Five X: Campus built the artist I am today, one step at a time

We know you from hit songs like Sawa Sawa, Paper and Missed Call. Other than that, who is Five X?

Five X is a creative at heart, but not many people know me as Ian, the mind behind Five X. Ian is the foundation, the young kid who grew up exposed to different art forms, from cartoons to music, which shaped who I am today.

Five X is my creative outlet, where I bring my ideas to life and express what Ian feels. It's where I get to experiment and create simply for the love of it.

Where and what did you study?

I studied Multimedia Communication and Journalism at Riara University. I've always loved film and the course gave me the perfect balance to explore different creative outlets within communication.

What were your favourite and least favourite units on campus?

My favourite unit was Multimedia Production. It was all about creating a full campaign using photography, video and storytelling. I loved it because it aligned perfectly with everything I enjoy.

My least favourite was Post Conflict, an International Relations elective I expected to be easy until I realised it relied heavily on history. My knowledge of historical conflicts wasn't very strong, so every class left me feeling like I knew less about the world around me. I dreaded it.

Who was your favourite lecturer? And your least favourite?

My favourite lecturer was Kinyeki. He believed in learning by doing, throwing us in at the deep end and letting us make mistakes before showing us how to improve. I really appreciated that approach. He was also laid back and easy-going, which made his classes enjoyable.

As for my least favourite, I honestly can't remember her name. She taught one of the International Relations electives and delivered the content as though everyone was already a history professor.

How was campus life generally?

Campus life was well balanced. I enjoyed both the social and academic sides without one affecting the other.

How did you make money while on campus?

Besides the pocket money I received, I earned extra cash by editing videos and photos, helping people with assignments, installing software and troubleshooting technical issues.

How was dating on campus?

I wouldn't say I had a very active dating life. I mostly watched other people go through their ups and downs.

What do you think about campus relationships?

I think campus relationships involve people trying to figure themselves out while also trying to understand someone else. Sometimes that becomes a complete mess. A lot of people date either because they're genuinely interested or because of the fear of missing out.

Where did you hang out on weekends?

Honestly, I'm mostly a homebody. But weekends became the foundation of my music career. I'd meet friends, grab a bite, brainstorm songs and plan music videos. We often headed to Ngong, where a friend knew hidden gems perfect for filming. We'd shoot videos, grab drinks, laugh and vibe until late.

Those weekends played a huge role in shaping the artist I am today.

What did you do during your free time?

I've always loved film and a YouTube channel called Corridor Crew sparked my interest in animation. At the same time, I watched lots of Lyrical Lemonade music videos, which inspired me to experiment with Blender and CGI.

Which classmate will you never forget?

Brian Sang. He was the MCA of our group. Everywhere we went, he knew someone, and somehow everyone on campus knew him too.

How did you get into music?

I started making music in high school, but the passion began much earlier. Growing up, my father introduced me to a lot of hip hop. He loved DMX and Eminem, so they were always playing in the car.

Years later, after spending so much time listening to music, I wanted to create my own. I got my first audio interface, bought a microphone and started recording and experimenting. I later met Badman Bright at ADMI, eventually shot my first music video and, from there, I was simply figuring things out one song at a time.

How has the music industry treated you?

It's been a real mix. As much as I love making music, life still comes with responsibilities, and sometimes finding time to create is the biggest challenge.

At the same time, the industry is welcoming because people are open to discovering new music. Social media has also levelled the playing field. You don't necessarily need connections anymore. If you package your work well, people will give it a chance.

On the flip side, the industry can be ruthless. People are quick to criticise your work, which is why you have to believe in yourself and your craft.

"Don't place too much expectations on others because that's often where disappointment begins. Know what you want, believe in yourself and stay focused."

Tell us about the making of Again.

Again continues a journey that began with an earlier song, Did It Again. After recording that track, I went back into the studio a few hours later thinking, "Damn. I did it again."

That thought became the song's opening idea and, over time, my personal mantra. For nearly four years, every time I stepped into the booth, I felt that same creative hunger.

Again reflects that journey. After all this time, I'm still here. My sound has evolved, my production has improved, but I'm still chasing the feeling that made me fall in love with making music in the first place.

Tell us about your latest project. What inspired it and should we expect collaborations?

My latest release is Walk. The music video, now on YouTube, blends CGI and animation while staying grounded in reality. It was inspired by the idea that life never stops and neither do our responsibilities, so you have to keep moving.

As for collaborations, I've been teasing a new track, Oga, featuring Gaccu and Swahili Papi, on social media. I'm especially excited about it because I pushed myself creatively with the production and our three distinct rap styles come together in a way I think listeners will really enjoy.

Will we see you practising communication full-time or is music now your main focus?

Communication is still a huge part of my journey. I'm currently furthering my studies in Digital Communication.

For me, it's never been a choice between communication and music because they complement each other.

What advice would you give upcoming musicians?

Understand that people will always be people. Don't place too many expectations on others because that's often where disappointment begins. Know what you want, believe in yourself and stay focused on your journey.

If people support you, appreciate it. If they don't, keep moving. Never let someone else's actions determine how far you'll go.