Everything one experiences can push them in various directions. For Prince MaGan, whether it was a major move or the loss of a loved one – the direction was always creative. A master of sound, this multi-genre artist doesn’t let anything restrict his art. We talked about that, his Kenyan roots, and more in this back and forth exchange between an artist and a writer.
Kendra: When I was younger, the thing that always fascinated me was books about the everyday life of people who lived elsewhere. When you relocated from Kenya to Kentucky, what everyday life things did you immediately notice were vastly different?
Prince MaGan: It’s heart filling that you bring that up, that’s the same thing that fascinated me about coming to America. I honestly couldn’t even imagine it, all I knew was the things people would say about the land of opportunities. Like money grows on trees but to answer your question, what I noticed that was vastly different was the structure that was put in place for everyone to grow through. Me, my siblings, including my parents had to leave the house and come back at a certain time, everyone was either leaving the house for school or work.
Kendra: Being so young when you moved, were you able to hold onto things from your Kenyan roots?
Prince MaGan: People definitely come over here with their roots with them. With that being said, my mom would do her best to make sure her kids knew their roots. I just hope she understands we won’t be perfect because we are the first generation of kids to step foot on US soil.
Kendra: Your late brother is the one who first introduced you to music when you were around 11-years-old. What was the first piece of music he showed you and how do you think that shaped where you are today as an artist?
Prince MaGan: I appreciate the fact that you know that. I definitely believe God used my big brother as a vessel that would introduce me to music and to who I am today. The first piece of music my brother put me on was 50 Cent’s “Many Men.” That song definitely influenced me to put everything I feel and what I’m going through into my music.
Kendra: Because your style is varied. You cover everything from R&B and pop to hip hop all while bringing afrobeat to the mix. Was this choice to be so diverse in sound intentional?
Prince MaGan: Being an artist that can cover everything from R&B, Pop, Hip Hop, and bring afrobeat to the mix was not something I planned to do in the beginning but as I got older, my taste for the type of music I liked grew. That’s when I made it intentional and made my goal to have a version of me in all genres. This is of course to reach and meet the needs of all people.
Kendra: Circling back to your brother. You lost him, your home, and a girlfriend while writing a lot of your music. Do you feel that your music was in turn therapeutic?
Prince MaGan: I would definitely say my music was therapeutic while I was going through that part of my life. No matter what happens I know I can run to music to free myself, it’s crazy it used to be just for me to hear but now it’s way bigger than just me.
Kendra: 2020 pushed people in various directions personally, financially, creatively. For you, how do you feel 2020 has shaped your creativity and drive moving forward?
Prince MaGan: 2020 for me honestly was the best year of my life, personally I’ve been able to get closer with God, music, family, and old relationships. Financially as we speak everything is falling in place, and creatively I’ve been working on different projects with great publishing companies. These projects have been pushing me to different flows and songs.
Kendra: Usually, this is where I ask people what they have planned in the coming months but with the world in a strange place right now, plans aren’t as concrete as they typically are. You can go ahead and let us know what you have tentatively planned but can you also share a song that never fails to get you through when the world around you feels like a mess?
Prince MaGan: My plan is to launch the artist one so my fans can have a way to grow with me and have a chance to listen to exclusive music before it drops, discounts on tickets/ merchandise, and a chance to win my monthly giveaway. Also to get land more sync deals, and pumping out more content. For your last question that song would have to be my song “Through the Pain.” I was crying when I wrote that song.
