Anto Neosoul: Tyler Perry’s Madea character is my dream Valentine’s Day date
Former Nation FM presenter and renowned singer, Anthony Mwangi, popularly known as Anto Neosoul, spoke to Nairobi News about his thoughts on Valentine’s Day, the ups and downs he experienced with love, the best gifts he’s given and who his dream date would be.
NN: What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for someone on Valentine’s Day?
Anto Neosoul: I was in University…I think when in Uni, we do the least thinking it’s the most. Mimi nilipeleka msichana wa wenyewe Sno Cream alafu nikalipa fare going home (I took someone’s girl to Sno Cream and then paid fare for her to go home).
NN: What’s the best Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever received?
Anto Neosoul: It was actually a pay it forward gift that I received from Bobby Kamani and Zeenia Kamani to surprise my parents. It was for them to spend 4 nights at Diani Reef hotel. It was so magical watching my parents, and especially my mum who’d never been to the coast, enjoying Diani last year. Best thing ever.
NN: If you could spend Valentine’s Day with any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Anto Neosoul: It would have to be Madea (a female character portrayed by American actor Tyler Perry). I know we would have a ball laughing at love, fools in love and also how magical love is. Imagine Anto Neosoul and Madea talking about Character Development in Kenya…
NN: What’s your favorite love song to listen to on Valentine’s Day that you have released?
Anto Neosoul: This has to be Addicted from my debut album STARBORN. I wrote it with the Uni girl I used to date in mind; she was truly the love of my life.
NN: What advice would you give to someone who’s single on Valentine’s Day?
Anto Neosoul: Celebrate yourself; but also don’t be swallowed by the pressure to be seen that you are noticed or you’re loved by taking loans or spending your hard earned money to spoil yourself pretending it’s from other people. Please, dress up; take yourself for brunch, lunch or dinner; reflect on how far you’ve come, tap yourself on your shoulder and move. Don’t do anything to fit in, you think people care but by tomorrow we’ve all moved on and you’re left with debts after doing the most to please us.
NN: Have you ever had a Valentine’s Day disaster? If so, what happened?
Anto Neosoul: Honestly not, mimi ni msanii nikipenda hakuna kuflop (I am an artist and if I like something, it will not flop) but back then in Uni, everything was a flop looking back, like putting flowers in your bag coz there’s no way I was going to walk with them and then after class maua “zimehoha.”
NN: What’s your idea of the perfect Valentine’s Day date?
Anto Neosoul: I believe Valentine’s should be silent yet loud. Silent in that you pick a way to celebrate the love of your life with a gift, a walk in the park, a movie, some PDA, wine, chocolate, flowers, a heartfelt card but Loud in the sense that it should mean the most and should portray your heart’s desires to your loved one. It’s not about show for the masses but for your loved one; if all of this is for show, then you’ve lost already.
NN: What’s the most unconventional Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever given or received?
Anto Neosoul: I received a gift box from a secret admirer that looked like the usual media public relations boxes. On the top it was written Fairtrade; I didn’t open it until after my show! When I did, it had molasses, Dr Bronner’s soap, coffee, tea, maltesers, honey and they all had a little mark… only for me to Google what that was and also find a note written every product bought ensured the farmers who made the products got a fair minimum wage! That’s the most meaningful gift I’ve ever received and guess what, there was no sender just a note saying, “you deserve the best, you deserve to keep smiling so others can smile.” Wueeh!