Somebody tag Nyashinski: Daddy Owen speaks out about secular artists writing gospel songs

Piece by: Rosemary Kariithi
Entertainment

Daddy Owen is a Kenyan gospel singer who's music has received massive airplay over the years.

In a recent interview, he shared his take on whether it's right for secular artistes to write gospel songs.

"I don't a have problem with secular musicians writing gospel music because we need those people in church who are not born again. It means we are influencing them. Just as an ambassador, if invited to Japan to talk about Kenya and I meet a Japanese wearing a Maasai kikoi, I'll be happy because I will know I have influenced him.

So them doing that I'm happy because God says be fruitful. It's us Christians to influence them to come to us not us going to their world."

Owen also added that he doesn't see the sense of launching his music in clubs when asked if he would.

"I cannot launch my song in a club because to be honest I don't understand that logic because even social media is bigger than that club. I don't think I have ever seen a song trending because it was launched in a club and there is no single reason why I should do it. I'm not criticizing anyone, but I don't understand that".

The Tazama singer concluded by saying that one can only mentor someone who is willing to be mentored.

"As elders for the young people it is upon a mentee to look for a mentor and not vise versa. Mentorship is difficult and it only works when they come looking for the mentorship because they show they are wiling. So it is not easy for me to criticize someone because they're doing something that we feel is not right. Maybe from the word go, it was their plan and I wouldn't want to change that."