Gospel music made us

They are well aware that secular music makes for better business and exposure but the trio is not doing it for either, writes BRENDA KAGENI

Mercy Masika Mugoro

In the beginning

I started singing in church at a very tender age. My parents travelled a lot on missions and my sister and I accompanied them. I have pictures of us singing when I was four.

With help from my mother, I recorded an album at 11, titled Nobody Like Jesus. Throughout primary and secondary school I sung. And every weekend we had invitations to sing in other places. In Form One, I released my second album titled Roses will bloom again, which I did with Reuben Kigame.

After Form Four, aged 18, I released Amukomete, with the realisation that you have to reach your own people. This album introduced me to the world. My latest album, Milele was launched last year (For which she won ‘Artist of the Year’ and ‘Female Artist of the Year’ Awards at the 2008 Groove Awards).

Last year in August, I got married to David Mugoro.

The murky waters

When I plunged into music, I resolved to put my challenges aside. I was convinced that bitterness would only stand in the way of achieving my goals. It was not easy though. Many people for instance, took me for granted. Some would refuse to honour their pledge to pay me after a day’s performance. But I learnt to disregard this since my motto was: So long as people are blessed, it is fine with me.

It is also sad that gospel music does not receive as much airplay as secular music. But this notwithstanding, I think gospel is doing well in terms of concerts and gatherings.

Future plans

I plan to do music fulltime. Music is what I do best and the industry in general has been growing since 2002. Gospel music differs from secular as we speak life and hope. For me it is not about the fame or money; I am happy when my music ministers to someone hurting or when it helps them experience God.

I believe that anything God gives me should be used to bless others. I have a project in Yatta, where poverty is a grave challenge. I work with women in this project that is called Aka Oi (Wise women). I am currently raising funds to help the women make something of their lives. On the side, I make and sell jewellery — it is my hobby.

To aspiring singers

Keep doing it and do it excellently. Perfect your art. Hang around people who can mentor you. Gospel music is about character. It is an overflow of who you are. The stronger your relationship with God, the better you are able to be a blessing and to reflect Christ. I made a decision that I will not let what I do affect who I am. I do not live under pressure. You can be a slave to being perfect.

Eunice Njeri
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In the beginning

I began singing in Praise and Worship teams in church. Currently, I sing at Harvest Centre in Kangemi, Nairobi where I have been for four years. This is where I produced my first album with the choir. I released my first solo album Bwana Yesu (of the Umeniweza hit) in 2007.

I feel gospel music is the richest music ever. Some people can write, others can pray; I can sing. I do it full time and my schedule is ever busy. There are always conferences and events to attend both during the week and on weekends.

My reward

Emmy Kosgei

Eunice Njeri

Gospel music is currently getting more airplay than a few years back. Artistes are also improving on their ideas and getting more professional.

Some of my high moments have been during big events like the national prayer meetings. Recently, I participated in the National Prayer Day at Nyayo Stadium and at the K-Crew’s, Totally Sold Out (TSO) concert. My best moment, however, is when worshiping God.

I have won several awards; first with a group I sang with called Highest Praise that scooped three awards at Talent mania. Last year, I won a Groove Award for the ‘Most promising Artist’.

The murky waters

The gospel realm is not easy. Gospel musicians are sidelined in Kenya. Secular stations for instance, accord Gospel music an average two hours in a week. There is lots of good music out there but nobody hears it because it is not receiving airplay.

Then there is the problem of piracy, which eats into the profits. You could be famous but have no money. Finally, we are more appreciated out there than in our churches.

I see the future thus…

I want to go international. I want to be a professional musician and that is why I want to go back to school.

I also want to nurture musicians who can make gospel music and God look good. I want to venture into new things and do music that minister to this generation.

Emmy Kosgei

In the beginning

I come from a Christian family and this shaped my upbringing. My dad is a pastor so I was exposed to gospel music at an early age. But I began singing in high school.

My friends and I would compose songs that we sang during rallies organised by the Christian Union. Later, I joined Utalii College, which is close to the Maximum Miracle Centre, where I fellowshipped. The church puts a lot of emphasis on music and this honed my skills. In 1999, two friends — Zippy and Joe — and I formed the Maximum Gospel Group that saw us produce three albums, in Kiswahili, Kalenjin and English. The group played a big role in exposing me as we sang before large crowds. It also helped me discover myself.

Going solo

Prior to recording my first album, I was a backup vocalist for Esther Wahome during her live performances. Esther kept pushing me to record in Kalenjin saying I should strive to be unique. In 2004, I heeded and produced my first album Katau Banda. Last year, it won a Groove Award and this gave me an identity and a lot of exposure as the market received it positively.

My second album Kwaswech is a prayer song that I wrote before the clashes. But as soon as we released the video, post-election violence hit our country and the media requested for English translations to go with the video. That was a plus for me. I did not expect that it would appeal to other communities as it was done in Kalenjin. Toror is another popular song in that album. Everywhere I go, people ask for it.

My latest album Taunet Nelel, talks about a new beginning.

I’ve been to places…

On one occasion I had been invited to perform during a prayer meeting in Eldoret where all the leaders from my community were present. The South African Ambassador who was in attendance was really moved and invited me to her country to perform the song. That was my first trip outside East Africa, and it steered me to another level due to the exposure it accorded me. Not long after, I got an invitation to the US. At the time, I was a marketing manager for a Catholic association and I had to resign because the travelling was affecting my work. I went into fulltime music, albeit with doubt about whether I would succeed. What kept me going, however, was the positive feedback I received.

Since then I have been visiting the US every summer for four years and I thank God for it.

On the side, I design outfits and that includes our costumes. After receiving numerous queries about the source of our outfits, we decided to open a boutique on Biashara Street.

The murky waters

Music has helped me change people’s lives. In a way, it gets into their spirit irrespective of the language. However, there are challenges I have had to deal with. At the onset for instance, I was unsure whether people ‘felt’ the song due to the language barrier. It is also a challenge translating words into Kalenjin and fitting them to the style of music. Finance is also a challenge especially since I love to deliver quality.

The biggest problem for all artistes, however, is piracy and it is worse for vernacular artistes. Eldoret and Nakuru are the worst hit towns. I have information that my latest album — released in January — is all over the streets in Eldoret and is selling at a meagre Sh40.

Plans

I am planning to do a Swahili and English album and at some point do a multicultural album. My main aim is to reach out with the gospel.

I encourage other musicians who can to do music in their mother tongue. We do not have to stick to Swahili and English in a bid not to look tribalistic. In fact I plan on holding concerts in Central Kenya this year.

I just started a school, Hope Academy, back home in Mosoriot where I target needy children. My desire is to see children succeed in academics and nurture their talent at the same time. I am living proof of what talent can do — I never went to music school.

Understanding gospel music

Gospel music is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music.

Like other forms of Christian music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context.

Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace.

However, a common theme of most Gospel music is praise, worship or thanks to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit.

From Wikipedia.org