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By THOMAS RAJULA
»by this author
Janet Otieno describes herself as a wife and a mother. She grew up in Kisumu County and became a force to be reckoned with, despite her late entry into the arena of gospel music. THOMAS RAJULA asks questions about his incredible race
Was gospel music still your vocation?
I loved music since a young age. I was just doing music in school then, in adolescence, and I joined the church choir.
Who would you say inspired your love for music?
I had different tastes, so the inspirations were different. Even now, I still have a number of different artists who inspire me in different ways. I have no one in particular to identify and say: "They made me love music".
What is the first serious choir you have joined?
Redeemed Gospel Church in Embakasi, which I joined in 1991. I was one of the main solos. I have been a member of the church for so many years, and it is there that I even met my husband. We got married in 1996.
How did you end up in Nairobi?
I came to the university and I lived with my uncle.
Why did it take so long to become a solo artist?
After ming I became a mother. I have a girl at the university, another in grade 11 and a son at Standard Six.
I had not thought about making music as a solo artist but in 2013, I had a vision of God calling me to do it. I would be taking a nap during the day and I would see myself singing in big meetings and people would be in a state of worship.
I went to a conference in South Africa and the pastor called me, pointed to me and said that God was calling me to the ministry. That's when I had the big push. My first song, " Napokea Kwako ", which starred Christina Shusho, is about to be called by God.
How did you put Christina Shusho on your song? We knew each other well before I started thinking about becoming a solo musician.
I had gone to Dar es Salaam to visit a friend, when I wanted to record a song there. I called Christina to ask her where I could do that. She was not in the country but suggested a place. I went there the next day and she called me saying that she had come back and that she wanted to see the process of my registration.
When she arrived and heard the song, she said that she felt like God wanted us to do the track together. So we sat down, wrote it together and recorded it
What did you think, have a name set to want to be on your first record, and work with it?
God has planned for this. The song was good and I am grateful. People already knew her and she was well received, plus she had more orientation towards the industry than me. It was a good start.
What inspires your song writing?
Each song is different and has different inspirations from the reason why I did it. The scriptures of the Bible and the daily events around me are the main inspirations.
Why interpret your songs in Swahili, you could be mistaken for a Tanzanian?
Many people who listen to my music are not Kenyans, so I decided to make my music in an understandable language
Will you do anything in English?
Yes, very soon. We also want to welcome international audiences who do not speak Swahili
How many albums do you have?
"Napokea Kwako" had nine songs. We will arrive at an album "the best of Janet Otieno" by the end of the year. I'm also working on the second album that will be released shortly after
What do you think of all the achievements you have made in five years?
This shows that God really chose me to help spread the gospel; he works in me and for me. It's a validation and encouragement to accept this call.
My recent song "Asante" is to thank God for giving me this life and this opportunity, proof that he loves me no less because I am not perfect or the best .
and a famous musician?
At first this was the case, but I realized that it was just a planning issue. When you leave them in everything you do, things become easier. It is also important to get their blessings when you have to travel or have long days, so you do not feel neglected.
What do you think of the people who prevent young gospel artists from talking about their music?
have a younger generation of male and female artists who might lack mentorship; they are still growing and need some guidance on how to do it. However, things are also changing and the songs of praise with which we are accustomed to connect become more and more artistic.
Doing reggae, raga or rap is not a bad thing, just cover the content of the songs. Have we told artists who are talented in these genres that they should not sing for God? Otherwise, we will lose them in the secular world.
The company is also to blame because it had to name where if you were not doing a club-banger type song, you would not get as much support for your music: airplay, nominations and victories, or concerts. So he became more on the showbiz rather than on the ministry.
Although I would say that it is not so serious that an evangelical artist collaborates with a layman, every human being must offer his praise to God, but it must be purely evangelical.
QUICK FIRE
Do you have a favorite song?
"Roho Wako". It gives me such a connection to God when I listen to it.
No matter what price is special?
All are preferred because it's an appreciation of my works.
So a reward is very important? [19659043] Not really, it feels good to get it.
The most memorable show?
In Eldoret, see campus students receive me and move to worship.
Your vision of the Kenyan industry of the Gospel? to have the best gospel artist in the world being Kenyan in the future.
Favorite shot?
I just love being handsome for any occasion.
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