John Chege: From humble beginnings to producing Kikuyu Gospel Music heavyweights

Strongpoint Studios

Since 2004, John Chege of Strongpoint Digital Media in Rwaka, has distinguished himself as the go to, music producer among established and upcoming Kikuyu Gospel Musicians. To date by his estimation he has produced around 3000 gospel musicians. His production credits, has the who is who in Kikuyu Gospel Music like PJ Kongo, Jane Muthoni, Ann Kariuki, Carol Wanjiru, ND Githuka, Hezeh Ndungu, Dennis Mutara, Jeremy Damaris, Beatrice Wangui (Jordan), Solomon Nganga, Shiru wa GP and others. 

Early Starts and Musical Exposure

Yet for this soft spoken man, his early beginnings in life, music and eventually production were humble and required faith. Born in Kangema, Muranga, he relocated with his mom to Banana, Kiambu when he was 7 years. The relocation in 1985, exposed him to a church with instruments unlike ones he attended earlier in Rwathia village, Kangema. By 1992 on completing class 8, he began dabbling with musical instruments and gadgets like mixers at Restoration Victory Ministries Banana, where he attended. 

“Anything musical had a pull on me and fascinated me,” Chege recalls. That exposure enabled him to learn how to control solo and choir voices in a mixer. Also, as a self taught bass and keyboard player, he could detect when songs were sang on or off key. “God had placed me there for a reason, I realized later” Chege told Kikuyu Musicians. Controlling the instruments on mixers gave him an early idea on what a studio requires, to be fully functional. 

Early production forays

At one of the Church’s youth retreat Chege met Paul Mbugua, of Ndakinyite Beshrani fame, who informed him, on use of computers to record music. That realization, bugged his conscience and he thought of buying a computer and trying it, but could not afford one. Early 2004 with Mbugua tutelage in a small house he could barely afford rent of Shs800, in Banana, they borrowed basic recording machines. There, Chege recorded his debut album “Nikwari Mundu” on Job’s tribulations. He followed it up with a quick launch in April 2004, which netted him Shs37, 000. 

After paying all debts he owed like rent, he was left with Shs26, 000 and bought a desktop computer he uses to record to date. His foray to mainstream production and recognition began after meeting PJ Kongo who added to Chege’s musical knowledge. Chege had never studied computers formally, but learned to operate it by using his’ Bishop Michael Chege’s computer. Kongo introduced him to Fruity Loops music programming software. For 6 months he produced Kongo’s “Raha Ciathi” album in his home makeshift studio, using a church microphone plugged to an old cassette deck to capture vocals. 

Production Breakthrough

The song became a hit after Joe Rugano then of Kameme FM, played it after being impressed by its digital quality production. “Then it was rare for Kikuyu Gospel Music to digitally produced, most studios produced with live instruments,” recalls Chege. People who heard Kongo’s song, begun enquiring where it was recorded. “Musicians begun flocking to us, and always got shocked since they expected to find a huge recording studio, with pricy equipments,” said Chege. Since there was no recording booth they would start near the computer and sing. “If there was an interruption we recorded again,” Chege recalls.

Importance of Focus and Single Mindedness

Solomon Nganga followed and recorded his debut album ‘Ngai atua itua niegukurathima.’ Today Chege acknowledges Strongpoint Media is where it is, because of those humble beginnings. In growing his studio Chege admits its taken faith, focus and single mindedness. When he decided to be a producer, he closed a milk kiosk that guaranteed him some basic income, to focus all his strengths in the then, fledgling Strongpoint Media. “My mother thought I’d gone mad, since the studio didn’t earn me anything then,” Chege recalls he had unpaid rent arrears and ate food, at his mom's place. 

Still, his passion kept him going. A vital lesson he learned is the importance of avoiding distractions when pursuing one’s passion. “I feel we Africans, dabble in so many things at once, than focus on a single goal, and give it 100 percent,” he said. Even when initial outcomes of a venture may not be promising, Chege urges people not to quit. “I never gave up though I knew Capital required to start a studio is much,” he recalls. The story of Moses encouraged Chege, when Moses was asked by GOD what he had in his hand, when he had a rod. Chege is still attached to that computer he uses to date. “It’s only the screen I’ve changed and rather than lose it, I upgrade it,” said Chege sentimentally.

Chege attributes his success to prayer, honesty and GOD. “If I ever walk away from GOD that will be my downfall, God started this,” he said. Before an album project commences, they pray for it with the musician, and every morning before he starts producing. Also he listens to aspirations the musicians have for how their albums will sound like. “As a producer, I can’t stifle his creativity my role is to make suggestions, and correct errors if I interfere, I could stop the album being a hit,” said Chege. 

