On this page you can enjoy excerpts from the self-titled album by Sugu and read revealing commentary from the album's executive producer, Sir Prestige, telling tales behind each of the featured songs.
Naturally, the full tracks better compliment these comments and thus we recommend you acquire the actual album to get the full picture behind each song's story. Check the Connexions link for where to purchase the album online.
1. Kwenye Mbio (Feat Balozi aka DolaSoul) - Listen to this track
Produced by 9 Lives (Stone Circle/Drunk Monk Productions) and Sir Prestige
Sugu and I shared the opinion that his longtime hiphop fans needed to be blessed with something that bridged his previous releases and where he wanted to be at musically on the new project. My Social Misfit associate 9-Lives stepped up to the challenge and did this beat specifically for Sugu upon request. I added some more elements to the track give it an slight old-skool feel to it.
Sugu initially spat 3 verses on the track but later came back to me telling me he wanted Balozi to replace his last verse. That Balozi verse was recorded in a studio in New York City where Balozi now resides - gots to big up Balozi and Cool Nerd for making that happen s quickly. For those that don't know Balozi is another Bongo hiphop legend that has performed with Sugu extensively so it was only right to have him on the album at whatever cost or efforts required.
2. Alright Listen to clip of this track
Produced by Sir Prestige
This is possibly the song that got Sugu excited about getting back in the studio again. The beat was originally used on the Social Misfits album and this was amongst Sugu's favourite tracks on that album. He really loved the beat and because we had so many new beats to chose I was initially hesitant on letting him re-use it but he cunningly got me to let him spit on it.
He asked to load up the beat so he could freestyle on it and when I heard him ride that beat I could not deny him the chance to record on it. I remember he spat the verses not knowing what to do on the chorus and I took a break from the studio to make us some drinks and came back with the hook. My boy Plan was present for the session so got him to step in the booth too for the hook, adlibs and outro's.
The beat was originally produced back in 2001 but improved during a later mixdown to give it a brighter mix than that on the Social Misfits album. If you got Social Misfits album I'll leave you to decide which is the better song over the beat.
3. Sistaz song Listen to clip of this track
Produced by Sir Prestige
Sugu was residing in Birmingham during most of the recording of the album so had to make regular trips to record in London. That meant that on most occasions I did the beats in his absence. I heavily utilised the postal system to supply him beats via Mini-Disc or CD. I recall doing this beat knowing that I was gonna get something real special from him.
The beat just landed in my head from nowhere oneday whilst driving quietly. I remember calling my own number to record the melody on my voicemail thus insuring I did not forget it. Soon as I could get in the studio I quickly put it down and sent it to him the following day. Soon as he got the MD he called me, made arrangements to come down to London and a few days later it was a wrap. He told me that he had been sitting on these lyrics for a few years waiting for that perfect beat and soon as he heard the beat he knew it was perfect for the concept. I am sure it only took us a couple of hours to record it, everything just worked out perfectly. Plan B passed through and through in some more vocabs on the hook as did my girl Natali Williams. Though usually quite reserved about putting my voice on record I had no hesitations adding my voice on the hook. I love this record to death!
On this joint Sugu is rhyming about the worlds oldest trade, prostituition. He is giving advice to young women caught up in this particular business to always take precautions and if you are gonna get caught up in selling yourself make sure you value the reasons why you are doing it.
NB: The studio outtake, "What Do You Think About That" at the end of Alright was actually taken from this track!
4. Nishai Listen to clip of this track
Produced by Sir Prestige
I was doing this beat initially with another artist but when Sugu arrived a the studio he immediately started rapping to it. Then he steps up to the mic and next thing I know is we are recording what you hear. That track was never planned, it just happened! Sugu is just dropping some ill freestyle verses, bragging about his superiority as an a real MC, etc.
I really like the arrangement on this joint. The horns on the hook were added just prior to mixdown and I some of you will be able to recognise the source. I am really into sampling stuff but coincidently this is only one of only two tracks on the album that features samples heavily.
5. Ningeweza Listen to clip of this track
Produced by Sir Prestige and DJ Edu (Edu's Productions)
Me and my boy Edu (another Kenyan badbwoy DJ and upcoming beatsmith) knocked this beat together. I don't remember much about the recording session but this was one of a few tracks that we knocked out during the many multi-recording sessions we had whenever Sugu was in the studio.
This track nearly didn't make the final selection of the album and I am glad it did cause it has consistantly received commendation.
