For those who have tasted BlueBand margarine; you will be surprised to realise that they recently celebrated 60 years in Kenya.
It was in 1984 during the Blue Band Margarine Campaign in Kenya, that an unknown, smiling 11-year-old Chris Kamau (now 45) became a household image in East Africa by appearing on the Blueband tin holding a slice of bread with the popular spread.
To date, some people call him ‘BB’. Quick Talk interviewed Chris Kamau, now the chairperson of Kenya’s Actors Guild.
That was one famous kid! Tell me about your background, Chris.
My name is Chris Kamau. I am a citizen of the Republic of Kenya and by extension a proud member of the East African Community. I am the oldest of three children and I have a younger sister and brother.
I was brought up in the city of Nairobi and lived briefly in Europe and then came back home until my move to the USA in 1997. I pursued further studies all related to my chosen path of arts, entertainment and media.
Tell me more…
I am an arts, entertainment and media practitioner, who is an alumnus of Berkley College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and a graduate from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York, USA.
Were the arts and media always your childhood dream?
[Even as ] a child, I always had the dream I would end up being an entertainer of some kind and here we are today; I am actively engaged in the Kenyan arts, entertainment and media scene [he has done music in different genres including country, pop, broadway, R&B, rock, and gospel.]
Apart from being the Blue Band kid, any special memories of childhood?
Christmas season with all the family and the way we would have lots of food, drink, parties, love and laughter. Even then, we never forgot that the reason for the season was celebrating the birth of the Messiah. Our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ.
So, how did you even get to appear on the Blue Band tin?
This is how; you either believe in angels, miracles, pure luck, or all three. The way I ended up being the ‘Blue Band boy’ is the stuff of legend. It involved a curious set of circumstances, including being at the right place at the right time.
My mother had an appointment with my auntie, a frustrated creative director, and an equally bewildered team at a major multi-global advertising, marketing and public relations concern.
[There was] a brilliant marketer and artist, who has remained my good friend to this day, and one of the best photographers ever to come from this side of the world. It felt quite simply, amazing [seeing my face on the Blue Band tin]!
How much money were you paid?
At the time of shooting the Blue Band Margarine campaign in 1984, I was a minor and so, it was my parents who were entrusted with the payment on my behalf.
What are you currently doing?
I am the current chairperson of Kenya Actors’ Guild and very actively engaged in all things pertaining to and related to acting as a profession in Kenya.
Where do you draw your inspiration from each day, seeing as fame found you early in life?
I am a person who deeply values the gift of life that God chooses to bestow upon us, as He chooses and if He chooses daily.
My belief is that everyday I wake up in good health, safety and happiness is yet another day that God has granted me to fulfill my potential and that of others according to His will and His plan for my life. It is God that inspires me, regardless of the challenges, struggles, ebb and flow, highs and lows of life, each and every single day in my life.
Going to a supermarket/shop and seeing your face on the Blue Band tin everyday…!
At the time I was on the Blue Band can, it felt amazing! And very exhilarating and to this day, there are still quite a few people who refer to me as “BB”. I have always taken it in the intended spirit of jest that it is given.
If you were to be marooned on a desert island, what is the one thing you would take?
A genie that can grant me unlimited wishes!
