Bahati opens up on past relationship with Willy Paul: "Nilikuwa mtu wa mkono"

Musician and businessman Kevin Bahati has opened up about his humble beginnings, sharing untold stories about his early struggles and key figures who helped shape his music career.

Speaking during an appearance on the Mic Cheque Podcast, Bahati revealed that before fame and fortune, he spent nights crashing at friends’ places while chasing his dreams.

He recalled living with celebrated video producer J Blessing at a studio where he learned vital skills.

“J Blessing alikuwa anakaa na mimi kwa studio akiedit. Alikuwa ameamini hakuna mtu mwingine anaweza pata hii skill ispokuwa mimi,”

He also shared how he worked under the wings of fellow musician Willy Paul.

“Mi nilikuwa mtu wa mkono wa Willy Paul. Nilikuwa nachukua ngoma ya Sitolia napeleka station ikachezwe,”  Bahati said, adding that Willy Paul even gave him fare to deliver songs and later to try his luck at Ogopa Deejays.

After grasping the basics of the music industry, Bahati returned to Mathare and set out to find new opportunities.

Determined to make it, he trekked to the offices of Standard Media Group, hoping to meet Charles Otieno, the founder of the Nairobian newspaper.

"I would be turned down every time since he was busy," Bahati recalled.

Frustrated but undeterred, Bahati camped outside Otieno’s home. His persistence paid off when he finally got a chance to perform for him.

"When I did, he immediately called RKay Mwanabuja and asked him to support me," Bahati shared.

They went into the studio and recorded a song, though he had to wait six months before he received it.

When the opportunity to shoot a music video came, Bahati borrowed a pair of jeans from fellow artiste HopeKid and paired them with a bright yellow branded T-shirt.

That song, Mama, became his breakthrough hit, catapulting him into the limelight.

Bahati was later nominated for the Groove Awards' New Artist of the Year in 2013, marking the beginning of his rise in the Kenyan music industry.

Since then, Bahati has gone on to become a household name in the Kenyan music scene.

In 2014, he won the prestigious Male Artist of the Year award, a milestone that cemented his place in the industry. The following year, 2015, he dominated the Groove Awards by winning four awards: Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for his hit Barua, Video of the Year also for Barua, and Most Downloaded Skiza Tune.

He would later spread his influence from gospel to secular music, founding his label EMB Records and venturing into politics.

In 2022, Bahati vied for the Mathare parliamentary seat, in what he termed as his ambition to serve and give back to the community that raised him. He, however, lost his bid.

Perhaps what would not go without mention is Bahati’s relationship with Diana Marua, with whom he has three kids: Heaven, Majesty, and Malaika. The family also takes care of Mueni, Bahati’s firstborn daughter, and Morgan, whom they adopted from a children’s home where Bahati was raised.