Sometimes it is truism to say that the boy that you were makes you the man that you become. This is certainly the case for a young kid who spent much of his early years making racing cars from chicken fence wires, or from kimbo cooking oil cans, Jif Bleach plastic bottles or KCC milk packets.... For those unable comprehend or share such amusing memories these were times when kids in the city of East Africa had yet to be bombarded with video-games and computers from the western-world and had to make do with recycling waste packaging and using their creative ingenuity to make their own toys. Whilst some of these scenes and things are still existent in rural areas or ghetto areas of Kenya to most of the mid-twenties Kenyan generation they nothing but a distant memory, but not for one Nairobi native who later emigrated to the UK.

"Man, those were the times of my life. Waking up early Saturday morning, or during school holidays, to build cars and racing them around the neighbourhood after parading your creation. Or, making footballs from polystyrene paper and manila rope…. We would make anything from anything". These are the words of Sir Prestige, better known to his mum as Patrick Waweru, who is fondly reminiscing about his pre-teen years growing up in Golf-Course Estate, Nairobi. Those times definitely initiated the creative flare he would later rely on to become one of East Africa's' most profound hip-hop producer and independent record label owner. Seeking raw materials and creating ingenious play-things to compete against his peers and impress the young girls in the neighbourhood was to later be replaced with souring unique sounds to produce musical masterpieces to contribute to and make impressions on the hip-hop world.

"I apply the same intensity to my music that I did to the things I made back then". Without prompt he further explains, "For instance, I always seeked to create something different from what everyone else was making. Whatever I made had to have something unique about it so it could stand out from what everyone else had made. It had to look good and operate right and I would not be satisfied until everyone declared it to be the best. Furthermore, I was always on the quest to improve against any of my previous creations and I would not be satisfied until this was declared to be the case. But the backbone of all this is that is was all in good nature and was always fun - I adhere to the same principles towards my music production to this very day"

Sir Prestige emigrated to London back in 1986 and after being shocked by the extreme bitter-cold weather of the English winter exchanged his pursuit of everything football to become obsessed with music, especially his first love - Hip-hop. "I was already exposed and into hip-hop before I left Kenya but only had access to tapes the older guys (who had just returned from studying overseas) would dub for me". This coupled with the breakdance influx during that era were the creation of his deep rooted passion for hip-hop. He fondly remembers his first few days in the UK when he would frequently visit record stores just to look at record sleeves of records he had heard but never knew who recorded them. Little did he know he know at that point that in a few years he would be making a significant contribution to the music he so dearly loved.

The young versatile beat merchant who professes to have created nearly 200 complete and releasable recordings in the last 18 months describes his compositions as, "sophisticated conceptual audio illustrations". He confidently adds, "I would equate my role of as a music producer as similar to that of a movie director. My music must encompass depth and emotion. When I am producing my beats I envision graphical details thus constructing soundscapes for the vocalists to add additional motion." With no formal music training or background other than a long-time passionate interest he has established himself as one of UK's leading hip-hop producers and has earned the same reputation amongst the urban music scene in Kenya and hopes to transcend this to the rest of the world. Despite the considerable distance between his current overseas residency and country of birth the up-n-coming music mogul has maintained his identity as a Kenyan and truly represents his nation to the fullest. He makes regular touch-downs at Jomo Kenyatta International airport to add his contributions to an increasingly vibrant entertainment scene in Kenya - whether its to DJ, perform, produce, promote or write special features for European music publications.

He comments on his favourite past-time and recalls his entry into music production. "It started with DJing when I bought very cheap turntables and added gadgets like pitch control, start/stop buttons, tighter-belts, pop-up lights, etc. to imitate the much beloved Technics 1200 turntables and acquire cheap basic mixers and convert them with additional features - it was that creative flare and imagination of making something out of nothing at work again." He developed his skills whilst impressing his local friends and working with wannabe rappers. Shortly before his 15th birthday he fulfilled his first major ambition and bought his own pair of the expensive Technics from money earned for waking up early every morning and delivering newspapers.

"When everyone found out about my latest acquisitions my house became the local hang-out, even during school lunch breaks - I lived across the road from school. Soon I become every local rapper's DJ and when eventually I was not content on just playing instrumentals I sought knowledge on producing music after finding out how to compose music with a home computer I had originally purchased to play games on. At first it was all simple stuff, just looping breaks and scratching on top of that whilst my friends did the rhymes. When acknowledgement and excitement for my simple ideas wore thin I knew I had to elevate my creations and thus commenced various music technology courses and started to analyse music in a deeper manner".

In true African fashion his mum was getting concerned about his expanding interest in music and on many occasions obstructed his ambitions plus early opportunities and forcing him to concentrate on his education. "At the back of my mind I always knew that what my parents were trying to do was in my best interest so I slowed down my music progression and concentrated on finishing University as soon as possible - whilst at the same time trying to maintain my musical interests". At only 24 years of age, and much to the delight and satisfaction of his parents, he finished his studies at London's Southbank University with a HND in Business and Finance, BSc in Product Management and more impressively a Masters in International Marketing.

