Willy Paul

Wilson Abubakar Radido is an award-winning Kenyan artist and songwriter from Nairobi. He is the chief executive officer and founder of Saldido international entertainment.[1]

Willy Paul
Paul (right) with Bob Collymore at the 2013 Groove Awards
Born
Wilson Abubakar Radido

(1993-09-01) 1 September 1993
Kasarani, Kenya
Other names
  • Willy
  • Abu
  • Willy Paul Msafi
  • Willy Pozze
OccupationMusician
Years active2010–present
Parent(s)
  • Paul Radido
Awards
  • Groove Award for Male Artist of the year
  • Groove Award Artist of the year(2012
  • Afrima Awards )
Musical career
Genres
  • Secular Music
  • pop
  • soul
InstrumentsVocals
Associated actsGloria Muliro Sauti Sol
Websitewww.willypaulmsafi.com

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 "I do" featuring Alaine from Jamaica, " Njiwa" featuring Nandy from Tanzania, "Hallelujah" featuring Nandy, "Sikireti" featuring Cecil from Jamaica, "Nobody" featuring Yemi Alade from Nigeria, "Mmmh" featuring @rayvanny from Tanzania, "Jigi Jigi, Kanungo, Malingo", and "You Never Know" which earned him recognition and a US tour.[3]

He first gained recognition after recording the song "Sitolia" with Muliro which was an object of controversy after several claims by Willy that he was not earning much from the song because Muliro allegedly owned exclusive copyrights to the song.[4] They ironed out their differences and recorded another hit song, "Kitanzi".[5]In 2012, he was nominated for the Kisima Music Awards' Male Artist of the Year.

Early life

Wilson Shikwekwe Radido was born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Radido in September 1993 in Mathare slums. His father, who was of Ugandan descent, was a carpenter, while his wife, an immigrant from Tanzania, was a hairdresser until 2011, when a chronic illness confined her to her bed. Paul dropped out of school in 2011 due to financial constraints following his father's death. He took Juakali jobs to generate income to support his mother and his three siblings.[1]

Career

His first hit was "Rabuka". His major breakthrough came in 2010. He later co-authored his first single "Sitolia" with Muliro, which was a reflection of his life history, depicting his struggles and giving himself a renewed hope that God had brought him to the limelight. His first album, You never know launched on 5 December 2013 in a ceremony at KICC, graced by Daddy Owen, Ben Githae, Gloria Muliro, DK Kwenye Beat, Ben Bahati, Bahati, Men Of God (MOG), Size 8, Mr Seed, Shiru Wa GP, Betty Bayo, Danny Gift, DJ Sadic and DJ Mo.[6] The album included, "You never know", "Lala Salama", "Mpenzi" and "Kitanzi".

Paul announced that he would tour the US to perform in churches in 12 states. The tour was organised by Talanta Awards and was to begin on 8 March to April 2014. The tour however began 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, Texas, 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] Paul encountered controversy after his rival musician in the gospel industry, Bahati, accused him of stealing a song. Bahati's fans served Paul with harsh criticism over social media. This ended during the 10th annual Groove Awards Nominations on Wednesday 22 April 2015 at the Nairobi Arboretum grounds. They were asked to reconcile and were prayed for shortly in the event.

Paul beat Bahati with his "Tam Tam" song featuring Size 8 and managed to scoop 2 Mdundo Awards; Most Downloaded Gospel Artist and Most Downloaded Male Single.[7] He scooped four nominations for the awards with "Tam Tam", a collaboration with Size 8 released in 2014 granting him Collabo of the Year, Video of the Year, Song of the year and Male Artist of the Year.

The 10th annual Groove Awards on Saturday 6 June 2015 saw Willy Paul go home with no award, losing to Bahati, who won four awards.

He collaborated with one of the best hip-hop artists in Africa, Khaligraph Jones on "Bora uhai". Following “I Do” with Alaine, they married.

Chart performance

Despite constant criticism, with accusations of secularism emerging from various quarters,[8] Willy Paul's songs have continued to chart, mainly because of his strong appeal to a loyal youthful fan base. "Jigi Jigi" peaked at number one in all major charts in Kenya, including Mdundo Weekly Top 100, the Top 40 Singles Chart, and the Local Top 20 Hits on Music Charts Ke.

Philanthropy

Willy Paul set up a foundation in Kenya to help needy people in the area. He helped children to get access to basic education and healthcare.[9]

Discography
Year Title
2019 mmmh" ft Rayvanny
"Hallelujah" ft Nandy
2018 Valary tribute song
Kanungo
Sikireti ft Ce'cile
Nisamehe
Bora Uhai
"Imani"
Njiwa
2012 Sitolia
Mpenzi
2013 You Never Know
Lala Salama
Missi
2014 Kitanzi
Tam Tam
Mamangu
2015 Vigelegele
Mapenzi
2016 "Take it Slow"
"Fanya"
"Tiga wana"
2017 I do ft Alaine

References
  1. Boniface Mwalii (17 November 2012). "Willy Paul Biography". Daily Nation. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  2. "Willy Paul Wins Groove Award". The Standard. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  3. Sylvania Ambani (18 January 2014). "Willy Paul To tour the USA". The Grooves. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  4. "beef over sitolia". The Standard. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  5. "Gloria and Willy Release New Song". Mdundo. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  6. Elly Gitau (5 December 2013). "Willy Paul Album Launch". The Star.
  7. "Exclusive: The Complete Winners List, Mdundo Awards 2015". 16 July 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  8. Richard Kamau (21 September 2017). "'Jigi Jigi' the worst I've heard from Willy Paul, says Ringtone". The Star, Kenya. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  9. Ndegwa Maina (20 June 2014). "People's Favorite Willy Paul Gives Back to Society". Nairobi wire. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
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