Octopizzo’s presence at Groove Awards 2015 was a surprise to most of the revelers who had graced the event. His speech was even moving to say the least as he talked about his life as a christian and how GOD has played a major role in his life as a secular artiste.
Octopizzo states that he was really surprised to have been called to perform at a church looking at his passion and interest was different. He goes further to share how he played a role in the construction of Nairobi Chapel church which is based in Ngong Road.
Octopizzo was named by Mo Sound LTD as one of the guests who would aid in awarding the list of winners at the coveted groove awards. With groove awards being seen as a christian event a number of Christians were left surprised by the move while others being inspired by the move of bringing a secular artiste closer to the light.
Probaly Octopizzo would have thought of his decision to get born again but at the same time its an entertainment event so little impact would the platform have on his walk as a christian.
Octopizzo on his part did his job at Groove as he was able to award Kris Eeh Baba as the hip-hop artiste of the year and at the same time rebuked artistes who sing for their own interests and not for GOD’s interest. His speech was profound in the setting where the gospel industry is fighting over what is content and what is not but not everyone was for it. “Octo should not have been part of Groove Awards”, the ones against it said.
Kris Eeh Baba speaking after being awarded by Octopizzo
Kalekye MumoSo true… People here are judging based on nothing. That so-called secular artist could have been so blessed by attending the event that he is currently changing his life. Just because I don’t have the calling to spread the gospel like a Christian musician doesnt mean I cant sing and praise God or be among people who do. Jesus walked among the theives, murderers and tax collectors that they may know him and become saved. Only God can judge. As for those claiming clothes make a Christian… you have a lot to learn. Even God has swagg
Joash McOpiyovery sad. a secular musician presenting an award to a gospel musician? there cannot be a competition between gospel and secular. the other day i was disapointed with adawnage the band on the#trend when they agreed to back nyota ndogo as she sings. this was crazy. lets know who we are in christ jesus
Princess Maa2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? Someone answer that please.my second verse is 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (some people are already deceived are u one of them?).my third verse is 2 John 1:9-11
Kenn Eddy KreziI guess you are just bitter bro.The Main essence of the GOSPEL is LOVE.Ask yourself what Jesus would do If He was groove awards and Octopizzo wanted to appreciate!!? Would he go to Facebook and say this? Just because Octopizzo to you is a sinner doesn’t make you any holy.He is still God’s child and a sinner,and so is me and you. Again I repeat the gospel is about LOVE.
Kagendo NjiruLydia Ndwiga maybe he and many other’s don’t know where mosound offices are located I presume. This conversation reminds me of the sinful woman annointing the feet of Jesus with perfume. ..and a similar conversation began round that table…no wonder the story is in the Bible..Religion and rules set by men to please their flesh, same old story. ..Christ came to save the lost. if you ain’t one of them then He did not come for you.
Ćiirú KaranjaEverybody saying different things but didn’t Jesus also mingle with Tax Collectors,people who didn’t believe in the kingdom.We are no better than the people of the World.And who came up with this Secular and Gospel divide.There’s someone in that Secular world as you put it who lives an exemplary life than most of you who are commenting.Before judging look into your life first Now you can throw those stones at me
Deejay KagzI don’t ever rememba an year Groove awards ended with out queries…Their is something fundamentally wrong with this awards and i agree with both of you to some level but allow me to speak also as a pioneer in the gospel industry…It is time we stopped covering personal ideologies and thinking’s behind the word of God.I Do not believe in alot of the rules for groove awards i find them judgmental and who are we to judge??
Secondly this event started out with a great cause to honor excellence in the Gospel industry but now it looks to me like its there to honor the needs of its sponsors lets impress the sponsors and build a platform for ratings and money streams via mobile tune downloads ad country wide sold out concerts…What happened to the days when ministry was a thirst for God and the Holyspirit but not a show of glitz and glamor.
OK we are to reach out to the lost i agree that was Jesus’s main ministry on earth but if it is not about the ratings and money pullers for the sponsor what business really did Octopizzo have at the awards?what message were we pushing that youth of the world aspire to be like him?
Shish L C WanjiruI don kno why pple lyk to justify sin by sayin u r judgin or u who is pointin it out is not holy…..who is a believer? Someone who has accepted he is a sinner and acknowledged Christ as th deliverer n saviour. A non believer is th opposite. Let me ask a question….if say a free mason said they want to come appreciate gospel music at groove wud they hav been welcome?
Ndela LaduMake me understand how sharing an alter for God with a sinner is love again? Christ went to their houses he didn’t invite them to stand and speak in the synagogue.
Joyce Mwah-ngeeLet’s extend grace to others in the same level Jesus Christ extended to us
Nettie OyugiWhat pains me is that people in the secular industry can boldly stand and ‘advise’ gospel artists to focus on God in their songs…even they know that some of those gospel songs are wanting..it seems to me the secular artists already know the truth, perhaps better than gospel artists…no? Ian Mbugua put it rightly..’decrease that God may increase’..Octo said more or less the same thing? So who is evangelizing who?