On completing his academic lifestyle he immediately set to formally creating his own production and management company, Social Misfit Entertainment and got a deal with the international entertainment group BMG to distribute the labels releases. The first official release was a highly acclaimed EP entitled "I Know That" featuring his cohort Chris Smoove and this attracted a lot of media attention and led to countless stage-shows. Their debut entered the UK urban charts and could be heard on radio everywhere including continuos air-play support form BBC Radio-One's Tim Westwood. But this was not enough and he set about fulfilling a personal ambition of performing a big show in his home country. He did so by contacting his childhood neighbour and long-time friend DJ Pinye, Tom Nyatome of Godfather Entertainment and together with Katee (Co-Director of Godfather Ent.) they set about to organise "Da-Show". This dual DJ and artist showcase held at Da Barn (Ngong Road) in March 1999 was very successful and also featured his rhyme partner Chris Smoove, school bestfriend and R&B sensation Tony Momrelle, female DJ As-If and former DMC champion DJ Kofi who he had previously worked with.

Prestige returned to Kenya again six months later for the Pamoja 99 concert alongside Hardstone for whom he was producing for in Ohio, US. He acted as Hardstone's sound-engineer, stage hype-man and DJ alongside DJ Pinye. "I met Hardstone during one of my previous regular return visits to Kenya and we immediately clicked. When he left Kenya and settled in the US we kept in touch and eventually I flew to Cleveland to assist with his new forthcoming album". He goes further to inform us that Kenya's favourite prodigal son is comfortable in his overseas home and getting a lot of attention throughout the US. The title-track of his forthcoming release, Dangerous, is already getting mad-love from club and radio DJs not only in the US but also in Kenya. This does not surprise Prestige especially when he reflects on the exciting vibe during the studio session for that deadly tune, "Everyone involved in the creation of that track was very excited even before we had finished it and believe me, the rest of his album is twice as deadly!".

Back in the UK Sir Prestige was also putting finishing touches to yet another Social Misfit release by a promising young group he had been developing called Da-Essence. This teenage foursome of African parentage are currently hot news in the UK and the hit songs of their 19 track album can even be heard on Kenyan airwaves where their CD (entitled "Now Till Infinity - The Street Album") is currently being promoted and well received.

"Social Misfit Entertainment is an ambitious young company striving for big achievements and our foundation is set upon producing and releasing genuine innovative street music. We are widely regarded as one of UK's most promising establishments within the urban music community and we intend to be fruitful on our potential". Other artists under his wings include Shiesty da Gypsy, Vega&Theory, SinisterMinisterz, Forensic and R&B diva Debrah West. They are all collectively known as Social Misfits and are certainly one of UK's premier hip-hop outfits". Not content with their increasing domestic success Prestige has international aspirations for his cohorts and obviously their first stop is East-Africa where they have commenced on making an impression. They are currently planning a sponsored tour to promote their pending collective epic CD entitled "Sir Prestige presents…. The Social Misfits" scheduled for late February. Stay observant for more information on this news.

Prestige also promises another exciting project he has recently commenced secretly upon featuring an array of Kenya's top hip-hop and R&B artists on to formerly launch his new off-shoot, Social Misfit (East Africa) Entertainment. He declines to comment further other than pointing out that these artists also happen to be his personal friends too and it is a venture they have all been discussing for a while now but the paper-work and managerial red-tape has yet to be concluded and therefore would rather speak when recording is complete and release date is scheduled.

In the meantime he reminds his fellow East-African wanainchi to support and encourage each others efforts. "In all honesty Kenya's music scene is currently possibly more vibrant and creative than here in the UK and I would even go as far as saying that I find it more exciting than any other market world-wide. We have so much potential in a very unsaturated market and we need to take advantage of this. Lets not all become artists and producers but also seek to support personnel in what will eventually become a primary music market. This means we need additional entrepreneurs working on music distribution, artist management, marketing, music publishing, legal advisors, video directors, etc. Those of us who have become exposed to how the industry works need to apply the relevant techniques and lets build a good and successful music empire in Kenya; East Africa; Africa, that can compete on a international; universal level".

Any last words "Yeah, shout-out to all my Kenya people - my entire family in Nairobi, Naivasha and Nakuru, Hardstone - one love, akina K'shaka (Kama, Johnie and Robo) - much love, Gidi/Maji, Warogi Wawilli plus the entire Mau Mau connection, my man DJ Pinye, Lui, Katee, Munio plus the entire Godfather Entertainment team, Groove Squad, our man Andai at Nubianunderground.com, my man Kawesa and Limit-X representing Uganda, my girl Gina - where you at? my girl Sharon and her female entourage, My homey Maina Kegeni, Evelyne Cheryl Ngunjiri, Swahilli Nation, Poxi, DJ Mosse da Dark Child, DJ Styles, Helen Bwika, Operation Recovery, Katy Salmon, Blaze and everyone at Phat magazine, John Agunda, Homeboyz, Ted/Mike/Dave at Audiovault, Pete Odera, Eric Wanaina, and ofcourse everyone who supports what we are doing here at Social Misfit Entertainment!"