Kenyan Musician Confesses How He Left Crime After Seeing His Friends Being Felled One By One
DAN ODONGO aka COLLO MUSIQ a talented secular music started recording songs while in class four, courtesy of his teacher who saw immense talent in him. Several years later, he has managed to record and produce over 100 songs. He chats with SILAS NYAMWEYA about his music journey and his life in crime while a youth living at Dandora estate.
When and how did you begin your music journey?
Let me say that I have been doing music for a long time. After my high school, I never wanted to do anything else other than music. And even I had a chance to go to University, I could not do anything else other than music.
From the time I was in primary school, I used to lead my school team for various music festivals. When the teachers noticed the unique talent in me, they opted to offer me full support. I really appreciated this support.
I don’t remember the exact yearI recorded my first song but it occurred when I was in class four. I used to get shows even when I was in secondary school. Mark you, I started with gospel music and one of my first performances was at Guardian Angel’s event. However, upon being given a platform to sing after Guardian Angel, the audience started living, and this made me very annoyed. I decided to do secular from then.
At one time you got involved in crime, please tell us your experience
Yes after completing my secondary school schooling, I moved to Nairobi, Dandora to be precisely where I put up with my elder sister. However, due to peer pressure and lack of meaningful thing to do, I got involved in crime though indirectly. I was being used by drug peddlers to transport drugs from clients within and outside the estate for a commission. I did this out of desperation because were really living in deplorable condition. However, over time, the time peddlers were either gunned down or apprehended and so I had no otherwise but to rescind from this activity. In place, I decided to look up for a music promoter and luckily, I got one who held my hand by supporting me though for a short while.
So far, how many songs have you produced and which are the most performing
By the grace of God, I have managed to record over 100 songs and still adding more to the basket. Among the best performing are “Oberana”, “Sue Nyar Migori”, and “Bazokizo” and many more.
100 songs? That is quite interesting. what makes you so enthusiastic?
I wanted to set a record as an artist from Siaya who has managed to produce the highest number of songs. I also believe that if you produce many songs, there are certainly those that will do well and put you in the limelight, thus I will get many opportunities for show performances and appearances. In our area if you have low number of songs, it may take a long time before you actually get a chance to perform at a show.
What is unique about you?
The unique thing about me is that I do me; I stand in my own style and it is not easy to copy it. I also came out of a very bad experience whereby; I at one time got involved in crime during my youth time. It was in 2015 and due to peer pressure
What else do you do besides music?
I sell clothes, women’s clothes and women’s wear. Sometimes, I also go back to being an artist and make some clothes myself.
How do you specifically earn from your music?
I earn through community support. Besides, I distribute my music on diverse platforms including Skiza, Mdundo, Sportify, Youtube and others where I get some royalities.Fans also pay me to create songs dedicated to them. When someone wants a song from me, they pay for it. I also offer educational sessions related to music, and that’s another way I earn from it.
Since your first song until now, would you say you’ve improved?
I can say that I’m improving and I am still growing, still learning. This is in terms of managing myself, writing, singing vocals, performances and so on.
What do you think about the Kenyan music industry
I can say Kenyan musicians are a good job but we lack support. Our people love supporting musicians from outside the country but leave our own. This for me is a sad experience.
Your parting shot?
I am urging well-wishers out there, be it music promoters, producers, artists or any Kenyan to support me musically so that I will be able to exploit my talent fully.
