Singing a song of praiser

By REBECCA GICHANA

Roy Juma is a Nairobi based gospel artiste who is popularly known for his hit song Nashangaa. He recorded his first single in 2006 and since then has released three albums.

Currently, he works with Diversity Dancers comprising of youths in high school and Digital Dancers in

Roy Juma, Nairobi based gospel artiste popularly known for his hit song Nashangaa [Photo: Standard]

South B made up of children. Apart from music, Juma is a dance choreographer, a modelling trainer and an emcee. He is popularly known by his ‘Tell me Again’ song from his album ‘A friend and a brother in Christ’.

His advise: We should let children come to God to receive what he has in store for them. Children be obedient always and use your talents to serve God. He answered questions from pupils of Nairobi South Primary School.

Samwel Gikiri, 12 years old, Standard Six.

When did you start singing and what inspired you to sing the song Nashangaa?

Juma: I started singing when I was in form three back in 2005 at Crescent High School.I saw people’s suffering in society and I wanted to highlight about these social issues and religion through music. I wanted the youth in Mukuru Slums to engage more in God’s work to evade idleness, which leads them to crime, drug abuse and prostitution.

Nashangaa came out when I realised that people were so much in need of blessings, healing, protection, good health, but they lacked the knowledge of the provider (God).This is the reason that inspired me to challenge people to know God first before making requests.

John Kimanzi, ten years old, Standard Four.

How were you able to compose your songs? What else do you do apart from music?

Juma: It is a talent, a gift and hence composing songs comes naturally and easy for me. I base my message on sermons, life experience and from the bible. I’m a student at East African Media Institute studying broadcast journalism. I’m a dance choreographer working with Diversity and Digital dancers from Mukuru Kayaba slums, an emcee and modelling trainer.

Kelvin Mbithi, ten years old, Standard Five.

What made you choose music as a career? How does music reach and change people?

Juma: I did not choose to do music. It is a calling and a gift from God. Music is in me and it keeps me going. Teaching through music is a direct communication and receives a large audience. Therefore, I write to praise the name of the Lord, educate and inform.

Dennis Muturi, ten years old, Standard Four.

Who would you like to work with in the gospel music industry and why? Do you think our TV stations air more Christian related programmes?

Juma: I would like to work with Dunco, Glora Muliro and Ilagosa wa Ilagosa. I find these artists encouraging and their songs are great with inspiring massages that can lift you up when you are down. In my opinion, TV stations are trying to air programmes on Sundays to empower citizens with God’s word.