What next for Kenya's Silayio after The Voice of Holland?

Silayio’s stage presence, powerful vocals and moving renditions made her a force to reckon with. Far from home and competing on an international platform, she held her own and made many Kenyans proud.

TVOH is a reality TV competition created by Dutch media tycoon John de Mol and has been running since 2010. Like its other derivatives around the world, the early stages of the show begin with blind auditions where competitors sing while the judges face the audience and only turn around to look at them if they like what they hear. This is when Silayio quite literally made heads turn as she made her intentions clear: she was going for the big prize.

Music In Africa spoke to the Kora Award-winning singer about her experience on the big stage and what she’s planning to do with her newfound fame after reaching the quarterfinals of the competition.

Music In Africa: When did you first know you were born to sing and what has kept you going all these years?

SILAYIO: I first fell in love with music in high school. It took a while but in the end I learnt that music moved me more than anything else I did. It was home, solace and fun, that’s why I’ve kept at it. Music feeds my soul, every song I sing, I am the first to enjoy, and my audiences are secondary beneficiaries of me interacting in earnest with my own soul.

What was your biggest break and how did it build you?

I feel like I’m still waiting for my big break but I would say that winning a Kora and being on the Voice of Holland have certainly given my career a much-needed boost along the way.

How did you get on TVOH and how was your journey to the end?

I’ve been spending a few months every year since 2010 in Holland, touring and playing different gigs. I even made my last album here – under my former brand that is – and while I was here a little over a year ago, I was scouted and asked to audition. It’s been a wonderful experience – very intense and the quality of talent and production was inspiring. The Dutch are a very hardworking, industrious and precise people. I enjoyed it and was challenged by the pace of the production. To be honest I was not disappointed when I left. I got further than any other foreigner ever did on the show [top nine] and further than I had anticipated I would.

How did the Dutch receive you?

They’ve been very warm and receptive, which is why I have kept coming back since 2010.

What was your most memorable performance on the show?

The knockouts when I sang ‘Runnin’’ by Beyoncé.

How did you deal with the pressure of performing on that level?

By consistently reminding myself that I am living my dream and that it’s is amazing. So gratitude, meditation and lots of fruit.

Do you feel East African acts are doing enough to get international appeal?

That is a question I am not qualified to answer. I don’t know what ‘doing enough’ means. I think we’re all just doing our best and if that gets international acclaim then hoorah. We are all just working and putting ourselves and our art, which is our hearts, out there and for that I have deep respect for all my colleagues in this industry.

If you could collaborate with any East African artist who would it be?

The first artists on my collabo wish list are our own hot boys Sauti Sol. Hi guys!

What's next for you after TVOH?

Write good music, record good music, gig, tour, repeat.