Onkorbs: Gospel cover artiste making his mark on TikTok

George Onkoba a.k.a. Onkorbs has traded a conventional career path for music, using gospel covers, original songs and intimate acoustic sessions to connect with audiences online.

We know you as an artiste, mostly doing Christian cover songs and being very big on TikTok. Other than that, who is Onkoba?

Onkoba is just a guy trying to make sense of life, just like most Kenyans, but music seems to be the thing that makes sense right now. I am still figuring things out, learning, making mistakes and trying again. I don't have everything figured out, but music has given me a place to be honest about the journey.

Where and what did you study at university/college?

I went to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where I studied Business Information Technology.

Favourite/worst unit while on campus?

Do I really remember that? Maybe the worst was Financial Accounting. The best was Fundamentals of Systems or Computer Systems.

Best and least favourite lecturer?

My favourite was Miss Kaluvu. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of my least favourite, but he used to threaten us a lot.

How was campus life generally?

It was really cool. It was where my faith and music were shaped. I had freedom and I think I used it well. I went on church missions, joined singing groups, made long-term friends and got to learn more about myself. Looking back, campus gave me space to experiment and grow. Some of the friendships I made there are still part of my life.

How did you make money while on campus?

I taught guys how to play the guitar for Sh200 a session. The hustle did not really pick up, but it helped me when I was broke.

How was dating on campus?

Well, yes, I dated while on campus and I think it was fun. I learnt so much about myself through my campus dating experience.

What do you think of campus relationships?

I think they are some of the purest forms of love. The expectations are minimal and the intentions are mostly pure.

Where did you hang out on weekends?

Being a Seventh-day Adventist, I spent most of my weekends in church, Saturday, that is, while Sundays were mostly for music practice and hanging out with my friends. We had many, many game nights.

What did you do with your free time?

Music! Music! Music! And game nights. I was obsessed with music and kept listening and practising. During my campus years, I was a deep a cappella fan. I think I listened to more than 100 albums.

I love how just the human voice can carry so much emotion in music without the need for an instrument. I am still a big a cappella fan, but over the years I have grown to appreciate instrumental music as well. I could spend hours discovering groups, studying harmonies and understanding how voices fit together. It influenced the way I hear music.

Classmates you will never forget?

Never is a strong word. But I will never forget my class representative. Her name is Mercy.

Are you currently doing what you studied at university?

No. I changed careers three years after graduating. This was during Covid-19, when I ventured into graphic design and front-end web development.

Talk to us about how you got into music.

I was introduced to music by my dad when I was young, but I seriously took it up in Form Three when I joined the choir. That changed my life. Music has changed my life, and I hope I have changed someone else's. What began as a hobby gradually became part of my identity. Even when I pursued other careers, music kept finding its way back to me.

How has the industry treated you, and what challenges have you faced?

It has not been easy, especially as an Adventist. Gigs are hard to come by, particularly because I focus solely on gospel music, and the industry does not always favour us. I would love more support from Christians through opportunities to perform gospel music. It can be discouraging watching other artists get opportunities more easily, but I believe there is a place for gospel music. I would rather build something that reflects my beliefs than compromise.

Why are you big on covers? Also, tell us a bit about your creative process when composing a song.

I grew up listening to most of the songs I cover. So, maybe I'd say I love interpreting songs in the way I hear them. My songwriting process differs from time to time. Sometimes I can write a song in five minutes; sometimes it takes me weeks or months, depending on the inspiration. Sometimes jamming works, sometimes it doesn't. So, it's trial and error, I guess.

Tell us about being a guitarist.

I don't really consider myself a guitarist because I believe my guitar skills are very basic. However, I have played it since I was a child, so I have developed some ways of making people think I am really good at it. I consider myself more of a vocalist.

Who are some of the musicians you would like to work with?

Billy Black, Brian Gache, Kambua, Moji and Kinoti.

What next for Onkorbs? What should people expect from you?

I am currently working on another EP, which should be out in a month or so. I also have an acoustic series, Onkorbs Live and Unplugged!, which I have been running for two years. So far, I have held six sessions, each featuring an intimate crowd of 20 to 50 people where I share my music, story and mindset. Unplugged Seven is coming up in October. These sessions have become more than performances; they are opportunities to connect with people and make them feel understood through music and storytelling.

A word of encouragement or caution to a young, upcoming musician?

Try as much as possible to be yourself and perfect your skill. Listen to a lot of music and learn how to compose and write your own songs.

One last thing you would tell your campus self?

You can do it, George. You can do it!