Producing Shiru wa GP’s Agiginyani

This is the way they worked on Shiru wa GP monster guitar driven hit album “Agiginyani.” Shiru came up with ideas for guitar; Chege sourced the session guitarist best fitting the album in Utukufu. He also ensured they were recorded to improve the song, not take anything away. His belief is, if he engages a musician in the creative process, they will all be satisfied in the final project. He remembers once, Jane Muthoni came with a song that had been recorded 4 times without her satisfaction. He listened to what she wanted, and recorded it once and she was happy with it. 

Production Philosophy

Each day in his studio he books one musician daily, so that he perfects the production and delivers on time. “If I do one great job today it guarantees me a future as a producer,” emphasized Chege. He is also a firm believer in peer consulting not being a know it all producer. Where he feels cooperation with a producer or an instrumentalist will improve the album, he engages them. That ensures every album produced is unique and doesn’t sound like another out in market. “At the end the musician is satisfied and listeners love what came out,” said Chege. To finish an album takes him 1.5 weeks, and he charges from Shs5000 onwards for each song produced. 

For the last 3 years, Chege has been working with students interested in learning music production from him. He also has enrolled to study music production at a college, having never studied it formally. He urges budding producers to learn to play instruments, as that way, they can easily spot errors in instrumentation and understand their coordination with vocals. This father of a boy and a girl also urges producers not to be driven by money. But focus more on moulding, even a least talented musician, to be a success and leave the uplifting matters to GOD. 

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Martin wa Janet: On musical journey anchored in perseverance amidst turmoil

Tough beginnings in life don’t necessarily mean the ends will be painful. That rings true for one Martin wa Janet 30 years, whose journey to the pinnacle of Kikuyu Gospel Music has been rife with challenges, self doubt, mocking and faith amidst hopelessness. All that has shaped Martin to fully depend and trust in GOD, at all times regardless of the pain through seasons of life.

Early Life

Known for inspiring hits like Nituririkanitwo and Nitumwinyihire with Obedi, life for this turbaned man (mkorino) began in Kihiu Mwiri, Muranga County. He attended PK primary and secondary school up to Form 3 where personal problems forced him to drop out. Hazy about what to do in life, he left Muranga for Kiambu and was housed by Mama Jane. He joined a local akorino church Africa Mission Holy Ghost headed by Bishop Ezra Njoroge where he played drums with vigour. 

In his teenage years, Martin, spent almost 4 years jobless in Kiambu but got a job in a hotel in downtown Nairobi around 2003, where he earned Sh100 daily. The hotel job proved a challenge for his slight frame, and one day the excessive heat in the kitchen caused him to vomit. The hotel owner reprimanded him and Martin begged him to give him one more month. He became a waiter but waiting hassles proved tiring he worked less than 3 months and quit. He also lost his beloved mom that year.

Trials as Matatu Conductor

A man who had a matatu noticed Martin jobless and loitering Kiambu town and offered him a job as a conductor for Kiambu town route 100, a job he did until 2008. As a conductor he desired to sing and after work composed songs but lacked recording money. “My heart was in music,” recalls Martin. He was influenced by fellow akorino gospel musicians like Sammy Nene and Hezeh Ndungu.

As a conductor, wearing the akorino white turban he experienced lots of trials. He recalls a time while hanging on Matatu door his turban accidentally fell off, and a passenger asked him sarcastically asked him what was that, that fell off his head. Also being a born again Christian donning a turban, traffic police loathed him, as he never due to his faith gave bribes. One police got so irritated at Martin’s refusal to bribe that he pulled a turban from his head and threw it to the vehicle. “It was hurtful and being a born again conductor I encountered many problems,” recalls Martin smiling. 

Working with Dennis Mutara

As fate would have it, as a conductor he met famous gospel artiste Dennis Mutara who sold oranges near a supermarket in Kiambu in 2006 while dabbling in his budding musical career. Then in 2008 Mutara released ‘Ngai angikiuga Niukugia’ album which he distributed around Central Kenya with a public address system. Martin joined his distribution entourage and they would go to crusades and open air market to sell them. Martin with funding from Mama Jane recorded his 7 track debut album ‘Ngai niwenjire Githima’ which was played intermittently on radio. 

Still to get the master CD from recording studio took him 3 months to raise sh15, 000. He followed it up with ‘Mwarie ciugo cia Ngai’ and ‘Ngai Tutumire Mundu’ both received limited airplay and acceptance. In 2009 he recorded ‘Mwathani Tuonerie haria tugutheremera.’ 

