Kimathi Olenja is a Kenyan American artist, actor, and writer with a brilliant, unorthodox approach to his blend of music. He spent his early years moving up and down on the east coast, from congested streets of Boston, Massachusetts, to the coastal breezeways of Beaufort, South Carolina, before eventually arriving in the southern hip-hop mecca of Atlanta, Georgia.
Right from his first run-in with music, Kimathi had shown himself to be an avid student of the art, constantly weaving new ideas from his environment into his brand of music. Finally, however, Atlanta became the perfect musical haven for the gifted artist to thrive and display his true potential. This maestro has been quietly establishing himself on the scene with a unique style that he embodies in a blend of seeming paradoxes.
Although he has a Business degree from Clark Atlanta University, Kimathi regards himself as more of an “educated street scholar,” drawing the knowledge used in his music from the visceral aspect of his experiences hustling in the streets as well as from the intellectual part, interacting with activists and other thought leaders along the way. He remarked, “In order to make it in this world, we need both sides of the coin: Street smarts, book smarts, and everything in between.”
In combining the richness of his experiences in his music, Kimathi sets himself apart from the regular one or two-dimensional character, displaying a brilliance that is sure to impress both fans and students of the industry alike. The single, “Jazz Song,” which is the artist’s ode to the confidence and power of women, showcases just what he brings to the arena.
For as long as he could remember, Kimathi Olenja states that he has been driven by the desire to create something truly different and not just to acquire the fame and money that comes with a life in entertainment. This passion led him to establish his own brand—Cold Turkey Management.
Since its inception, Cold Turkey Management has helped create a roadmap to success for aspiring artists new to the game. As an entertainment company, it focuses on managing various artists, productions, and activities across all stages in the entertainment industry, handling everything from marketing campaigns to strategy and all peripheral requirements leaving the artist to focus solely on what they do best—music.
Away from the music scene, Kimathi also wears a production manager’s hat and landed a role as an actor in the movie Super Turnt. However, despite his successes, at the core of all Kimathi’s efforts is the desire to inspire upcoming artists to pursue their dreams despite their challenges.
“When you follow your dreams, there will be all kinds of things thrown at you that will test your dedication. I look at it as earning your success.”
In the coming years, he hopes to build his company into one of the foremost entertainment brands, working with artists across the globe.
To learn more about Kimathi Olenja and his current projects, visit Instagram or the company website.
