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While performing his 2012 award-winning single Mbona, which featured Denno, Daddy Owen and the visual-challenged singer led the crowd in chorus. In unison, they sang like it was a national anthem.
There at the Carnivore grounds, where Daddy Owen had invited the who’s-who in the entertainment industry to celebrate his 10 years in gospel, barriers were broken as known showbiz antagonists put their differences aside and shared the stage; secular artistes, actors, dance groups, DJs, comedians and models all joining the gospel stars in a display of unity. It was a show rarely experienced in the entertainment industry.
Among the tens of celebrities were Nameless, Wahu, Jaguar, Big Ted, Churchill, Jalang’o, McDonald Mariga, Eric Omondi, Janet Mbugua, DNA, Gabu of P-Unit, Yvonne Darq, Kristoff, Vivian, Talia Oyando and H_Art the Band members.
Gospel big shots among them Kevin Mulei, SK Blue, Gloria Muliro, Rufftone, Kambua, Size 8, Jimmy Gait, Victor Mbuvi, Robert Kimanzi, Danco, DJ Sadiq, DJ Mo, Papa Dennis and Allan Aaron drove in in style to celebrate the success of their colleague.
It was a serenade of his popular hits, from the old ones such as Kupe De Kalle, Kiriro, Kazi ya Msalaba, Saluti and System ya Kapungala, to his latest among them Foundation (featuring Papa Dennis), Defender and Vanity, the title song for his new album. Daddy Owen thrilled the crowd for hours amidst interludes that provided opportunities for testimonies and more entertainment.
Rib crackers Eric Omondi and David the Student sent the masses into animated laughter as they joked about the days of the old when gospel music was all about choirs.
“As an industry, we have really come from far and this celebration reflects just that,” Big Ted, who was the MC of the day, said.
“This unity that brings both gospel and secular artistes together is a new awakening in the entertainment industry. It is a move towards the right direction,” Kevin Mulei told Pulse.
“As an industry, we should start supporting each other regardless of whether we are gospel or secular artistes. Our DJs and radio and TV stations should also play more Kenyan songs,” Nameless said when he took the stage complete with a ‘Praise the Lord’ introduction.
Rufftone, who was accompanied by his expectant wife Krystal, called upon artistes to show true love, calling an end to the differences among many artistes that have divided the gospel world into many cartels.
“Today, we need to ask God for forgiveness for all the bad things we have been involving ourselves in. The so-called beef should end as God wants to use us to shine his light to the world,” Rufftone pleaded.
During the ceremony Owen introduced his girlfriend Farida referring to her as a special friend. The two are planning to tie the knot, we reliably learnt.
It is in this setting that Owen Mwatia, for that is his real name, reminisced how he launched his gospel career 10 years ago after his brother preached to him and convinced him to get saved.
He is one of the greatest gospel singers in the region having won the Best Anglophone ward during the MTV Africa Music Awards (Mama) for the song Tobina in 2010. His other albums include Saluti, System ya Kapungala, Son of Man and Haijalishi.
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