Breakthrough to Mainstream

Through his albums he got invited to lead akorino ‘kigooco live’ praise in 2010 every Sunday 5am to 6am at Inooro FM at Muturi wa Muiru’s show Kimuri Kia Inooro. For two years He pounded the akorino drums for an hour and sing. Eventually he got invited by Evangelist Lucy wa Ngunjiri to lead praise in crusades by her Beyond Boundaries Ministries. With 6 albums to date ^th album Jehovah ni Muthamaki both played prominently in Kikuyu FM radio stations. 

two songs that brought him prominence are Nituririkanitwo off his latest album and a collaboration with Obedi ‘Nitumwinyihirie’ off the 4

Challenges in Music

To get the recognition he has today Martin admits it’s been hard and he questioned his musical ability and God’s will in his life in the song (Ngai Niwe Niwanduire Mwariria) album 4. He recalls going to major events and selling only two CDs and getting arrested by the city council while hawking his music on a small radio. Potential customers also made false promises to buy his music. One moment that left him shattered, was when he accompanied Mutara to Nanyuki. Martin carried 300CDs for the event and by day 3 had sold 5 only for Sh500. Broke and worse off than he came, Mutara bailed him out by paying for his accommodation and food as his CDs were selling. 

Disappointed, on the last day Martin stood on stage and announced “I want to know if it’s my music you hate or don’t have money,” he decided to sell them at half price of Sh50 to get fare. Travelling back to Kiambu from Nanyuki he felt disappointed but realized maybe GOD’s time had not come. “If GOD has to lift you up, you will be tested by fire so that you are full of revelation,” observes Martin.

Besides lack of money for recording, Martin says getting his music recognized was hard. Having realized there are hundreds of thousands of Kikuyu musicians he knew for his music to reach masses, GOD would have to intervene. “If you are unknown musician you get ignored at events but work hard on your craft and leave the rest to GOD to uplift you,” says Martin. 

First Radio Airplay

Getting airplay in Kikuyu Radio stations wasn’t easy and he savors the moment in 2008 when his song ‘Niwe wenjire Githima’ got played first time on air at Kameme FM. “I felt reborn, reinvigorated and thanked GOD for it,” said Martin. According to Martin one can spend lots of money on recording but what matters is GOD’s favor and prayers. “You can write a song it gets lots of airplay but if GOD doesn’t open the ears of listeners to love your music, it won’t be accepted or bought,” he said. 

Composing Process

When composing Martin reads the Bible for revelation and connects the message to everyday life people go through. It takes him a day or over a month to perfect one song depending on subject matter he focuses on. For the Nitumwinyihirie with Obedi he wrote the chorus, and Obedi wrote most verses, a process that took 6 months to complete the collaborated album. The tune according to Martin comes naturally as he gets the lyrics. Besides the Bible he values listening to sermons as they provide him with songwriting ideas. To produce 1 album costs him around Sh100, 000 with Video shooting included.

Advice to Budding Musicians

His advice to budding gospel artistes is to go into it if one is sure it’s the call of GOD so incase an album flops you soldier on. Otherwise an artiste driven to gospel music for money gets disappointed if his first album flops. He also advises one not to enter music because of a wave. Personally Martin has observed people who sold a cow to record because they saw a neighbor record and be successful. He observes such end selling the CD”s to family or close friends and go back to the village broke and disillusioned. Though piracy has hit him he estimates to have sold almost 100, 000 of his albums VCDs included. 

Notable Shows

Martin has sung in notable shows for Kameme FM thanksgiving at Kirigiti stadium Kiambu, Inooro FM road shows and at book launch in KICC attended by Kalonzo Musyoka. But for a visa denial he was to perform in California accompanying Evangelist Lucy Wa Ngunjiri. The father of one says the key to being lifted up by GOD is by singing from revelation to give hope to the listeners and humility before GOD.

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DK Karanja: ‘Mukunyururia’ singer shares his passion for God in Music

Daniel Kamau Karanja popular in Kikuyu Gospel, as DK Karanja is known for songs about everyday situations people go through and God’s purpose in them. The songs soft, prayerful melodic deliveries by Karanja is exactly what he asked God for, when he knew he was called to gospel music.

Growing Up

Though he released his first album in 2007, as a young boy born in Nyathuna, Kiambu and growing up in Narok, Karanja loved singing and also hoped to be a preacher. His mother, quarreled him for his love of hitting anything metallic like sufurias, milking buckets and kettles to create melodies. After 1992 tribal clashes forced them to relocate Kiambu from Narok he began to sing. But it’s after, he got born again in 2000 he sensed he was called to gospel music. His prayer to GOD was to sing uniquely and in a way that would make HIM be honored by listeners.

Early Struggles and Influences

He got a job as a matatu driver and saved money aiming to record one day. Money was hard to come and getting shillings 20,000 to record was beyond him. He joined a merry go round scheme where they saved money and got paid in turns Sh6000 after 30 days. In that time he listened to songs of other musicians and correct mistakes he viewed existed. His aim was always to sing from Godly conviction and will not for fame or money. “There is a way GOD requires us to worship HIM, not all songs we sing to him please HIM,” Karanja told Kikuyu Musicians.

