Breeder LW's Secret to Success: Unpacking His Rise, Lyrical Style and Building a Music Empire

Hailed by many as potentially the most quotable rapper in Kenya, hip-hop artist Breeder LW has denied that and instead explained that his music is more relatable than quotable.

In a recent appearance on the Beatz ‘n’ Buzz show on NTV Kenya, while acknowledged for his quotable lines,Breeder LW delved deeper into the essence of his music and identity, emphasizing that his true connection lies not just in catchy phrases, but in being profoundly relatable, an attribute forged by his roots in the streets.

He also made it clear that he likes celebrating even the smallest of his wins, something he does on purpose. He clarifies that his identity isn't fabricated by the industry; he is the person the streets molded.

Breeder states emphatically, "I'm from the streets, and the streets made me who I am today. I'm just trying to get in and then change. It's purposeful. I'm from the streets.

The streets made me. None of that is fabricated by the industry. I'm a man. They know me. They know all my roots.”

Having spent time in areas like Eastland and Dagoretti, he explains that people who know him know his entire story because he's been present in these environments. This upbringing forms the bedrock of his artistic expression.

This deep connection to his origins directly influences his goal of relatability in music. When asked about being quotable versus relatable, Breeder LW links the two directly back to the streets.

“Coming from the streets, I'm not a quotable. I make things relatable. When you hear my songs, they are relatable. I used to tell you, thatI'm not talking about the songs you listen to, some things happen. As a lyricist, you have to have a creative way,” Breeder explained himself.

Breeder LW describes his lyrical style as a creative way of writing about things that happen in real life. He sees himself as a "lyrist" with the skill to take these real-life occurrences and present them in an entertaining way through his music.

He gives an example from his track "Rampage," where he mentions not eating sambusa because even donkeys are sold as meat.

Growth in the music industry, for Breeder LW, has been a gradual process, step by step. He firmly believes in time and process, stating that everything happens in its due time and shouldn't skip steps.

His journey has involved consistent work (mboka), releasing songs (madoba), albums, and collaborations. He credits his core team – TK, Kenyan Creature, Byron, and Metro – his "mbogi," as the ones who have been with him since the beginning, helping him navigate his rise.

He views music as inherently collaborative. According to Breeder LW, "You can't make a song by yourself”. Whether it's performing, which requires a DJ and dancers, or recording, which needs a producer, no aspect of music is truly isolated. Being a team allows everyone to play their role effectively.

He notes that while managing oneself isn't very popular in Kenya's music scene, having a team that moves together with a shared vision is crucial.

This team approach is also vital because the industry requires significant financial investment to ensure everyone, from the artist to the production team, is supported.

Breeder LW acknowledges that earning significant income doesn't happen immediately; "It doesn't just come up and start earning right away" while sharing relatable struggles that he encountered on his journey up the ladder of the Kenyan music scene.

His recent success is evident in the numbers. His song "Deadly," which he describes as a commercial track, has achieved significant streams, reaching 7 million across platforms by March and later hitting around 12 million.

He considers reaching a million views or 100k streams on platforms like Spotify as moments that signal significant growth.

He emphasizes that genuine passion is key, stating that he loves music so much he would perform even after a tough personal event.

If the motivation is solely external, like earning money, it becomes difficult to stay grounded when income fluctuates.

Through his conversation, Breeder LW painted a picture of an artist deeply connected to his roots, prioritizing authentic, relatable storytelling drawn from the streets, while navigating the complexities of the music industry with the support of a dedicated team and an unwavering passion for his craft.