Collo, also known as Collins Majale, a celebrated rapper and one-third of the renowned trio Kleptomaniax, recently shared his journey from financial ruin and personal struggles to a remarkable comeback.
In an interview, Collo disclosed that during his time as a copywriter at a leading advertising agency, he earned approximately Ksh 250,000 per month. Additionally, he regularly pitched jingles to clients, about ten every month, which brought him an extra Ksh 700,000.
Despite the substantial income, Collo admitted that he struggled with alcoholism and felt lost. His financial situation worsened as he accrued significant debt.
“I was making Ksh 250,000 monthly as a copywriter and believed presenting jingle ideas to clients was harmless. I wrote at least ten jingles each month, earning an extra Ksh 700,000. Although money was not an issue, my lack of spiritual grounding meant I squandered it and accumulated more debt,” he explained.
Collo’s fortunes took a turn for the worse when he lost his job due to a conflict with a supervisor while working on a major marketing campaign. The fallout from this incident left him jobless and in debt.
At the height of his troubles, Collo was indebted to a bank for approximately Ksh 3.5 million. This financial strain led to severe consequences, including his daughter being out of school for three months and his home’s electricity being cut off for four months due to unpaid bills.
Faced with mounting difficulties, Collo considered relocating to the United States to live with his mother. Eventually, auctioneers seized his assets, including a car and property titles, as he struggled to meet his financial obligations.
In a pivotal moment, Collo’s wife’s prayers and invitation to church led to his spiritual transformation. He realized many of his former associates were untrustworthy, noting that his extensive contact list of over 5,000 people did not equate to genuine connections.
“My phone book had thousands of contacts I thought were meaningful, but I learned the true value of friendship and faith. My focus shifted to my relationship with Jesus,” he said.
During a low period in his career, Collo prayed for just one successful song. His collaboration with dance choreographer Bruz Newton on “Bazo Kizo” proved to be a turning point, becoming a hit in 2016. Despite initial delays due to financial constraints, the song’s success also led to an endorsement deal with a major phone manufacturer in Kenya.
Since then, Collo has continued to release new singles and explore various artistic ventures, marking a significant turnaround from his earlier challenges.
