Eko Dydda has risen to become one of the top gospel artistes in Kenya since his ‘Niko Na Reason’ release seven years ago. He was recently awarded Best Male Artiste in the Groove Awards. He tells BUZZ about his music journey and the united country he prays to see soon.
I was born in Mathare Valley. We then moved to Huruma, Mathare North, and Kariobangi: Eastlands basically. My family and I went to church in Huruma and Korogocho and I started school in Kariobangi. I have three siblings.
I loved soccer. A lot. I never expected to be a musician but God’s grace is sufficient. I have loved music since I was a child and the amazing thing is that it has always been gospel music. I love singing for the glory of God. I never knew secular music existed. (Laughs).
My family influenced me to do gospel music especially since my parents were staunch Christians. They had gospel tape records and cassettes in the house which I listened to by default. Some of those songs were sang in church so I guess that grew on me.
As a child, I sang for fun; at school parades or in front of family members. I had absolutely no idea that I would be doing music full time in future. But either way, I was passionate about music ever since I was a little kid.
I realised I was gifted in music while in Form Three at Eastleigh High School. God spoke this revelation to me through my classmate and my friend. I started writing my music after this. At the time however, I tried balancing school, soccer and music until God completely spoke to me telling me that music is my sole purpose, nothing else. I got saved in Class Four when I was 10 years old.
My parents weren’t supportive at first , like most parents who believe that education should come first, and other hobbies and gifts after. They based it on the notion that good jobs were only in working in the government, or being a doctor or a lawyer. (Laughs). But I’m glad they came around and supported me.
I had released so many songs before 'Niko Na Reason', some of whose names I can’t even remember. (Laughs). But Niko Na Reason is what gave me recognition in the industry. That was early 2009. I had however started releasing my songs three years prior.
I’ve never produced an album. I prefer releasing singles instead. Music to me is a platform on which I can speak what God has put in me. I feel like a preacher through my music because it’s more of a priesthood in this generation. Most millennials will opt to go to music concerts instead of crusades, so I use this as a platform to preach that which is in line with my purpose in life, and that is to tell people about God’s Kingdom and his word.
We have come a long way entertaining people from different cultures, but sad this is that’s what ends up dividing us. My wish is for parents to raise their children in a safer environment, free of tribalism and inequality but this is normally undermined by holding on to cultural backgrounds which end up being divisive most of the time. We as parents end up creating unconducive environments for the same children we deeply care about.
I think we can curb tribalism by first having a common naming system in our country, not based on the tribe. Secondly, we should all speak common languages like English, Kiswahili and Sheng’. In the Bible, languages were created at the Tower of Babel to divide people because they were united for the wrong reasons, and I believe it’s doing so in today’s world. Thirdly, we should all strive to call our country home in general, not just our ancestral homes. Lastly, I believe that intermarriage is also a way in which Kenyans can deal with tribalism and bring unity.
Before I realised that I wanted to be a musician I though that rap was too fast for me. I didn’t understand what rappers said, plus there was the notion that they are noise makers.
The first time I wrote music was in Form Three as I said, I was revising for a Physics exam that I would sit the following day. I tore a page from my book, and all the lyrics I wrote were for a rap song. It was difficult when I started doing music because people believed that gospel music should only be sang, and not rapped.
So I bent and tried singing, till I realised that it didn’t work for me, but rap did. God wanted to use me through rap, and through that experience I believe that He guided me through my lyrics. I was never taught how to rap. It was all from God’s grace. I learnt that God creates his vessels the way He wants to.
I learnt that I shouldn’t underestimate myself and feel less of a gospel artiste for being a rapper. So I focused more on obeying the Master because he uses people differently. I would like to set the record straight that just because a person doesn’t like rap, doesn’t mean that it can’t be used by God or make a person receive salvation.
Rap is just a different way of delivering the message. I write all my lyrics, and they are all about my love for God, His love for me, His abilities and all He’s done for me in my life.
Fame to me is something normal, just as it was for Jesus. I mean, He would just sit and talk and 5000 people also sat and listened to Him. Knowing Jesus makes it easy to be Christ-like. Fame is an addition, it’s not a big deal. Seeking His Kingdom is the most important thing.
My biggest achievement in my music career has to be being able to serve the Lord. The most interesting collaboration I have ever done has to be Niko Na Reason. My biggest dream in my music career is to achieve God’s will, and whatever He puts in that line I will work towards.
The greatest lesson I have learnt so far i n my musical journey is that God is faithful. He means every word He speaks and says to us. Also, sticking to God and seeing the plans He has. No one knows how to reward His servants as God does.
I do not have any future plans for myself or my music. All I do is leave myself in God’s hands and let His will be done in my life. God’s love for me and vice versa is honestly what wakes me up every morning and be able to do what I do. Seeing his constant and unconditional love in my life despite wronging Him is all that matters to me.
My two sons, Keep It Real Favor Dydda and I Am Blessed Wisdom Dydda are five and three years old respectively. They were born with music, an art of their own. It’s by God’s sufficient grace that they are talented. All I do is nurture and guide them through their music journey. My dream for them is that they become whoever God intends them to become, because His plans are greater than anything you can think of.
I’ve been with my wife Galia Dydda for the longest time, ever since we were in Sunday School.
