Andy: Electric percussion guru turns passion into money-making venture

When I first met Andrew Gichinga, popularly known as Andy Percussionist, he was playing at the Naxouse third anniversary event. On stage, Andy was performing alongside DJs, seamlessly blending live percussion with house music.

At first, I assumed he was simply part of the DJ’s act, until the DJ’s set ended and Andy kept performing, captivating the audience with his energy and rhythm.

With every beat of his bongo drums and clash of his cymbals, it was clear that Andy wasn’t just playing music, he was living it. His performance filled a unique gap in the soundscape, adding a vibrant human touch to electronic music. 

Even more fascinating was how he drew the crowd into his performance, encouraging them to interact and feel part of his rhythm.

“I used to be a drummer first, before becoming a percussionist. I started drumming when I was about six years old, growing up in church. Eventually, I joined different bands, but I realized that the income from band performances was quite small since it had to be shared among many members. That’s when I decided to focus on percussion and find my niche,” Andy says.

Andy’s journey began in Nakuru, where he first performed at Naxouse. From there, his skill caught the attention of promoters in Eldoret and Nairobi, leading to a growing list of gigs.

Three years down the line, he can say it has started to pay.

“I spent six years playing in bands before striking out on my own. The biggest challenge now is that not all event organizers understand percussion. Some don’t recognize it as a full performance package, so at times you end up performing for exposure instead of proper pay,” Andy laments.

Despite the obstacles, Andy persisted. He bought his first set of drums and a secondhand bongo kit, for Sh 15,000 in Nairobi.

“With time, I hope to invest in better instruments, which can cost close to Sh 150,000 to assemble a full professional percussion setup,” Andy explains.

Andy’s first solo gig paid him Sh 4,000 for a six-hour set. Compared to the small band payments he used to split among seven members, it felt like a breakthrough. 

“I knew this was it. I decided to invest back into my percussion and take it seriously,” he says.

Since then, he has performed alongside top DJs in the house music scene, with some of his biggest shows including Naxouse in Nakuru, Domino Revolution in Eldoret, and Sahara in Nairobi.

He notes that his highest single-show payment so far has been Sh 40,000 for a three-hour set.

Interestingly, Andy says he earns more in Eldoret than in his hometown.

“Eldoret has really embraced me. I feel like a celebrity there,” he laughs. “But I’ll always credit Nakuru because that’s where I started.”

For Andy, percussion is not just art, it’s business. “Artists need to brand themselves. Understand entertainment law, have an electronic press kit (EPK), and use social media wisely,” he emphasizes.

He admits that monetizing a niche art like percussion can be difficult, especially in a market that’s still discovering its value. However, he believes discipline and setting clear rate cards are key. 

“You can stay without a gig, but once your rates are known and respected, it pays off. Don’t settle for less, build a strong foundation,” he says.

Today, Andy balances performing with teaching music. As a music teacher, he continues to inspire others while practising daily with his students. Before every show, he prays and ensures he’s in a joyful mood. 

“I believe in God and always make sure I’m happy before stepping on stage. That energy translates to the crowd,” he shares.

His ultimate dream is to perform at Gondwana, one of Kenya’s biggest Afro House events. “Afro House is the future,” Andy says. “It’s African, it’s vibrant, and it’s growing fast. That’s where my heart is.”

To young people aspiring to follow a similar path, Andy offers simple advice: “Just start. You can even use buckets if you have to. Be musical first, and the rest will follow.”