Popular artiste and gospel musician Daddy Owen has revealed that it took him seven years before he could make his first earnings from his music career.
Speaking on a podcast aired on Sunday, July 6, he reflected on the challenges he faced at the beginning of his journey. Before earning from music, he sustained himself by selling second-hand clothes in Nairobi. During that time, he and other musicians were driven purely by passion, focusing on performing without any financial expectations.
“Let me tell the truth: it took me like 7 years before Nipate Pesa ya kwanza kwa muziki nakuambia mimi nilikaa sana. I wasn’t making any money; nilikuwa nauza nguo mtindwa, nafanya tu biashara Zangu,” Owen says.
He shared that he performed in many shows without pay, and most musicians of that era had little to no expectations when it came to being compensated. As a result, there was minimal disappointment since there were no promises or assumptions of payment.
“Because for us, before you think of making money, passion Ishakupeleka overdrive; before you think of making money, nilikuwa nafanya show mingi,” he added.
Owen also took a swipe at the current generation of musicians who, unlike his peers, entered the industry expecting financial returns. He noted that while he understands their frustrations when they say music doesn’t pay, it is largely because they came in with high expectations.
“In the first place, haukuwa unaweza kuwa disappointed coz haikuwa expected; it’s only a disappointment when it is expected,” he added.
He further explained that gospel musicians in his time were offered platforms and audiences by churches, not money. He contrasted that with the present day, where churches now pay gospel artists for performances, highlighting how much the industry has changed over time.
Who is Daddy Owen?
Daddy Owen, born Owen Mwatia on January 1, 1982, is a Kenyan contemporary Christian music artist and songwriter from Kakamega, known for his unique blend of gospel, Kapuka, and Lingala music. He rose to fame with hits like “System ya Kapungala”, “Mbona,” “Tobina,” and “Saluti,” releasing his first album, Haijalishi, in 2004.
He has released four albums: Saluti, System ya Kapungala, Son of Man, and Haijaisha. Owen won the Groove Awards Male Artist of the Year from 2009 to 2011, with Saluti earning three nominations and winning in all categories.
He also won the 2012 Kisima Awards Artist of the Year and received an MTV Africa Music Award for Best Anglophone Artist.
