My Brilliant Career Liz lives music that elevates the mind and heals the soul
Liz Ogumbo-Regisford is a singer, although she likes to call herself a creative entrepreneur
When did you start singing, and when did you realise that you wanted to make it your career?
I was born into music.
I am named after my great-great-grandmother, who made money through music from the 1860s.
My father’s influence is reflected in his teaching me Luo songs that have given me a foundation based on my rich roots, culture and heritage, while the Christian songs taught by my mother influenced my lifestyle and the values I live by.
Generally, my dad was a great host, and, when guests came home night after night, guess who entertained them?
You are releasing an album. How did you get to this point?
I call my sound “KenSoul” (My Kenyan Soul). I realised very early that it would be difficult to find a genre for my sound because of my diverse influences. However, at the core is my Kenyan Soul, my KenSoul.
Through KenSoul, I embrace my roots and culture through my two albums that highlight my passionate belief in fostering relationships and projects that advance the African creative industry.
I am not the most patient person, but I am working on it one day at a time. I love everything about making music because I get to write and create and tell my stories in my way through beautiful music.
If I could stop everything and just compose, write and create music every day, that is what I would do, because music is my soul and it’s not going anywhere as long as I am alive in this world.
Who are your favourite musicians and why?
I love a wide variety of good music — hiphop, reggae, jazz, taarab, chakacha, blues and swing. I love a lot of African music I grew up on, which has never been recorded. Some of my favourite artists are Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Etta James, Nina Simone, Bob Marley, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Patra, Fugees, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
At one stage, I wanted to be Madonna, and my parents just thought I had lost it.
What do you find most meaningful in the work you do?
Music is life, and, as we go through life we need beautiful melodies and harmonies to take us through. I believe that through my music I elevate minds, soothe souls and serenade energies. I use music to edutain.
What work would you do if you couldn’t do what you do now?
If I couldn’t do what I do now I would just sing my life away.
What advice would you give to young people wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Life is too short to be mediocre.