Destined For Music

Rapper, singer and songwriter Petra Yolanda Sonia Bockle tells TRACY ACHIENG’ how she got started, who she has collaborated with, and her dreams for the future.

I was born on 14 May 1995 to a Kenyan mother and Seychellois father. I grew up on the Kenyan Coast before moving to Nairobi to pursue a career in music. My dad was very musical; he would play the banjo and would make me and my sister sing at our restaurant for our visitors, and he would record us.

I started songwriting as a child. I had a big book where I’d write songs and perform them to my half-brother, sister and their friends. They used to critique my music and say that I’m not doing it well enough or perform as they could. So everyone who knew me growing up is surprised that I took the musical path rather than my sister who was more outgoing and skilled at it.