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Don’t forget me yet-Daddy Owen speaks out!!

My Man
 Daddy Owen

Owen Mwatia, also known as Daddy Owen has increasingly been out of the limelight. Is it because of his new status as husband and father? He speaks to us about what he's been up to

You have been a little quiet in 2017, what have you been up to?

So much, now I am a husband and a father to a son. I sit on the Board of Directors at Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK). Further, I am a restaupreneur and I also own a football club called Phoenix FC. Plus, I am a disability activist under my Malaika Tribute Awards programme. Also I worked with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on a campaign targeting the youth on taxes that ended in June this year. Lastly, plans are currently underway on a project with Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). When it comes to music I am working on that and will be releasing something soon, watch this space!

How would you say your music style has grown over the years?

I believe my style has evolved like fine wine. As my fans have grown, so have I musically. Early in my career I was doing ragga, then it evolved into kapungala, and now I do more slow good-listen kind of music.

You have been in the music industry for over ten years now, and while other from your era have fallen by the wayside you have maintained your fan base, what is your secret?

God. From day one I knew what I wanted to do and that was to serve God. So no matter what happens, I stick to my vision. If you do what I do for other reasons, of course it will be difficult to remain consistent. The Bible says godliness plus contentment is great gain; I am content with what I am doing. With or without money or fame, I will still do it.

The Kenyan Gospel industry is currently riddled with rumours of cartels running the show. Word on the ground is that the cartels control which songs get most airplay or who wins awards, what is your take on that?

I can neither deny nor confirm, but I can assure you if you serve a true God, no one can stop your ministry or your music, and further, if you serve the true God then awards mean nothing.

Also today's local Gospel music sounds more secular than Gospel, what is your take on that?

That is true. It is a sad state of affairs but there are still some artists who do real Gospel music and God will always raise His servants no matter the environment.

What do you love most about being married?

The accountability that comes with being married; you know that there is always someone who has your back and even when you go to work, you know you are doing this to make your family proud and happy.

What was it about her that made your wife the one for you?

My wife is called Farida, and what first drew me to her was the fact that she is  not only very love but is also very responsible. She supports me and more so she's very beautiful; she is a gift from God.

Any advice for newly married couples?

Maintain the friendship, it starts from there. Secondly, be proud of her/him and pray together. Thirdly, remember that men value respect, while women value love. Lastly, always make time for each other and continue to date each other. My wife and I still do movies every Friday, we still go out for dinner. We still go to Naivasha once or twice a month; such things never change and even now we do more like we must go on holiday out of the country even if it's once a year.

Any news about a junior on the way?

(Laughs) God willing soon.

Apart from music you are also good in art, how do you nurture and use that gift?

I still paint, and I am still collecting my pieces, and when I am ready I plan to exhibit my work.

Also, being in the public eye requires that you look a certain way, how do you maintain your trim figure?

I love football; I train by playing football twice or thrice a week depending with how busy I am.

What do you prefer, an independent and modern wife or do you prefer the traditional wife, and why?

My wife is mixture of all the above. Although she is independent and has her own job, she still takes care of me and our home. We agree on how we should run our family and considering my background I am very traditional. Although I buy her gifts, she also buys me gifts. When it comes to running our home, we help each other out. So I guess you could say she is a mixture of a modern and independent, plus a traditional woman.

What would you say is your most annoying quality?

I can be blunt; I tell it like it is, I keep it real. Some people find it endearing and others not so much. The Bible says let your yes be yes, and your no be no!

When it comes to "me time", what is your favourite thing to do?

To paint or watch football, I find both activities very therapeutic and relaxing.

Can you think of one thing that a lot of people don't know about you?

I don't know how to swim.

Looking back at your career choices, how would you gauge your accomplishments?

I am currently in a good place in my life. I always knew growing up that if I was not a musician, I would be a painter, and if I was not a painter I would be a chef, and if not, then I would be a footballer, and now looking back on my life I can say I am not only a musician, I paint, I own a football club, and a restaurant. My life is full and overflowing because I get to do all the things that I love.

 

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