Country Wizzy's melodic journey: From gifted guitar to East African rap maestro

In the vibrant echoes of Mikocheni, on the day of his birth, Ibrahim Mandingo received a gift that would set the rhythm of his life in motion—a guitar from his uncle.

Known to the world as "Country Boy" or "Country Wizzy," he emerged from a family immersed in the arts. His mother, a choir singer, and his brother, a prominent radio personality and rapper, paved the early verses of his melody-filled tale.

Growing up, he absorbed the lyrics of his brother's rap group, "Wandago Family," which he later performed at his primary school graduation. "Music raised me; I loved music and dancing. And I have been performing on stage since I was in primary school," he reminisces, a testament to the harmonious influence that surrounded his formative years.

Despite being a young man in his early thirties, December marked the 13th anniversary of Country Wizzy's rap career, solidifying his status as a legend in the East African rap scene.

For him, music was not merely a career choice; it was a calling. Had it not been for the allure of melodies, he humorously muses about an alternative path as a comedian, confident in his ability to elicit laughter.

"I like making people laugh... I’m full of funny jokes,” he says while giggling. “If I wasn’t a musician, I would have been a comedian,” adds Country.

An ironic twist in his narrative lies in his reserved nature off-stage. Country Boy, as he was initially known, was a man of few words. This characteristic caught the attention of Adam Mchomvu, a presenter from Clouds FM, who bestowed upon him the moniker "Country Boy."

This name, stemming from his reluctance to talk without a microphone, painted him as an aspiring artiste not inclined to boast about connections, even with his notable brother, Babuu Wa Kitaa. "They used to call me Ninja wa Kitaa. I was Ninja, but since my brother was famous, they added ‘wa Kitaa’ to my name also. But that didn’t last after I met Adam Mchomvu, who gave me a better, aka” shared Country Wizzy.

While having a brother in the limelight could have been a shortcut to success, Country Wizzy refrained from exploiting the familial connection. Instead, he embraced the label of a "country boy," or representative of his homeland, Tanzania, embedded in his stage name.

Leaving the formal education path after earning his diploma, he redirected the funds earmarked for further studies into his musical endeavours. “My mother asked me three times, ‘are you sure?’ before she agreed to let me quit school. I am grateful she believed in me,” he explains.

A staunch belief in his abilities propelled him through seven years of struggle before achieving the acclaimed fame and fortune he envisioned.

"Three things helped me out: first, I believed in what I was doing, and I prayed a lot. I told myself that if God gave me this talent, then He would help me reach miles through it. Third is respect; you won’t hear Country Wizzy is involved in anything; I respect the industry and people in general,” he says.

In the tumultuous landscape of the music industry, Country Wizzy witnessed the downfall of many contemporaries who succumbed to depression, drugs, or lost their lives.

Reflecting on the harsh reality, he acknowledges, “The music game is not easy; the road to success is long and hard, and if you are not strong-willed, you will not break through."

His early days as a rapper were marked by challenges in connecting with an audience. As a member of the group Mtu Che with Young D and Stamina, he faced resistance for rapping in English, a language deemed unfavourable by fans.

His unique style often relegated him to the side-lines, with promoters failing to recognise his potential.

According to him, “During shows, they would call ‘Mtu Che’ to perform at different shows. While my peers got paid, I was just told to accompany them. It hurt, but I didn't give up; I held onto what I believed in."

However, as the musical landscape evolved, so did the tastes of fans. In 2017, Country Wizzy's "swanglish" music, blending Kiswahili and English, found resonance, catapulting him to fame with the hit song "Turn Up." He chuckles about the misconception that he was Nigerian due to his English lyrics, emphasising that his Swahili roots remained intact.

“Many hip-hop songs talk about street life and hustling, but my songs were different. Although later, I had to make one in that style called "Mateso," featuring Linah” he further explains.

But from 2017 to 2020, his star ascended, allowing him not only to pursue his passion but also to financially support his family.

Reflecting on the challenging journey, he admits, "My sister, our second born, supported me financially. I used to ask my siblings and relatives for money to finance my music; it was a very painful experience, but it was a relief to see even a dream come to fruition."

As he marks 13 years in the rap game, Country Wizzy remains steadfast in his belief that the best is yet to come. With uncharted milestones ahead, he stands at the intersection of his past struggles and future triumphs, a melody-maker with an unwavering commitment to the rhythmic beats of his dreams.