Janet Otieno is a gospel star known for her gospel-rich music content that is evident in a number of singles she has released in the recent past among them ‘Heshima’ that won her a Mwafaka award last year.
Background
Janet Otieno was born in Kisumu, Kenya, the second oldest of six siblings. She was raised in a Christian home which became the foundation of her musical journey. Her religious upbringing made her realize the passion she had to serve God through music.
My parents were staunch Christians, from an early age they made sure that I never missed any church service, they were always teaching me the importance of religion and God in our lives.
This religious background influenced her to join the church choir, where more often than not she was the lead Singer. She would guide the congregation through powerful praise and worship sessions with her magnificent voice. It is then that she discovered her passion for music.
I remember being in the church choir and I loved it. I was happy to use my voice to spread the word of God. There is no church service that can go on without music, and this is when I realized how much I love singing.
Janet would often retreat to the solitude of her home and there she would write her own songs. With her religious upbringing and knowledge of the word of God, Janet was able to write down powerful songs that speak to people’s hearts. She discovered that God had not only blessed her with a voice but also with the skills to write songs. She knew that God was calling her for a purpose, and it was a purpose she was determined to fulfill.
Music Career
On May 2013, God brought Janet and Christina Shusho, a renowned Gospel artist from Tanzania, together. In collaboration they recorded “Napokea Kwako” which became a major hit in Eastern Africa. This became Janet’s launching pad in the Gospel industry.
Meeting Christina and we doing a song together was all God’s doing. I thank God for the success of “Napokea Kwako”. It was all part of His divine plan
Later Janet proceeded as a solo artist and did other songs to mention but a few, Uniongoze, Ni Wewe, and Mtafute. These are songs whose messages have inspired many and they continue to elevate Christians from all walks of life.
After doing Napokea Kwako, I decided to continue as a solo artist. I knew I had just begun and God was expecting me to do more.
With her unwavering faith and determination to serve God, Janet released yet another hit “Heshima”. A song dedicated to all mothers. She felt the need to appreciate all the mothers for the sacrifices they make in our families. Heshima became yet another hit that made Janet Otieno stand out. The song got a good reception from the public and it is among the most played songs in Kenya.
Mothers are very important, and they deserve all our love, care, respect and support. Being a mother and understanding the challenges of motherhood, I felt the need to appreciate mothers, especially those who are raising children on their own, single mothers and widows. That is how Heshima came to light.
The success of Heshima was not the end of her music journey. She later recorded Tembea nami a song about asking God to walk with us and not leave us alone. It became a house hold song so much so you could even hear little children singing and dancing to it. When asked during an interview why she decided to record Tembea Nami she gave a heartwarming response.
Every day we need God’s guidance in our lives. There’s nothing we can do without His help. If we do not have God, then we are lost. Tembea Nami is just about asking God to hold our hands and not leave us alone.
With every passing day her ministry kept growing. She continued to use her voice for God’s purpose. In order to continue her ministry she knew she needed guidance from above. The challenges that came in the Gospel industry required her to be stronger than ever. This gave birth to “Roho Wako”. In the song Janet is praying to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
There are so many challenges that come with my ministry and other aspects of life. Roho Wako basically is a prayer for God’s guidance and help. I knew there are so many people who are also going through some things and they needed God’s guidance. I wrote Roho Wako to reach out to them and assure them of God’s presence in their lives.
Janet Otieno
With a huge fan base and growing demand for new music, September this year saw Janet releasing yet another hit “Nisamehe” in collaboration with Rigan Sarkozi. The song whose theme is forgiveness has captured the minds and hearts of many people, who after listening to the song, got motivated to let go of their past and make a clean break.
As human beings we are bound to make mistakes. We are bound to hurt each other. The most important thing is to realize when we have done wrong and apologize for it. We should also be able to accept an apology, that’s the Christian way of life. To forgive just like our father in heaven forgives us.
Janet Otieno Songs
- Napokea Kwako
- Msalaba
- Mungu Baba
- Unioongoze
- Nafsi Yangu
- Nirehemu
- Twendeni
- Natamani
- Haleluyia
Awards
Through the success of her songs, she has received various nominations and won various accolades.
- She got nominations for Groove Awards Female Artist of the Year 2014 and 2015;
- she also got nominated for Groove Awards Collabo of The year and Song of the Year categories in 2014.
- Her other Nomination was as Groove Awards Collabo of the Year and Song of The Year categories in 2015.
- In 2014 she won Mwafaka Awards Collabo of the Year with Napokea Kwako.
- The same year she won Xtreeme Awards, Female Artist of the Year.
- Later this year she won, Mwafaka Awards Female Artist of the Year.
Janet Otieno Facebook and Twitter
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