Then he admired music by ND Githuka, late Anastasia Karanja, Milkah Muthoni, Julia Lucy, Elizabeth Nyambere and Njenga wa Cucu. “You can sense a touch of GOD in their music it’s not something they were dabbling in,” observes Karanja. He admired their songs that challenged people to live right with GOD. Up to when he released his first album, Karanja learned lessons on waiting on GOD. “A child can’t be born and eat Githeri tomorrow there is a need for growth,” said Karanja. For him GOD “delays” are vital to ensure we are not conceited after getting quick blessings that can lead us to self destruction. “Motivation shouldn’t be about money in gospel music,” he said.

Recording Debut Album & Discouragements

When he was ready to record, he had Sh6000 but the producer agreed to record him after promising to later pay the rest. His aim for the album was to convey his musical thoughts without interference by the producer. He released his debut album Jesu Nyita na Guoko in 2007. The album was initially not well received due to lack of radio airplay. “Acceptance for music in the media is at times hard,” Karanja observes. He took his album to Kikuyu radio stations around 10 times without any airplay. He even got a painful verbal barb, from a radio presenter who called his songs too mournful for radio. Another told him they had deleted them from their database.

Nonetheless, Karanja soldiered on without taking any hurtful statements personally. “Today I see the presenter though he is ashamed I don’t have hard feelings,” he said. The saving grace came through Skiza tunes by Safaricom once Karanja got his music there, it became popular. Later, the media picked his songs for airplay. “Skiza popularized my songs,” he said. Through that he advises budding musicians to never give up and be sure if GOD called them, the gift in them will flourish in due time. He also urges them to not take seriously anyone who belittles their GOD given musical gift. “So long as GOD who called You, hasn’t told You he can’t help You, why give up,” Karanja asks.

He followed his debut album with Ndakwambararia na Ngugoce album in 2009 which proved popular as well as his third album Nii Ningwitheria. His latest album is Mukunyururia whose title song has proved to be a spiritual anthem for those in tough times and getting mocked. Its message is from the story of the mocking Hannah endured from Peninah due to barrenness in the Bible. “At times you require an enemy to get You out of complacency and passivity and know what you lack,” said Karanja.

Composing Style & Piracy

When composing Karanja observes situations (good or bad) people go through and GOD’s purpose in them. According to him humanity suffers from common problems, in lack one may lack clothes another food. From such he gets a message first and then a melody follows. The Bible and Rhema word helps him have a revelation of how to contextualize GOD’s solution in the song for the listeners.

Though piracy has hit him, he has managed to sell 0.7 million songs and albums. “GOD has favoured me,” said Karanja. Piracy, Karanja says it won’t hinder him from delivering GOD’s message to people in songs. “A mole can’t stop a farmer from planting but those who feed their children by stealing are cursed with them,” said Karanja. He sees piracy as a blessing in disguise as GOD’s message reaches more people though he loathes it.

Motivation in Gospel Music

From observing today’s gospel music scene, Karanja is sad some people are in it for selfish motives like greed for money and fame than glorifying GOD. “Be in it according to GOD’s will only, the love of money is dangerous and makes people kill,” he said. Though open to ministering internationally, Karanja would shun invitations however lucrative whose motives are not GOD centered. “I don’t sing to please people but if GOD is honored people know HIM,” Karanja said. He recalls a person who told him his music wouldn’t sell since it’s not too modern or danceable but it never bothers him.

“There has to be a clear difference between gospel and worldly music,” Karanja said as GOD looks at the heart not the movements. These days unlike before, he is inundated with invites to an extent he can’t keep up with them, but is grateful to GOD for there were times they lacked. He markets his music in crusades and churches. He also appreciates the role stations like Inooro, Coro and Kameme FMs have had in making known his music. “They even call to ask if we got new music,” he said.

Challenges and Handling Them

Challenges, Karanja says shouldn’t faze us, as they are common to all, but leave us loving GOD more not shunning him. “Problems mould you so that tomorrow you are not prideful,” said Karanja. He has been in events where people have told him he can’t sing and refused a chance to. Nevertheless music is rewarding as his main source of livelihood and educates his children. Through music he has begun businesses like construction of buildings, hiring out public address systems and shooting videos.

Hope for the Future

In future he aims to expand his business to create employment in his Stardan video and music production company. His music is available in Simba Centre river road. He encourages musicians to invest in other sectors as it not guaranteed money from music will always flow. He urges people to know that GOD thinks good of them. “Better the problems of today with promise of a blessed tomorrow,” Karanja said. Of his 4 albums, Karanja’s favorite is the debut, as its all where his musical journey begun. “If we repent and follow GOD, HE will bring us to our vision,” said Karanja. Karanja’s contacts are +254 725 592 168.

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