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NAIROBI - Gospel artiste Daddy Owen (Owen Mwatia) has upped the bar of music videos in the country as he releases his new hit, Saluti featuring an all-ladies cast of Kambua, Esther Wahome, Emmy Kosgei, Masha Mapenzi, Jackie Kotira & Carol Nanjie. The video produced by Sakata media is said to have cost an estimated Kshs.600,000. The song was recorded by producer Robert 'R-Kay' Kamanzi. Daddy Owen is without question the biggest Kenyan artist (both secular and gospel) currently and has broken several records this year. He is the first gospel artist to be nominated for an MTV award in the world (even Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary have none). He is the only Kenyan artist to ever have the most wins in an award ceremony. He bagged six awards at the Groove Awards this year.
Daddy Owen's consistency and creativity is admirable. He invented the musical genre Kapungala together with producer Dr Eddie. The single System ya Kapungala infused with its lingala and kapuka beats grabbed the nation's attention and catapulted Owen to the national limelight. He then dropped Kiriro, a collabo with Kerah and Allan Aaron. The single was markedly different with reggae-themed beats and catchy hooks that became bigger than System ya Kapungala. Then there was Tobina and the national media outlets and clubs could not get it off their playlists. It even went international and featured on NPR, a U.S national radio station. He has now thrown his creativity into video with his latest release, Saluti.
The video doesn't have any superimposed backgrounds and all scenes were shot on location in their respective landmarks. Sakata Media informs us that the video took about 2 weeks to shoot. KenyanGospel.com was the first media outlet to release the new video through our Youtube page (world premiere!) and it is yet to be serviced to TV stations. We recently talked to Daddy Owen about making the video, his MTV MAMA Awards 2010 nomination and upcoming performance, his reported contract with Safaricom that he declined and also responds to rumours of his apparent beef with Allan Aaron.
KG: How did the whole concept of the song and video come about?
Daddy Owen: I had travelled to Katoloni in Machakos for prayers and that's when I got the harmony for the chorus. My Facebook fans also put me on the spot because I had not done a collabo with female artistes in my last album. That's when I approached R-Kay with the idea of having ladies sing in their mother-tongue on the song's verses.
KG: How did you come up with the six ladies out of so many others who are equally talented?
Daddy Owen: We had a hard time deciding who to approach for the various verses. I also wanted to incorporate both established and upcoming acts. Sample the artists that could have done the Kikuyu part. There's Esther Wahome, Eunice Njeri, Betty Bayo and host of others. Look at the Kamba verse, I found it hard deciding between Kambua and Mercy Masika since they are close friends. Look at Mombasa artists Marion Shako, Christine Ndela and Marsha Mapenzi. We decided to pick the ones we selected for this song and then request others in other songs that will feature in my upcoming album. What really matters at the end of the day is the message.
KG: What's the name of the upcoming new album?
Daddy Owen: I have not titled it yet. Saluti is the first single from the new album.
KG: I guess the question itching on everyones' mind is how much the video cost
Daddy Owen: The video cost me an estimated Kshs.600,000. We had a lot of expenses like travelling to all those popular Kenyan landmarks with a camera crew and artists. Then each artist had custom-made dresses with matching colour themes. Hiring the camera crane alone cost us 15 thousand a day. Post production also cost a good penny.
KG: Was it worth spending all that money on a music video?
Daddy Owen: As Christians, we are seeking excellence in what we do. I could have easily done a cheap video and invest the money in a car or something but I am sure I invested in a good thing. The car will come in its own time. My System ya Kapungala music video was rejected by MTV Base for "poor production". We are also showing the world an example of good production in the Christian field.
KG: Tell us more about the video?
Daddy Owen: The video has brought us as artistes a lot closer as a family. The video represents unity even as we have our diverse cultures in the country. It also highlights the scenic beauty of the country as we feature some of the popular landmarks from different corners of the country. More importantly, it relays the message of the gospel.
KG: Some people could say that the concept of the landmark looks very similar to the new Safaricom ad.
Daddy Owen: Our video was shot before Kambua even went to the U.S (around September 2010). The video was finished a month ago.
KG: We have to ask about the live band featuring in the video. How did the idea come about?
Daddy Owen: It is the Prisons band. I got the idea in Nakuru grounds. I had been ministering at the Prisons Ministry for about 3 or 4 months. With time, I created a good rapport with prison officials. I then approached their band officials and they were excited about the project. I appreciate that they charged me half price for their band performance in the video. (Ed. note: its 70K full price in case you're wondering!) We also hired the Zangalewa troup spice up the video.
KG: Congratulations on your MTV MAMA 2010 Nomination. Who are you taking with you to Lagos and how many songs are you going to sing?
Daddy Owen: Thank you. I am going with Dunco and Kera. I am only performing one song at the event. (Ed. note: I guess we don't have to ask which one.... Tobina. As a side note into the interview, he hinted on his performance on 31st Dec. He has a HUGE idea up his sleeve. All we have to say is make sure you watch the performance wherever it will be.)
KG: Reports are that you had been offered a ton load of cash in a Safaricom contract.
Daddy Owen: Yes, its true but I turned it down. (Ed. note: We know so many people who would never turn down 7M)
KG: We got a question from our Facebook fan page. Are you going to do the music video for the song Fire?
Daddy Owen: At the moment, I have not decided yet. I am focussing on the new album but somewhere down the line, I could drop it. (Ed. note: that doesn't sound promising... I guess we'll just have to wait and see)
KG: Certain media reports stated that you and Allan Aaron had some sort of beef. Any comments?
Daddy Owen: It's not true. There is no beef and there has never been any.
KG: There are media reports that linked you to a certain lady and you denied any relationship. Are you seeing anyone?
Daddy Owen: That report was not true. I did not even know the lady in the photo that they put in the papers. As for my relationship right now... (Ed note: He is known as a very private person and couldnt commit to a yes or no. Well ladies, at least we tried.)
KG: Lastly, how can we vote for you for the MTV MAMA 2010 awards?
Daddy Owen: Please log on to http://vote.daddyowen.com and cast your vote. I am in the Best Anglophone category.
10 Random Question for Daddy Owen
1. Ugali or Chapati - Ugali
2. Kirk Franklin or Mary Mary - Kirk Franklin
3. Hip Hop or Reggae - Reggae
4. Matatu or Nissan - Matatu
5. Radio 316 or Hope FM - Hope FM
6. Facebook or Twitter - Facebook
7. Radio or TV - TV
8. Shoes or Clothes - Shoes
9. Black or White - White
10. Call or SMS - SMS
Follow Daddy Owen on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/owenmwatia