Gloria Muliro

Gloria Muliro
Background information
Birth name Gloria Muliro
Born (1980-09-04) 4 September 1980
Emanyinga, Vihiga County[1]
Genres Gospel
Occupation(s) Musician/ Motivational Speaker
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2005–present
Labels GloriamuliroMuzik
Associated acts Willy Paul, Chris Tomlin, Angela Chibalonza,

Gloria Owendi, commonly referred to as Gloria Muliro (born 4 September 1980), is a Kenyan Gospel musician[2] and songwriter. She debuted in 2005 when she released her first studio album titled Omwami Aletsa (The Lord is Coming). As of 2013, Gloria has four albums to her name, her most successful being Kibali (mandate) which has the popular song "Sitolia" (I Won't Cry) featuring Willy Paul. The album earned her six Groove Awards nominations.[3] She went on to receive the female artist of the year award at the eighth Groove awards, an event that was attended by President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta.[4] She was married to preacher Erick Miko Omba, but have since separated.[5]

Early life

Gloria was born to David Muliro and Esther Muliro. She went to Emanyinga Primary School where she sat for her KCPE exams before enrolling at St. Theresa Academy for her secondary education. She later joined the International Teachers Training College, Dagoretti for a two-year teaching course which she completed but had her final results withheld by the school owing to the huge debt she owed the school in form of school fees she was however able to acquire them after working as house help for a couple of months, her breakthrough finally came when she got a teaching job at a local school.[1][6] Gloria loved music right from a tender age. Having been born in a musical family, she drew a lot of inspiration from her mum, and her siblings, whom they sang together in Sunday school and school choir. “Every December, my sisters and I participated in Church Choir singing mainly Christmas carols (amalako), and on Christmas day we would compete with other groups”. She says. Even then, Gloria hadn’t realized that she had a ministry in her. It wasn’t until 2001 that she responded to the call of God, and began music as a career. It wasn’t an easy start since she was gripped by fear and very low self-esteem, which affected the sound of her voice, and she almost gave up singing, as she sounded horrible.

“At that time I learnt how to tell it to God as it is and as I gave Him all my fears and struggles, He granted me the strength and Grace” says Gloria. “I also drew a lot of inspiration from established artistes, among them the late Angela Chibalonza, the Iconic Gospel legend”. She adds.

Gloria joined the worship team of Maranatha Faith Assemblies, where she was a member. It is then that Rolland Esese and the late Stanely Mtambo introduced her to live band music and walked her through the training.

Music career

Willy Paul with and Gloria at the Grooves

Gloria was interested in music from as far as 1997 when she was still in school but due to financial challenges she was not able to venture into the music industry. She however was able to join many singing group and even joined her church choir with the hope of gaining more confidence to help her earn a place in the Kenyan music industry, which she did upon releasing her first studio album entitled Omwami Aletsa.[7] The album was not as successful as she had expected which prompted her to start working on her next album Kibali which had the famous hit single "Sitolia" featuring Willy Paul.[8] In 2013 Gloria collaborated with Willy Paul once more for the song Kitanzi whose music video depicts the life of a young teenager who is almost giving up on life and who is contemplating suicide.Currently Gloria is, alongside other big names in the Kenyan music industry on tour of Kenya, a tour sponsored by Safaricom commonly referred to as Safaricom Live.The tour is aimed at not only promoting local Kenyan talent in music but also reaching out to many people in different counties so as to promote peace and unity in the country

Charity work

Apart from performing in Church and recording songs, Gloria Muliro has a hand at charity,she has established her own foundation, The Gloria Muliro Foundation, which she uses as a conduit to do charity work.The foundation currently runs a children's home in Emuhaya, one of the four constituencies in Vihiga, Western Kenya,"It caters for children who need help from the region, and span from children who have been orphaned to children whose parents are unable to offer sufficient support.[9]

Sitolia and Follow You

Gloria's song "Follow You" has been noted for its similarities with the song "I Will Follow" by Chris Tomlin.[10] Musician Willy Paul has complained that he wasn't making money from the song "Sitolia" because Omba owned the copyright.[11]

Public Life

Gloria first came into the limelight in 2005 when she recorded her first album ‘Omwami Aletsa’ (my God will surely come),which received massive airplay especially on local radio stations. She has three more abums to her name, and the 5th one coming soon.Several of her single tracks have hit airwaves in Kenya and beyond East Africa, among them Sitolia ,Follow you, Kando, Msaidizi, Matokeo, Kitanzi….and the most recent NdiyoYako (your Yes).Gloria has received great recognition and has won several awards and nominations in Kenya and Africa, as best female Artist.Currently,she is a Kora awards nominee 2016 in the category of inspirational music.Gloria, regardless of being a household name,is not keen on publicity stunts. She remains humble, gentle and approachable. In fact, her zeal and enthusiasm for the Gospel is extraordinary, Always emptying her heart when she ministers, no matter the location ,or size of the congregation, because “I know where I started-on the alter’ ’She says.

Discography

1ST Album- Mwami Aletsa : Tracks

  1. Omwami Aletsa (my God will surely come)
  2. Mwami Yangula (He bought me )
  3. Luliho Olwimbo (Theres a song)
  4. Khulwanda (on the rock)
  5. Mwami (Lord)
  6. Nzitsang Hambeli (I press on )
  7. Ndilonda Khunzira (I’ll follow the path)
  8. Abula Oundi (There’s none else)

2nd Album -SITOLIA :Tracks:

  1. Sitolia (I won’t Cry)
  2. Nakuhitaji (I need you)
  3. Neno (The Word)
  4. Jehova
  5. Kazi yako (Your work)
  6. Nani Kama Wewe (Who is like you)
  7. Maisha ( A marriage Song)
  8. Mambo yote (All things )
  9. MatsaiKaYesu (The blood of Jesus)

3rd Album- FOLLOW YOU : Tracks:

  1. Follow You
  2. Kando –Betrayal
  3. Yesu Iroma-All I have
  4. Tukuza – A Praise Song
  5. Bolela Yesu –Tell it to Jesus
  6. Kibali –Favour
  7. Ningweendete –I love you
  8. Papa Oshe _Thank You Lord
  9. Mbukanga – Am amazed

4th Album MSAIDIZI : Tracks:

  1. Msaidisi (Helper)
  2. Amini –Believe
  3. Anakupenda –He loves you
  4. Orio-Thank you
  5. Mungu ni Mungu (He is God)
  6. I pad
  7. Matokeo –Results
  8. Kitanzi

References

  1. 1 2 "Gloria Muliro". Daily Nation. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Gloria Muliro on the Charts". music chart info. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "Gloria Wins 6 Groove award Nominations". The Standard. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  4. ↑ "Uhuru at the grooves". The Standard. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Erick Omba". The Standard. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "Gloria's Story". Westfm.co.ke. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Omwami Aletsa on iTunes". iTunes. 20 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "Sitolia". music chart info. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  9. ↑ "Gloria Ventures into charity". K24 news. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  10. ↑ "plagiarism". Ghafla Kenya. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  11. ↑ "beef over sitolia". The standard. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
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