000s at a time when there was scarce internet access and no vibrant social media platforms. As a result, his songs enjoyed massive airplay on radio and TV stations in almost every home, making him extremely popular across East Africa.
Although Mr Nice debuted in the music industry with his album Kidali Po in 1999, it was his second album, Rafiki, released in 2002, that made him a sensation and a music star.
In the Rafiki album, Mr Nice’s hit songs, including Fagilia Wote, Rafiki, Kikulacho, and Kuku Kapanda Baiskeli, played a huge role in the turning point of his career.
Post-Peak Challenges
Despite his previous success as a top musician not only in his home country Tanzania but also in Kenya and Uganda, Mr Nice reportedly faced a significant downfall, even reaching a point of bankruptcy.
He was accused of going from grace to grass due to alcoholism, but he maintained that it has never affected his career.
During a past interview with a local news outlet, Mr Nice also downplayed claims of being broke, stating that he still had the money he earned from his songs over the years.
“What people don’t know is that they gave me a lot of money that I am still using to date. Those who claim I am broke don’t know what they are talking about – I am very loaded,” Mr Nice said here
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Although at his peak he seemed untouchable, in the 2010s, he struggled to keep up with the new crop of Tanzanian musicians such as Ali Kiba and Diamond Platnumz.
Life in Kenya
In 2013, he made a comeback and was signed by Kenya’s record label Grandpa Records, but it was a short-lived stint. He was accused of being uncooperative and failing to show up for studio sessions due to drinking, while he, in turn, accused the label of not paying his dues.
In 2020, he relocated to Kenya seeking a fresh start away from his home country, Tanzania. Mr Nice anticipated that he would find greater music appreciation in Kenya, unlike in Bongo.
As of today, Mr Nice, whose real name is Lucas Mkenda, has yet to release a hit song or a track on the level of his mid-2000s hits.
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Despite not being in the limelight like in past decades, Mr Nice owns a studio, Takeu Music Empire, in Mlolongo, Kenya, where he supports upcoming artists.
