Pitching gospel music high

Award-winning Mombasa-based songstress Marion Shako talks to CAROLINE NYANGA about her life, music, challenges and successes in gospel music

Who is Marion Shako?

Apart from being a celebrated gospel musician with many awards, away from the music glare, I am a simple, down-to-earth and God-fearing person who loves to socialise. I have continually

Award-winning Mombasa-based songstress Marion Shako [Photo/Standard]

Music has always been a big part of me ever since I was a child.

In the evenings after a heavy day, my mother, who passed away in 1993, would sit with my two sisters and I and teach us hymns. With time the seed planted in my heart as a young child has continued to grow.

Back in school I was an active participant in musical excursions. For example, while in high school I participated in theatre groups and music festivals and featured prominently as a soloist in the various performances.

Why do you sing gospel music?

Although initially I sang for the love of it, when I gave my life to Christ in 1998, and I later joined Jesus Celebration Centre in Mombasa, I got an opportunity to serve as part of the worship team. I also became part of the ministry team for Faith Evangelistic Ministry’s monthly meetings in Mombasa.

Although I wanted to pursue music as a career, I did not have the opportunity to do so. As a result I concentrated on my job in business management. It was not until 2007 that I felt the time had come to do something about my love for music.

So How has been your musical journey?

My immense passion for music saw me record my debut album, Msaada Wangu with songs revolving around the stories of my life and the Scriptures.

The years 2004 to 2007 were some of the most difficult moments in my life and inspired, I embarked on writing the song Ahadi Zake that is in my first album. The following year, the album won Worship Album of the Year at Groove Awards and Ahadi Zake earned me Songwriter of the Year trophy. Msaada Wangu was released in 2007.

I have since recorded two other albums, Inuka Bwana, 2008 and Shukrani, 2010.

On top of this the song Jina la Yesu from the album Inuka Bwana bagged the Worship Song of the Year, 2009, again at the Groove Awards followed by the Yahweh ni Mungu, for Pwani Song of the Year in 2010, and this year, the song Adonai from the album Shukrani also took home the Pwani trophy.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am busy working on my fourth album after eleven years in the ministry. I feel that it’s time to take the show a notch higher in order to minister to many in Mombasa. Though Mombasa County passes as a Muslim stronghold, I think Christians are actually the majority, although there is no denying that the gospel music scene in Mombasa is yet to pick up as it has in Nairobi.

Some of the challenges you have faced?

Lack of finances was a major issue. At some point I was forced to clear out my entire savings but still fell short. But God promised me that my songs would change my life and those of others for the better, and so I held on. Although it was not easy, God saw me through.

Also, making countless trips to Nairobi over the weekends to do my recording was taxing.

Finding the right producer to work with was another major problem, but after sometime I settled on Abedi Ngoso, who ended up hemming the whole record by mid-2007.

But even after this, not much success was coming my way until when, on a visit to the Coast, Hope FM crew heard me sing Ahadi Zake at a church function and insisted on taking my album for airplay. That opened the doors for me and was in a way a just reward for my resilience and determination.

What makes you stand out?

The beautiful vocals and emotional connection with which I communicate with the audience have endeared me to them. My songs are also inspired by the word of God and life experiences.

My role model is renowned American gospel artiste CeCe Winans known for her powerful worship songs.

I have just launched a non-profit ministry called Heart of Worship that hosts bi-monthly night vigil praise and worship sessions in Mombasa led by my 21-member band and I.

The greatest moments of your career?

Winning the Groove Awards four years consecutively, shining at the Talanta Awards 2009 and being nominated at the Kisima Awards 2008 and 2009.

I was also the Gospel Female Artist of the Year at the Coast Music Awards 2008, and I got the Judah Trophy of the Year at the Impact Awards 2008.

Tell us about your childhood?

Born to Aggrey and the late Sylvia Shako, I was the last born in a family of five and so my parents kind of pampered me. But besides this, my mother strived to bring us up as staunch Christians.

Your advice to upcoming artists?

It’s all about patience and waiting on God for your talents to be manifested. There’s a need to have songs that will build, educate, inform and motivate your target group to act and live positively.