Born in the USA, growing up in Kenya and now working in Uganda, the bubbly 26-year-old had a chat with Quick Talk about his career and passions.
Who is Sean Preezy?
Sean Preezy is a radio presenter, events MC, singer and songwriter. I am also a podcaster, a voice for the youth and a child of God. My real name is Sean Murigu Prewitt. I was born on July 21, 1998 [shows Quick Talk a tattoo of his birth year in Roman numerals on his arm.]
What’s the story behind your catch phrase, “The Host Always Doing The Most’’?
I came up with that phrase after thinking about everything that I do and feeling like I do the most in my own life especially when it comes to hosting. If you see me on stage, I have the most energy and I just love giving good vibes.
Tell Quick Talk about your journey in media…
I started out in 2016. I was a musician under a group called We Are SDP with two Spanish friends who were residing in Kenya. The fact that we were speaking English, Spanish and Swahili made our music unique. After two years, NRG Radio launched in Kenya; I put in my application and was shortlisted but didn’t make it.
However, I was still called back and given a weekend show after which I was promoted to host a weekday show. As I was hosting the breakfast show, I was moved to Uganda. I came to Uganda with a fresh mind for a fresh start and started putting my foot in the entertainment industry here as well.
Did the decision to move to Uganda come easily?
No! But it came at a point where I wanted a new challenge. I had been at NRG Radio for four years already and so, when my boss called to tell me that NRG Radio was opening up in Uganda and they would like to send me here, it came right in time.
Had you been here before?
Never. By the way, I don’t know why, but most Kenyans don’t know much about Uganda and I am so glad that I came, because I am now the pioneer of letting Kenyans know that Uganda is lit. Uganda is very nice. The culture is similar to that of Kenya but I think Ugandans are a lot more friendly.
I also like Ugandans because they like to eat! You find someone with matooke, groundnuts, rice, spaghetti, posho, chapati all on one plate. Kenyans don’t usually have soup in their food but Uganda has taught me to always put soup in my food.
I also enjoy Uganda because the entertainment industry is so raw and there is so much being developed right now.
What haven’t you found pleasing about Uganda?
In the beginning it was the heat. Oh Lord have mercy! I suffered in this place. My skin was very sensitive to the heat and at night I couldn’t even sleep. You know Nairobi is very cold; so, I really struggled here.
There is nothing I really dislike about Uganda; oh wait! Potholes. I hate the potholes and the traffic, but the best thing here about transport are the boda bodas.
In your view, how is Kampala different from Nairobi?
Nairobi is more developed in terms of infrastructure and there is a lot more to do in terms of recreation. What Kampala has that Nairobi doesn’t have is more greenery and the hills. I just love the fact that you just look outside and see another hill.
Do you miss home sometimes?
In the beginning yes but now no. Reason being I was born in Atlanta USA, stayed there for 14 years, moved to Kenya, stayed there for 11 years and now I have been here for almost two years. In my life, I want to experience as much as I can and I feel like if you get too comfortable, you miss out on a lot. [He is born to an American father and a Kenyan mother.]
How was it like growing up in Atlanta?
Growing up in the USA was good because it gave me my accent [his American accent is evident], it gave me my passport and other papers and being a USA citizen is honestly good because there are lots of benefits that come with it.
But also growing up there was not favourable for me because Africa is home. Comparing living in Africa and living in the USA, I would rather live in Africa because the food is better, sceneries are more beautiful and people are a lot friendlier.
You talked about being a podcaster…
Yes, I have a podcast coming up called The Gentlemen’s Room. It is going to be a space for men to talk and help build better men for tomorrow. Men suffer from so much but don’t talk about it and the biggest thing I discovered is that talking and allowing yourself to let it out helps a lot.
That is why I decided to create a platform where men can voice their issues, opinions and concerns so we can move on in a way that God has shaped us to be as men. It hasn’t been easy in my life either, but I feel like I am in a confident place right now where I can help someone else.
The first episodes will come out before this year ends and I will be hosting big personalities, both locally and internationally.
Have you at some point struggled with your mental health?
In 2018, I took a gap year from school and was almost landing myself into depression. I had no ambition and I did not know what I was going to do with my life. I would just wake up, go to studio sometimes, eat, play video games and sleep.
How did you deal with it?
I prayed. I believe in God and I cannot do anything in my life without putting God first. During that time, I prayed to God to send me something to do and that is when I joined NRG Radio. When it comes to my mental health, I am able to check myself through the stories that are in the Bible because people went through difficult times in that book but still came out on top; so, when you apply those same principles that they applied in your own life, you will see wonders.
I also have people that I speak to; a spiritual mentor, two close friends, someone who is older than me and someone I can mentor – because you learn 90 percent of what you teach.
What is currently on your playlist?
From Kenya, I have Nakam Sai by Lil Maina, Niskize and Last Air Bender by Buruklyn Boyz. From Uganda, it’s Nayomi by Joshua Baraka, all Spice Diana songs; Big Tril and Joshua Baraka also have a song coming out soon and I love it already. Internationally, I listen to a lot of gospel music.
What do you think about Ugandan music?
I enjoy it. The only problem is Ugandan artistes give the consumers too much of what they want. I feel legends like Jose Chameleone can’t sell out arenas like other artistes on the continent are doing because they are keeping it too local. The reason Joshua Baraka is making it big is that he is making international versatile music while still adding in that Ugandan flavour.
Have you done some music while here?
I have a song which is going to come out soon and I have an EP I am working on. I started out as a rapper because of the influence I got while in Atlanta. But currently, I am doing a lot of Afro beat.
Are you dating?
No, I am not in a relationship. I say this because I am in a place where I do love the company of this person and I see a future with her but now is not the time.
Who is your ideal lady?
I am an outgoing guy; so, I definitely have to have someone who is a little bit laidback, so that in case I am being too much she can pull me back, and I want someone who I can have deep conversations with. When it comes to looks, I told my family that I am finding a woman in Uganda and getting married here.
You seem to be a happy person; what could possibly piss you off?
Stepping on my shoes; it makes me extremely angry. If I am outside and somebody makes me dirty in any way, I just go home because I like being clean. Touching my food without asking also pisses me off. Another thing which makes me pissed is domestic violence on women.
jjingoernest1@gmail.com
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