Kenyan dancehall veteran Redsan has opened up about the personal experiences that have influenced his music, revealing that speculation about his nationality inspired one of his popular songs.
The artiste, whose real name is Swabri Mohammed, said he often draws inspiration from events in his own life when writing music. He recalled an incident in 2004, shortly after returning from the United States, when his close association with Ugandan musicians Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone led some people to question his Kenyan identity.
Redsan said his frequent interactions with the two Ugandan stars resulted in some people associating him with Uganda and its culture.
“I write all my songs based on experience, the reason why I wrote Shika Glasi in 2004 when I came from the states,” Redsan revealed.
“When I came back from the States, there was this conversation of the ground that Redsan, we know who is not in the country right now, is not a Kenyan but is Ugandan because I used to hang out with Bebe Cool and Chameleone so much.”
According to the singer, the speculation made him think of how he could reaffirm his Kenyan roots and remind his audience where he came from.
“So guys associated me with the Ugandan culture,” he added.
How ‘Shika Glasi’ Addressed the Speculation
Rather than respond to the speculation verbally, Redsan said he chose to use his music to communicate his identity.
He deliberately recorded Shika Glasi entirely in Swahili as a way of connecting with Kenyan listeners and demonstrating that he was firmly rooted in the country.
“So I was like, how am I going to tell people that I am from Kenya? So I wrote a full Swahili song, so I did Shika Glasi just to tell guys that mimi ni mmoja wenu am from here,” he explained.
Redsan’s account highlights how personal experiences, public perceptions and his relationships with artistes across East Africa have influenced his creative work throughout his career.
Redsan Celebrates 30 Years in Music
Redsan remains one of Kenya’s most established dancehall artistes, having built a career spanning several decades.
His musical journey has included collaborations and friendships with prominent artistes across East Africa, including Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone.
In 2026, Redsan is marking 30 years in the music industry, celebrating three decades since he began his journey in dancehall.
The veteran artiste is set to mark the milestone with a concert dubbed Celebrating 30 Years of Dancehall Royalty at Nairobi’s Carnivore Gardens on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
The event is expected to feature several artistes who have played a significant role in shaping East African music, including Bebe Cool, Jose Chameleone, Jua Cali, Wyre, Nazizi and Brick & Lace’s Nyla.
Redsan’s latest reflection offers a glimpse into the experiences behind his music and how moments from his personal journey have influenced some of the songs that have defined his three-decade career.