Eko Dydda stands tall as one of the few artistes of his generation still topping charts. With an unflinching faith, he believes a great rebirth is imminent for gospel music in Africa and beyond. He spoke to Lifestyle about his political ambitions and his future in the music scene.
Let’s start from the beginning. What was your upbringing like, and how did it shape the man you are today?
Well, my upbringing was both very sweet and sour. I come from a very small and loving family, where I’m the third born out of four kids who shared everything to the last detail. We didn’t have much, so struggle was our usual thing. Living in Mathare North, sharing a single room with our parents. Their small-scale businesses, which could only enable hand-to-mouth living, made affording three square meals our daily prayer request.
Eventually, we got used to a meal a day, with Jesus being the unseen guest at every one of them. But we were the happiest family, and we still are. The hardships made me very appreciative and observant to every blessing along the way: as a child, a young man, and now a parent. My experiences shaped how I parent and how I perceive life. I’ve learnt to be hopeful, thankful, and appreciative. These are the ingredients that shaped the man I am today.
At what point did music walk into your life and how did it change your path?
Rumour has it that when I was born I didn’t cry like normal children but wailed melodically — don’t laugh. I was a footballer and had big dreams of playing for Barcelona. Everything about me during my early and late teenage years pointed towards the pitch. Being a church boy, I only sang church music and in church. And you might not believe this, but I was a worship leader. That’s where I started singing — and it was every other genre but hip hop. (Laughs). I started listening to hip hop when I moved in with my big brother, Mesh. Blasting music was kind of a thing in every bachelor’s house, so listening to loud hip hop 24/7 got me really interested in the genre. Eventually, I influenced my choir members into doing freestyles amid praise, which at first got us in trouble, but since the elders wanted to keep us in church, they allowed us to continue doing it. Later, we began doing inter-church musical competitions where I interacted with the likes of M4J, BMF, and MOG. Since they were all better vocalists than me, I had to fall back to hip hop — and the rest was magical by God’s grace.
Talk about your most recent music, and what it means to your brand.
I am super excited about the musical stage and phase I’m in right now and I’m glad that the fans relate. I released an album Pastor kwa Hoodie which did very well considering the long break I took. I also have two new songs out “Che ka Guevara” and “Wananiuliza” (featuring Boss MOG) that are doing good as well. And another one (will be) dropping very soon.
Eko Dydda stands tall as one of the few artistes of his generation still topping charts.
Photo credit: Pool
You were one of the first Kenyan public figures to embrace homeschooling for your children. Are you still homeschooling? How is that journey working out now?
Yes, I’m still homeschooling. They’re teenagers now and loving it, still. So there’s no going back to the failed system. Jesus too was homeschooled — his star was too bright and seen as a threat to those in power.
You’ve been in the game for over a decade — a long run in the music scene. What has kept you afloat and relevant, especially with Gen Zs now tuning in?
If I said it had anything to do with me, I’d be lying. It’s all God’s intervention, grace, and favour. The only part I’ve played is being patient enough to let God flex on you guys. (Laughs). Sticking to my dream, following my star, and refusing to back out even if Herod is promising the heavens — the Holy Spirit always got me up.
Many say Kenya’s gospel music industry lost its fire in recent years. As someone who lived its golden era, what’s your honest take on why things faded?
The golden era is yet to come. What people see is just a teaser of how God takes up his glory. Gospel is the fire — how can fire lose fire? If it did, then explain why people still sing my old and new songs word for word. Some artistes took different directions and represent other things but that doesn’t define where the gospel stands. Some new ones came and are doing very well — not forgetting the remnants. Since the time of John the Baptist, the kingdom suffers violence and only the violent take it by force. Like an eagle renewing its strength after the storm, the gospel is scaling up the mountain — old but returning younger, renewed, and triumphant.
Eko Dydda stands tall as one of the few artistes of his generation still topping charts.
Photo credit: Pool
In 2022, you took a bold step into politics, vying for MCA Mathare North Ward. What motivated that move, and how did the experience shape you?
Kenyan politics has serious requirements, one being, a leader who lies more than he works — something I don’t think I’ll ever get better at. I purposely ventured into it to bring tangible change to my hood. The devil’s work is to steal, kill, and destroy God’s vision in us. I was humbled, thrilled, as I learnt and unlearnt, mastering the rough patches, sharp corners, valleys, and hills in the true and shifty nature of this special assignment. Now I’m doing low-key civic education and hopefully we’ll learn.
Your candidature sparked quite some reactions. Would you do it again?
Yes, I’d go for it again because good leadership is very much needed in our country — 300 style — “Spartans, ahu!” No turning back without victory. The bridges are all burnt like Julius Caesar’s combat strategy — until new ones are built or until we totally win.
If politics does become a bigger part of your life, where does that leave music? Can you balance both?
I have a stable team managing both campaigns and music, so I’m not worried. My major assignment and great talent is to inspire, motivate, and lead this generation into its predestined glory triumphantly. The rain isn’t stopping until the Ark rests well on Mount Ararat — meaning the One who assigned and anointed me isn’t getting tired or firing me from either. There are still many assignments to fulfil.
Beyond music and politics, what’s a side of Eko Dydda people rarely get to see?
As you look ahead, what’s the legacy you want to leave — for music, for your children, and for Kenya? I want to be remembered as the man who gave it all up to Jesus. That’s all I know, walk, and talk. My music will stop and others will still sing. So, I focus on adding value into people’s lives that stays a lifetime. One major goal is to vie for a seat, allowing me to enact a law that safeguards and empowers artistes, sportsmen, and the film industry. Achieving this will be greater than anything I’ve ever dreamt of.
