Over the years, several gospel artists in Kenya have made surprising moves, leaving an industry devoted to singing and promoting God to join the secular music scene, which is often associated with worldly themes.
These moves have raised many questions, with fans wondering about their commitment to gospel. Some artists, however, have defended their decision, citing various personal and professional reasons.
Times Digital Kenya has compiled a list of famous artists who unexpectedly left the gospel industry for secular music.
Willy Paul
In the early 2010s, Willy Paul grabbed the attention of Kenyans with a new style of gospel music similar to bongo.
As a gospel artist, he released multiple hits, including the collaboration with Gloria Muliro, “Sitolia,” which became his breakthrough in the industry.
During this period, Willy Paul became a household name, especially among younger Kenyans who resonated with his style that connected them to God. He won several awards as a gospel artist and served as an inspiration to many young people.
In what many would term backsliding, Willy Paul switched from gospel to the secular music scene between 2017 and 2018.
Despite his success in the gospel industry, Willy Paul cited his exit as a result of lack of support and hypocrisy among fellow gospel musicians. To date, he continues with secular music, with no signs of returning to gospel.
Bahati
Just like Willy Paul, Bahati began his music career as a gospel artist in the early 2010s. His style was often compared to Willy Paul’s, which sparked debates among fans about who was better.
Bahati’s first mainstream hit, “Siku ya Kwanza,” was released in 2012, followed by songs like “Barua,” “Mama,” and “Story Yangu” featuring Dennoh.
These songs, along with others, cemented his name in Kenya’s gospel industry, and his future was thought to be very promising.
However, this success didn’t last long, as he switched to secular music just a few years after Willy Paul. According to Bahati, he left gospel music due to people in the industry who behaved as if they were holier than him. He went on to release secular songs, many of which became major hits.
Weezdom
Having lived a life of crime and drugs and later spending 10 months in rehabilitation, Weezdom released his first gospel song in 2015 after turning his life to Christ.
He followed it up with “Umenitoa Far” in 2016, which earned him significant recognition among gospel listeners in Kenya.
Thereafter, Weezdom signed with EMB Records, owned by Bahati, and in September 2019, he collaborated with Bahati on a song titled “Block.” While at EMB, he also served as the official Music and content manager for Bahati.
However, this didn’t last long, as he eventually exited the label in 2021 and later left the gospel music industry altogether. Weezdom cited his departure from gospel music as a result of what he described as too much hatred in the gospel world.
DNG
Although he is from the older generation, Davidson Ngibuini, popularly known as DNG, is another artist who crossed over from gospel to secular music.
Initially, he started his music career as a secular artist but later became ‘born again’ and even released gospel music. However, it was a short stint, as in 2013 he announced that he was no longer a gospel artist.
He returned to his ‘bad boy’ lifestyle and focused mostly on entertainment, MC work, and radio hosting.
Kim Danny
Having made his name in Kenya’s music industry as a gospel artist, Kim Danny released numerous gospel records over the years.
During his four-year period as a gospel artist, he released songs such as “Wacha Nikwambie,” “Nina Imani,” “Ajabu,” and “Nimeshinda.”
After this, he decided to switch to the secular music scene in 2018, releasing several songs that were no longer gospel.
He explained his exit as a result of lack of support and love in the industry, describing the experience as a struggle against politics and challenges within the gospel music world.
