US-born rapper Barak Jacuzzi reveals how being sent to Kenya as punishment turned him into a star

He is known for his high-energy performances and “crazy” vibes, but Kenyan-American rapper Barak Jacuzzi has revealed that his path to stardom began with a suitcase and a one-way ticket intended as a punishment.

Speaking in a candid interview on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Tergat Gang hitmaker explained that his highly-educated parents—a clinical psychologist and a doctor in education—frequently sent him from the U.S. back to Kenya during his school years to keep him in line.

While many children might dread being sent away, Barak says the experience of alternating between the two continents during Class 6, Class 8, and Form 3 was the “making of him.”

“At first, I thought it was harsh,” the rapper admitted. “But over time, I realized I was having a great time. It ended up shaping who I am today: resilient, unapologetic, and full of energy.”

The rapper also paid a touching tribute to his late brother, Nagi Jacuzzi, who passed away in 2023.

Barak credited Nagi as the one who first noticed his lyrical talent and pushed him to pick up the microphone. Today, with a catalogue featuring Sauti Sol’s Bien and Khaligraph Jones, it seems those “punishment trips” paid off in a big way.

Since moving back to Kenya permanently in 2016, Barak has become a staple of the Nairobi “New Wave” scene. He attributes his drive to a philosophy of living with “no constraints.”

“When I’m having fun, I don’t like to put constraints on the things I say or do,” he explained. “If I’m going to do something, I want to do it at 100% with no regrets.”