Silas Mwenda: First Kenyan Gospel Artist Signed by Ogopa Deejays Shares Journey to Fame in US
- Kenyan gospel artiste Silas Mwenda has built a name for himself in the United States, but the journey there was not easy
- In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, he opened up about the bold move that changed everything when Ogopa Deejays' co-founder took a chance on him
- He recounted how that leap of faith paid off, landing him a prestigious music award and now, opening doors into acting and commercial modelling
Kenyan gospel singer Silas Mwenda has opened up on his inspiring journey to fame as a musician in the United States.
Source: Instagram
Mwenda etched his name in Kenya's music history as the first-ever gospel artiste to be signed by the iconic Ogopa Deejays, a label known for shaping the careers of some of the biggest secular stars in East Africa.
How did Silas Mwenda become a gospel singer?
In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, Mwenda recounted how his journey began while he was still a student.
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Mwenda recalled being driven by his passion for music, often heading to Ogopa Studios in South B straight after school in search of a breakthrough.
One day, he found himself outside the studio alongside icon Nameless, Wahu, and Mustafa, who were some of the biggest names in the Kenyan music scene at the time.
Despite being a stranger, they were warm and encouraging, even offering him advice.
He recalled how, shortly after, he met two men, one of whom turned out to be Lucas Bikedo, co-founder of Ogopa Deejays, and that marked the breakthrough of his career.
After Silas shared his story, Lucas asked him to sing a demo on the spot.
Lucas was so impressed by his voice and potential that he offered Mwenda a five-year recording deal, making him the first gospel artiste ever signed by the label, which was famed for promoting secular acts.
“Lucas looked at me and said, ‘Good voice, Silas. You also seem very marketable… I believe in you.’ I was amazed," he recalled.
He went on to describe Lucas as a genius producer with unmatched skill, who could turn even the weakest song into a hit.
According to Mwenda, Lucas had a huge impact on the industry and instilled a culture of excellence that made Ogopa a household name.
Mwenda’s debut single, Nakuhitaji, was initially set to feature in the Ogopa 2 compilation but was later pulled out to allow him to focus on a full album.
Source: UGC
What does Silas Mwenda do in the US?
Though the process took almost three years, the song became a success, earning him his first-ever nomination at the Talanta Awards in the US.
Mwenda was invited to the award ceremony in Seattle and won in the Best Upcoming Artiste (Non-US Based) category.
“It was unbelievable. A dawn of a new season indeed,” he said.
Mwenda is now permanently based in the US and has expanded his career beyond music.
He is signed as an actor and commercial model under Wilhelmina USA and currently serves as a brand ambassador for Canadian fashion line Duer and Immersive Game Box USA.
“Always grateful for the journey,” he concluded.
See the post below:
Was Silas Mwenda at the Grammys?
Mwenda earlier told TUKO.co.ke about his unforgettable experience at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
He described the thrill of receiving a surprise invitation and finding himself in the VIP section, surrounded by music giants like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar.
Mwenda called it a life-changing moment that marked a major turning point in his journey as an artiste.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
