Jassy Mteule's bumpy journey, hawking CDs in Busia, to fame

Jassy Mteule 

As an upcoming gospel musician, JUSTUS ESAKOL OMANYALA aka JASSY MTEULE has been through thick and thin. At some point, he could hawk his music CDs from the Malaba to the Busia border just to make a living. 

Briefly tell us about your background

I was born and raised in Busia County’s Simbachai/Kamolo village. I am married to one beautiful wife and I am a Teso by tribe.

How did your music journey start?

I started my music journey way back in 2013 while in high school. It was so difficult for me since I had no money to go to a studio. So after high school, I briefly worked as a primary school teacher and from there I was able to raise some money to pay for my first audio song, which is titled Kidogo Kidogo.

This was one of my greatest songs that paved my music career. However, at first, it was really so tough for me just a boy from the village, with no connection to any radio station, no sponsor, and also no experience in marketing music.

But despite all the challenges, I did not give up. I used to hawk my CDs from Malaba town to Busia town. On a good day, I could make between Sh200 and Sh300.

Any unique experience in your life or career?

Yes. There was a day I met a customer who, after marketing my CDs to her, told me to first perform live to prove I was the composer. However, even after performing to her request, she still told me to my face: “You have an ugly voice you don’t know how to sing. I better listen to a frog.”  This incident left me utterly discouraged, but I did not give up.

You went on to record more songs and become successful. Tell us more, and the successes so far!

So far, I have recorded more than 30 gospel songs. Among these, I have popular ones which include Edeke Lo, Naishi kwa Bill Ya Yesu, Washangae, Kidogo Kidogo, Master Plan, Ejokuna Edeke, Umenitoa Mbali, and My Mama. But the greatest and best-performing songs so far are Edeke Lo and Naishi kwa Bill ya Yesu. These songs have received massive airplay that even led me to win the Busia County Gospel Artist of the Year Award in 2023.

Through music, I have ever crossed the border to Arusha, Tanzania for related events. Were it not for music, I could not have reached there and this is just a sign of great things ahead. I see myself one day even flying to Europe to go preach the gospel of Christ.

You have also met with other great artists in the industry. Any names?

I have interacted with popular gospel artists in Kenya. These include Eko Dydda and many others. In fact, Eko Dydda and I are very close. He was the guest artist when I did my first audio album in 2015. He came all the way from Nairobi to Malaba. The other popular artists I have interacted with are Guardian Angel, Moji Shot Baba, Gloria Muliro and Anastacia Mukabwa. For most of these artists, we have met on different platforms and we are good friends.

Any memorable experience in your music journey?

There is this day I was given a platform alongside other great musicians at a crusade event in Riruta Stadium. The venue was not only full of white people but it was also packed to capacity. It was a great and memorable experience seeing the audience vibing to my songs.  This really humbled and motivated me.

Any major challenge in your music career?

Even though music has ups and downs, I mostly choose to see the positive side of it. For instance, I did not expect to reach the level I am at currently. It is all about trusting the process. Music pays but it requires a lot of input, resources and capital, right from audio to videos and marketing.

I thank God for the little I get from music. My advice to those who are venturing out in music, however, is that one should not rely on music wholly, but get something else to do on the side. Personally, I am doing a side job which helps me to balance my career since it pays my daily bills.

Your parting shot?

I believe that by trusting the process, I will one day hit the top, by God’s grace.