Did you know that Radio47’s and TV47’s new reggae shows host Kartellah Maicy, popularly known as Queen of the Mic, dreamt of being a lawyer while growing up?

Kartellah says that she gave up her childhood dream owing to the expensive nature of enrolling in a law school, and her family was unable to afford.

She told TV47’s Dr Ofweneke Tonight Show on Wednesday, June 4 that she ended up selling alcohol shots at a club in Westlands, Nairobi County.

Born in Lindi, Kibera and raised in Githurai, Kartellah grew up playing football, which landed her a scholarship that gave her the chance to complete her high school education.

She then joined a football team where she played in the Women’s Premier League, and earned a salary that she hoped would help her fund her education, but shortly after, the sponsor left unceremoniously.

“Mimi nilitaka kukua lawyer. But sasa, hakuna doo mtaani…sasa nitaenda kusomea wapi? Seco ball ndio imenilipia school fees. Hapa sa ikabidi, ni mimi na God…ni mimi tu. Ikabidi si nacheza ball? Nikacheza ball, nilikua team ilikua inalipa at least salary. Kucheza, sponsor akaishia…tukakaa miezi saba bila salo,” she narrated.

Having no source of income, she had to look for another job, opting to became a cowgirl, selling shots at Skylux Lounge, Westlands.

“Sa vile sponsor alienda, ikabidi lazima nitafute wìra… Nikaingia job. Nilikua cow girl, nilikua nauza shots kwa club,” she said.

Having worked as a cow girl for five years, she eventually quit. Then later landed a job as a roadshow dancer, then an MC. “Nilitoka job kama sijui nini nitadoo kesho… kidogo nimekaa naitwa road show, kama dancer.”

She added: “Kuna msee anaitwa MC Sherrif the Entertainer, akaniambia siku moja, ‘Kartellah vile huwa unaongea wewe, ebu jaribu kuwa MC’. At first nilikataa but kuna siku female MC alikuwa mgonjwa, nikapewa Mic nikaambiwa jaribu. Nilifanya blunder mob day 1 lakini.”