6. DJ Pinye Interlude Listen to clip of this track
Produced and Edited by Sir Prestige
Pinye and I go way back and he too is a longtime fan of Sugu. Many have been surprised to hear him vocally featured on this album. Despite being a radio presenter Pinye is usually quite shy and unless he has to he often shys from taking much. He wanted to make a contribution on the album andrather than just get him to do some cuts I managed to talk him into doing this. Though we give the impression that the interlude was recorded from his radio show it was actually recorded in the studio during his many UK visits. He did several takes of this and his comments were his actual real impressions of the tracks he had heard so far from album. I edited it abit and added the additional jingles at a later date - must big up everyone who's voice is heard on it considering I did not even ask for your personal permission.
7. Mikono Juu Listen to clip of this track
Produced by Sir Prestige
It's a party joint with a hook asking you to put your hands up. One of the last few tracks to be recorded for the project. I vaguely remember just messing about on the keyboard when I did this beat. Initially I was not sure that Sugu would want it cause it was abit experimental and quite uptempo for his style. When Sugu heard it he immediately jumped on it and proved his versatility. To some extent this track is him, and I, celebrating the fact that we were coming towards the completion of recording the album.
Sugu did his verses on the track and the beat sat without a hook for nearly two months before my longtime collaborator Tina Roberts stepped up with the right concoction to cook up on the chorus. I remembered playing her contribution to Sugu over the phone whilst he was in Birmingham and he flipped with excitement. He travelled to London shortly afterwards re-dubbed the song and added his vocabs to Tina's hook. Now put your hands up!
8. 999 - Listen to this track
Produced by J Sterling (Radar Productions)
This is the only track on the album that I had very little involvment with. As a member of the legendary Kwanza Unit - one of the other names who layered foundations of Bongo Flava, Samia X and Sugu go way back. X now resides in the UK so it was only right to get them in the studio and work together. Fortunately X is hooked up with his own studio and production label in Derby (Radar Records) so all Sugu had to do is travel there and spend a few days with them. The guys recorded several joints together and this is what I selected for the project - even though it took 14 different mixdowns to get me to be content with it!!
Some say that this beat has has a reminiscent twist of that Neptunes sound. All l can say is that this is a heavy joint that will be appreciated by many. If this is anything to go by Radar Productions are about to do big things. Wassup J Pesa???????
9. Moto Chini - Listen to this track
Produced by Kiboy (BlaO Productions) and Sir Prestige
This was the first song we recorded for the album. My boy Kiboy, another hot Kenyan producer (based in Sweden) had sent me some beats for another Social Misfit project and I specifically picked this beat to forward to Sugu. Those taraab instruments just gave me instant thoughts of the Eastern coast of Africa. I clearly remember that recording session because it was the first time all three of us were all working with each other. Sugu already had the lyrics set and all we did was arrange the lengths of his verses re-write the hooks and bridges plus sprinkle the beat with some nice subliminal touches.
I fondly remember producing this joint, especially recording that hook. It was hilarious, the three of us doing take after take to fatten up the vocals and dissing each other whenever anyone of us messed up up. I also recall it was really hot in the studio and some of us couldn't handle the heat and had to record topless. Hilarious!
Right from the outset I wanted every song on the album to be a big potential single and it was clear that we were off to a good start after recording this song. Though this was the first track recorded it was the last one mixed and completed.
10. Mamtoni Listen to clip of this track
Produced by Sir Prestige
Had to do some crate digging on this album so here's my homage to the heritage of hiphop. Have to admit I was probably under the influence of that Nas joint "Made You Look" when I did this this beat even though it doesn't sound like it. Its just an oldskool but rare break I had been sitting on for a while. Chopped it up some and just had fun with it.
Sugu spits some amusing but real lines about the plights and tribulation people in his hometown (and neighbouring countries) take to walk on the pavements covered in gold anywhere outside Africa and especially USA or Europe. The idea of the track came from a conversation about how we were continously seeing people from our countries (and other parts of Africa too) come to the UK and just waste away the opportunities they have. For example, how parents would utilise their life savings and fundraise money from everyone they know to send their son to college / university overseas and he eventually ends up caught up in a mess, not finishing his studies, settles for a job in a fast food restaurant and rather than return to a proud home only brings back shame from his overseas adventures.
We did two versions of this joint. Listen out for the more laidback version when we decide to give it to ya.
11. Watoto Wa Mitaani Listen to clip of this track
Produced by Sir Prestige
This is a joint about the escaling number of homeless kids living on the streets of many developing cities worldwide. Sugu has always been a voice of the voiceless and on this touching tune he salutes these kids for the survival skills and encourages them to put these skills to help themselves get out of the situations they find themselves caught up in.
Look out for exclusive audio (not featured on the album) when this website is fully developed. In the meantime you can also enjoy this promotional exclusive mixtape featuring a few tracks that are not featured on the album THE EXCLUSIVE SUGU PRESENTATION.