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Esther’s Prescriptions

     Esther Wahome could well be as Kenya’s queen of gospel music. The 30-year-old musician has seven albums and performed in the UK, US and Canada. Her ‘Kuna Dawa’ track has become a dance hall favourite. She talks about her family, future plans and the changing attitudes towards gospel scene

    Pulse: Your song ‘Kuna Dawa’ is being played in nightclubs, how does it feel to get such attention from the secular world?

   Esther: It feels great! I have achieved something I have always yearned for. Being able to reach out to those whom even preachers and the Church could not reach is indeed a great achievement. I get calls from drunken people who tell me, ‘Esther tunaheshimu Mungu wako’.

P: What has made the song so popular? Is it the message or the track?

E: It’s none of those. I strongly believe it’s God who has given me a breakthrough into the secular world.

P: How does this affect your career?

E: This is a big challenge. This has changed my life knowing that I have been able to touch many lives the world over. It means that my next album has to be better than ‘Kuna Dawa’.

P: Some people have corrupted the lyrics, how do you take that?

E: It simply means that they listen and understand what I am talking about and that it has an impact on their lives. At the end of the day that is all that matters.

P: Having been around for a while, what do you think has changed in the way gospel music is done?

E: The quality of music has definitely changed for the better. Although most gospel artistes are now realising the need to move with the times, only a few have taken the step and are doing well. Music presentation has also changed and we are able to reach out to the most vulnerable people — the youth.

P: Why has it taken you so long to be appreciated?

E: The gospel world has always known me too well and my songs have been well received. My sixth album, ‘Furahia’, was well received abroad and the single with the same title was included in ‘Stars of Afropop’, an international CD, alongside songs by big names like Papa Wemba and Youssou N’dour. This introduced me to millions of fans out there.

P: Is gospel music a career worth pursuing in Kenya?

E: Yes. In fact, gospel music sells more than the secular one.

P: Do you live off your music?

E: Yes.

P: Any tangible financial benefits?

E: Yeah, I have sold over half a million copies of ‘Kuna Dawa’, that is CDs, DVDs, tapes and VHS videos.

P: Did you invest heavily on this?

E: Definitely. I had to part with over Sh600,000 for the production costs.

P: You were nominated for the Kora Awards but did not win. How did you take it?

E: I won’t deny that I was surprised by the outcome of the awards. I still feel that I deserved an award. All the same, I was happy for DnG for winning in his category. He truly deserved it.

P: Why is it hard to get into the gospel music world?

E: It involves a lot of sacrifice, which means that your relationship with God must be right. This is something most people find hard to do. Gospel singers are, in the real sense, preachers.

P: Are you getting enough support?

E: A lot. I’ve got people from all over the world supporting me. My music and interviews are frequently featured in a wonderful channel that is part of UK, US and Canada and I get so many international calls as a result of that. My music has been well received both by the young and old. ‘Kuna Dawa’ has even been received by a section of Muslims.

P: Which producers have you worked with?

E: When I began I worked with the Kassangas, who did my first three albums. I later met R-Kay, with whom I have worked since 1998. He did my four other albums, including ‘Kuna Dawa’.

P: Have you always been interested in gospel music?

E: I grew up in a Christian home. My father is a preacher and I was an active participant in the church choir in Tetu, Nyeri. I also sang while at Njoguini Primary School and Pangani High. My father loved music; he and I often sang together. I was also among the first gospel singers to feature in gospel programmes like ‘Sing and Shine’, ‘Hosanna Hosanna’, ‘Joy Bringers’ and ‘Spiritual Voyage’. I also feature in the ‘Stomp’.

P: Do you think the media are doing enough to feature gospel artistes?

E: Yes. In my view, those who have made a step have been given good coverage. I owe my success to the media.

P: You are in an industry where male attention is rife. Is it difficult to handle?

E: Very difficult. Some of my fans have sent me marriage proposals.

P: Have you ever been stalked?

E: Several times. About two months ago, I used to get phone calls and text messages at midnight.

P: How did you handle it?

E: I would ignore the strange numbers or divert the calls to my husband’s phone or my manager’s.

P: How do you handle the pressure of being an international star?

E: Well I really don’t know what it means to be star. Is it when everyone, regardless of his or her background, appreciates you? You tell me?

P: How do you relate to your childhood friends who may not be as successful as you?

E: They don’t understand how I can be broke while my album is selling the world over.

P: Given a chance, would you perform with secular artistes?

E: Well, it’s a question of choice. I wouldn’t mind being on stage with a person like Eric Wainaina but some of the secular artistes are just an embarrassment to the society because of what they sing.

P: Are you married? Do you have a family?

E: I am married to Godfrey Mureithi and we have a seven-year-old daughter called Mitchelle. I’m the last born in a family of eight. My father, William Wahome, is a preacher while my mother Eunice is a housewife. My sisters Joyce, Jane and Nancy are all born-again. My brothers are Joseph, Daniel, Robert and David. David is also born-again.

P: How do you spend your free time?

E: I pray a lot and read the Bible and motivating books. I also spend time with my family.

P: What is the real Esther Wahome like?

E: A simple, friendly person.

P: Tell us the highest and lowest moments of your career.

E: The highest was when I received news that ‘Furahia’ had been compiled alongside the most popular international musicians. This introduced me to millions of people across the world and created a platform for my career. Also, when was the only gospel singer from Africa to visit Newcastle, where I shared a platform with the likes of Noel Richards of the UK and Ken Riley of Scotland in 2002. I will be going every year.

The lowest was when I wasn’t earning any money from the sale of my music.

P: What are you working on now?

E: I am working on some singles for my eighth album, which will be out soon. I plan on leaving the country soon to do some of the videos.
Article Source: Standard Newspapers.

Esther Wahome