He is a young South Sudanese man who wears many hats.

Hassen Kumen manages a musical crew of 5-man South Sudanese rappers and has been with them trying to get them to the very top.

Kumen, who is also an ICT tutor at Skyhigh Tech computer Center in Juba has a passion for promoting the talents of his fellow youth kind and emotionally. The group recently released a song in commemoration of the late South Sudanese singers Mantani and Trisha C.  

The City Review reporter Boka Jr caught with the young music manager Mr Kumen to find out what inspired him to lead the crew. This is what he revealed during an interview.

Boka Jr: It’s nice having you with us. Kindly tell us about yourself.

Kumen: My name is Kumen, a computer trainer and manager. I am a person of hard work.  I before worked at the garage for 2 years then I worked also at a hotel but currently I am just at home. Sometimes I teach students computers.

My hobbies are playing football, listening to world news especially on BBC and reading about charismatic leaders.

Boka Jr: You also manage young talents. Tell us about how your experience especially with the crew under your care.

Kumen: The crew that I’m managing currently is all about music. You know it was this year that I started to manage them because I realised that these guys one day will bring triumphs to our country through their music because they have a talent in music and that is why I brought them together to make their talent visible.

Boka Jr: In what ways do you manage them?

Kumen: I am supporting them financially, like when there is new audio that needs to be recorded then we make some contributions with them but usually 80 per cent of the contributions come from me.

Boka Jr: How did you meet them?

Kumen: I met them as an individual then I brought them as one group then I named them the Crew. 

Boka Jr: Why the name Bizzy Crew?

Kumen: The name of the crew which is Bizzy came from the word “busy” because most of them are always busy. In simple words, it means they are hard-working so they don’t have time to rest that is why I named them Bizzy Crew.

Boka Jr: What was the first song and what does it talking about?

Kumen: The first song is about a tribute to our late beloved musicians, Trisha C and Mantani.

Boka Jr. Could you elaborate more on the songs? 

Kumen: The title of the song is “Tribute” and they recorded it on the 27th of August 2021. You know what made them record the song is just because of the sorrow of our people around the country, that is why they came as one blood and started to organise the chorus and verses for the song. By the way, the song is very sorrowful when you listen to it.

Boka Jr: Have you organised any show for the crew to perform, and if yes how was it?

Kumen: Still not yet but there was a gathering festival for which the crew were invited to perform and they made the festival very enjoyable.

Boka Jr: What inspired or motivated you to become a manager for musicians?

Kumen: Just because of their talents that’s why I try to manage them.

Boka Jr: What are the challenges you are facing as a young manager for South Sudanese artists?

Kumen: I’m just facing challenges like how to concerns for my crew, that is one of the biggest challenges I’m facing as a young manager. Secondly, video shooting is expensive.

Boka Jr: What are your plans for the group?

Kumen: I want them to achieve their goals and I want also to support them to keep elevating to the top. That is my dream for them.

Boka Jr: What’s your message to artists and managers outside there?

Kumen: My message goes to the music industry of South Sudan, especially the musicians.  They should not consider only foreign artists but also give time to their musicians especially the local ones. I mean the upcoming ones because they got music talent but there’s no sponsorship from the industry.