Being
brought up from a Christian family, the journey for gospel music for Earnest Kinaibei
commonly known as Kay Blessed, was not callous. But remember, as a pastor’s
son, he vanquished all olds to choose gospel music, contrary to what youths of
his age do. How many come from the same family as Kay Blessed but have turned
away and changed for good, not giving an ear to their parents? Not having a platform
as their parents? How many? Many do not emulate their parents’ norms.
He says that
if a child is trained in the right way, he will not run away from it, but will
grow with it, giving reference to the spiritual book.
“…that
is just a notion. The Bible says train a child in the right way and he will
never depart from it even when he grows old.”
From
Bungoma, in a small village; Township, music grew in Kay Blessed as modified by
his supportive parents. At the age of seven, his parents noticed his love for
pianos and was singing in the church since the age of five. They thought of
nothing but in what seems like they wanted to brew their son’s talent, they
bought him a piano. He used the piano which guided him in singing hymns. He
also admits that his parents’ gift helped him build confidence in music.
Growing up
and exploring his boundaries, the upcoming star learnt of his other talents. He
could then not only sing written hymns but also wrote and sang them.
Additionally, he learnt the art of poetry, drum set, spoken word and upgraded
to guitar. He creatively came up with the name Blessed due to the
plethora of talents the Almighty conferred him.
“Blessed
is because God gifted me with many talent; writing songs, singing, doing spoken
word, playing piano and drum set and bass guitar and the rest. Kay is from the
initial ‘K’ for Kinaibei,” he says.
His
composing songs experience has been smooth since he writes what he sees and the
testimonies of the wonders God has done to him. The art of poetry which he developed in high school has also helped him
write songs with ease, just like falling off.
“It has
been great. I write from revelations and testimonies of God’s greatness in my
life. It has not been hard because I used to write poetry works in high school
for spoken-word presentations,” narrates Kay Blessed.
As many
parents do not buy the idea of their sons and daughters engraving in the walls
of talent, Kay Blessed parents held their son in their arm and watched him walk
in the walks of talent. Many parents want their children to pursue certain
fields such as medicine, education, journalism, aviation, engineering among
other professions they give heavyweight. Most parents claim fields which are
talent-oriented are not serious. You may find an actor who gets much money from
his talent, but his parents still not sufficed with their son or daughter’s
job.
Cutting the
cost of video production for his gospel works, the parents stepped in for a
helping hand and Kay Blessed received the hands in acknowledgements. He held
them tightly as he steadily walked in a journey he started from their
endorsement. Having started writing songs for productions barely a year, Kay
Blessed has two songs released with others yet to be sent to the airwaves to
spread the gospel.
The gospel
artist, who pursues journalism at Moi University in Eldoret is optimistic that
his music career is of a bright future. He says that however the experiences he
gets; he is destined to success. Since he is still studying, he has not given
much time and entirely rooted in music due to the class works. His two songs; Nashukuru
and Hakuna Kama Wewe were released when schools were closed due to the
Coronavirus pandemic.
He admits
that his journalistic skills have also taught him the qualities to be a good
artist by knowing what his audience wants and the trends in the entertainment
industry. He adds that as an artist, one needs to go by the waves and the
ever-changing environment in the media. “The world is contemporary,”
he says, stressing that for one to fit in the current world with the generation
where the internet has changed the world, one needs to be flexible. Does this
mean that an artist needs to be like the swinging pendulum? Of course yes, for
him or her to match his or her audience.
Narrating
the other side of the music journey, Kay Blessed enunciates that although he
has the full support of the parents in the journey, he has been met with
‘enemies’. But which life is always a straight line? Where in this Earth can
somebody progress smoothly without having black eyes? Nobody. And therefore,
Kay Blessed was also there. Here in Earth where there must be the negative
partner of life.
In his
message to young people, the singer and student journalist reiterates that being
determined and always doing what he or she likes is the sole way to success.
“Determination,
meditation and practice is the best route to excellence in music,” he says
adding that one needs to give it a trial and throws his or her net in the water
for a catch.
He draws
line and challenges upcoming artists to always respect their work and put God
first.
” I
believe and trust in God. He is the source of my strength and everything I do, put
him first, all shall be as you want,” he concludes.
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