Premiere • Chai Tulani: "Missed Call"
What can I say about Chai Tulani, a young emcee originally from Kenya, but that's called Chicago home since a small child? I've been hooked on his music for several years now, going back before These Days was even a thing. Like many things I like, Chai's music was off the beaten path and rarely if ever conformed to sounds you hear from other contemporary artists. Keeping Kenya close to his heart and visiting regularly, his hometown culture as well as Chicago definitely inspires and influences the music Chai has been creating.
While working on a his debut album, Chai has decided to give away some music that means a lot to him, but won't make the upcoming project. Produced by a brother duo out of Australia by the name of Surf Dad, "Missed Call" was originally released as an instrumental over four years ago, but is brought back to life with Chai's addition. We miss calls everyday from friends, family, significant others, etc. It happens. There's normally no permanent damage caused, we call back and it's business as usual. That's not the type of call Chai is talking about though, his call is a once in a lifetime opportunity and missing it will change the direction of his life forever. Stay alert, don't miss your calling. Who knows, it could all start with reading our short interview with Chai below and listening to his new song, so don't go missing this call!
Tell new listeners who may not know you where you're from and what your experience has been with pursuing music in Chicago thus far.
I was born in Nakuru, Kenya (East Africa) I lived there until I was four years old, My family then relocated to the Roseland neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. I've been back and forth from Kenya and Chicago (and the south suburbs) ever since. Pursuing music in Chicago has been quite the journey so far. Over all it's been pretty great. Chicago is a pretty lit place to be doing music right now. I started doing music full time in January of 2014 and since then I've come across so many dope artists both musicians/rappers and visual artists. In Chicago you don't have to be "plugged" because you walk past people who are making waves in the music industry on the regular by just going out to shows, open mics, or even consistently going out to studios, or facility's like Music garage in the west loop. There's just so much talent here. I'm consistently surrounded by amazing creatives and when we collaborate its almost like we make beyond just music, we form inspiration within our compositions.
Can you tell us about some people locally who have influenced your music or career as a musician?
Haha all pride and ego aside on this one. Locally the most influential artist that has not only influenced but also inspired me is definitely Supa Bwe. I don't know him on a personal level, but I've kept up with him over the years musically and I just always see consistent growth and development with him. I first saw Supa Bwe at an open mic at Music Garage in the fall of 2013 (i'm pretty sure it was October) and i remember very vividly that during and before the performance he kept trying to prompt the audience to scream "Supa!!!" Only one person in the audience was screaming it and it was his manager (Wisam) I didn't know who he was at the time either, and also the cd he brought for the performance wasnt working so they had to use soundcloud. But less than a year later in the summer of 2014 he had full ass venues like Reggies, Portage theatre, and hella dope venues screamin "Supa!!" I just think he's dope as hell. My music doesn't sound too much like his, but that energy and passion for what he does definitely adds some fire to my spirit. And Chance the Rapper was on his last project and it's one of my favorite songs by him. Its cool to know i was once on the same open mic list has him.
How did "Missed Call" come together? Who did you work with?
Missed call came about at a very vulnerable time for me. I wrote and recorded it around April of this year, I was lost in my own thoughts of what truly grounded me. Trying to understand that place in my mind I go to when I feel like no one or nothing can stop me. I soon discovered that the only thing that gives me that much drive and dedication is my calling. Each and every human being on earth has a calling from the most high. Unfortunately 95% of us miss that call. So I decided to make a song reminding myself not to miss my call regardless of what happens around me because that call is what will lead me to Zion. It will lead me to the best version of myself. Hopefully when others listen they can feel the same. The song was produced by a guy named Surf Dad.
Is this new single part of something bigger on the horizon?
I believe everything I release is part of a new horizon. "Missed Call" is a song I wanted to put out while I continue to work on my first live studio album, so it's not going to on the next project, however it's all still connected.
Leading up to the cold winter months, how do you plan to keep new and old fans engaged in your movement?
In the cold months of winter I plan on keeping new and old fans connected by releasing visuals, not music videos, but photoshoots and illustrations that tell the story of a journey that we all experience, just in different perspectives. Also, even though I do big and small show very often, I plan to stay tight with the open mic community. We learn a lot from each other.
