Willy Paul

Willy Paul

Willy Paul in 2011
Born Wilson Abubakar Radido
4 February 1993
Mathare, Nairobi, Kenya
Residence Kasarani, Nairobi
Other names
  • Willy
  • Abu
Occupation Singer
Years active 2010–present
Parent(s)
  • Paul Radido
Awards
  • Groove Award for Male Artist of the year
  • Groove Award Artist of the year(2012)

Musical career

Genres
  • Contemporary Christian Music
  • pop
  • soul
Instruments Vocals
Associated acts Gloria Muliro
Website
youtube.com/willy

Wilson Abubakar Radido is a Kenyan Award winning Contemporary Christian Music artist, song writer and entertainer from Kasarani in Nairobi.[1] Willy Paul was named male artist of the year at the 2013 Groove Awards alongside his mentor Gloria Muliro who took the female artist of the year award.[2] Some of his well known singles are Sitolia, Kitanzi and You never Know which have earned him international fame, including a famous tour of the US where he performed in different churches in several States.[3] He first gained recognition after recording the song Sitolia with Gloria Muliro which, although, was an object of controversy after several claims by Willy that he was not earning much from the song because Gloria Muliro allegedly owned exclusive Copyrights to the song.[4] They nevertheless were able to iron out their differences and even went on to record another hit song, Kitanzi[5] In 2012, he was nominated for the Kisima Music Awards' Gospel Artist of the year, an award that was later won by Daddy Owen.[6] Willy Paul is a praise and worship member at Kasarani Church.

Early life

Wilson Abubakar Radido was born to Mr and Mrs. Paul Radido on February 1993 in Mathare slums.Mr Radido who is from Ugandan descent was a Carpenter while his wife, an Immigrant from Tanzania, was a salonist up until 2011 when a chronic illness confined her to her bed.Paul dropped out of school in 2011 due to financial constraints emanating from having lost his father. He was forced to engage in Juakali jobs to generate income to support his bed-ridden mother alongside his three siblings.[1] His brother is Bachelor's Degree Holder in Electronic Engineering from the University of Nairobi

Career

His major breakthrough in music came in 2010, when he co-authored his first single Sitolia with Gloria Muliro, which a reflection of his life history, depicting the struggles he had gone through but giving himself a renewed hope that God had been faithfull enough to bring him to the limelight.His first album, You never know was launched on Thursday 5 December 2013 in a colourful ceremony at the KICC graced by musicians Daddy Owen, Ben Githae, Gloria Muliro, DK Kwenye Beat, Bahati, MOG, Size 8, Mr Seed, Shiru Wa GP, Betty Bayo, Danny Gift, DJ Sadic and DJ Mo[7]

Willy with Bob Collymore (center) and Gloria at the Grooves

The album had songs like, You never know,Lala Salama,Mpenzi and Kitanzi.Willy Paul announced that he would be touring the USA where he would perform in different Churches in 12 states. The tour organised by Talanta Awards was to begin on 8 March to April 2014. The tour however begun on 10 March in Sacramento, California.He performed alongside artiste Polly Odotte at the House of Glory Church.He then headed to Neema Gospel Church in Dallas, TX and on 15 March,performed at St Louisiana, Missouri.on 29–30 March, Willy ministered to the audience at Neema Community Church in Overland Park, Kansas.He concluded his tour on 27 April in Las Vegas, Nevada[3]

Philanthropy

Having grown up in Mathare slums, Willy Paul has set up his own foundation in Mathare to help the needy people in the area.Willy Paul has also been able to assist young children get access to basic education and healthcare[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Willy Paul Biography". Daily Nation. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Willy Paul Wins Groove Award". The Standard. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Willy Paul To tour the USA". The Grooves. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "beef over sitolia". The standard. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Gloria and Willy Release New Song". Mdundo. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Kisima Awards winners". Kisima Music Awards. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Willy Paul Album Launch". The Star.
  8. ↑ "People's Favorite Willy Paul Gives Back to Society". Nairobi wire. Retrieved 6 August 2012.

Discography

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Willy Paul.