Hip-hop artiste Octopizzo was a major topic of discussion on Monday morning after he was given a chance to award the Groove Awards hip-hop award to the best gospel artiste in that category.
Probably this was a way of reaching out to him as a secular artiste but this did not go well by a section of Christians who felt that the move was a bit too far.
From Lenah Ochieng who was part of Zaidi ya Mziki to Mr Tee who has been known for speaking his mind, the opinions raised were more of questioning the actions of Groove Awards in letting a secular artiste take the role of awarding a gospel artiste in a setting that is termed christian and holy.
Mr Tee stated :
What’s your take when gospel awards are dominated by secular artists… Some help me understand
When scripture is quoted and affirmed all u say is amen…..and no one is fighting mo sound or groove it’s protecting what we fought for and building gospel ministry….trace the history of gospel music from content to passion n u will see how fallen it is….if u came the other day we understand u
While Mr Tee just put it so open Lenah of Zaidi Ya Mziki went straight and hit the nail on the head by saying :
Groove Awards have done it again not nominating some deserving gospel artists on the basis that they have “messed” yet on the same stage they give octopizzo a chance to present an award for gospel artists what irony is this?Really?? are you kidding me?The worst part of it is that if you address such issues they say you are judging them.
There isn’t anyone judging you;but when what you believe and what you do dont match up then ubhave simply judged yourself.
The comments that came in were kind of divided with others supporting Octopizzo and groove awards while others totally disagreeing with the choice of him as a guest.
Vickie Zet Victor i was wondering too, where did the sense of worship and praise go… Kenyans we have to go back to the drawing board, you mean we adore mothers songs than HOLY,HOLY IS YOUR NAME… AM MISSING MUNGU YU MWEMA DAYS…
Prosperity Fay Wa Mbuguah It surprises me too, gone are the days when gospel was respected n done only by trully born again Christians, people have shamelessly turned gospel music into a money making project without the fear of God in them.
Samuel Nyala Infact the organisers/arent serious/or its that they dont understand the true meaning of gospel?/WOKOVU FIJE FIJE/THAT ALL THEY R/i guess
MC NebI think Jesus would be more than happy to see that we are examples, that doesn’t rule out there are weeds amongst the Gospel Ministers. Another thing lest we forget God can use any vessel to put across a message, for instance Octopizzo of all the people Rebuked Gospel Artists. oooh and let’s focus on building the kingdom, one body many parts
Said Abdulrehman Cidcocan we read the word. You are salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? nuvine otieno otieno and lenah ochieng the taste is not there coz is not about my LORD JESUS anymore is about being in the limelight and not being the light to world
Njesh Wa QabbzRead all these comments…let me just say this…it is easy to say things and point fingers when you ain’t a part of it…there is so much that entails for the awards..there is a criteria for being nominated eg u have to submit your song and not every artist submits..Lenah Ochieng the hosts of Groove are a call away incase of anything..but unless you are wearing a shoe you don’t know where it pinches…Octo said something profound..that gospel artists should write songs that will make people follow Christ and not get fans…so lets all carry out crosses…God is love.
Nettie OyugiWhat pains me is that people in the secular industry can boldly stand and ‘advise’ gospel artists to focus on God in their songs…even they know that some of those gospel songs are wanting..it seems to me the secular artists already know the truth, perhaps better than gospel artists…no? Ian Mbugua put it rightly..’decrease that God may increase’..Octo said more or less the same thing? So who is evangelizing who?
Bahati’s influence has not only have grown in the gospel circles in Nairobi but his music has cut across all ages in Kenya and around East Africa. Celebrated singer Octopizzo “Namba Nane” gave a huge shout out to Bahati early this week for his heart of ministry and supporting those who are in need.
The year 2014 has been a year of great favor for Bahati as in this period he has scooped several awards in Kenya and in the African continent as a whole. Octopizzo is one of those people who has been following his music closely and on this special day he had the opportunity to share a moment with Bahati and in deed he was left inspired by the lad.
After the conversation with Bahati Octopizzo posted :
Respect yourself and others will respect you, Nothing of real worth can ever be bought. Love,friendship, honour, valour, respect. All these things have to be earned, a Big Salute to Bahati, keep spreading the Gospel, mi bado ntazidi kua #StreetDisciple . I want to be around people that do things. I don’t want to be around people anymore that judge or talk about what people do. I want to be around people that dream and support and do things, When you have wit of your own, it‘s a pleasure to credit other people for theirs, to every Young person I want you to have big dreams, big goals. I want you to strive to achieve them. But I don’t want to see you beating yourself up every time you make a mistake.”
Octopizzo is one of the most celebrated singers in the Kenyan music industry having come from Kibera slums and always trying to push for a better living in Kibera.
Having been in the secular industry Octopizzo has eyes for gospel music as he has a strong belief about GOD. On the break of Sunday morning Octopizzo shared about how GOD loves us and how He is still willing to be there for us when we are not strong in faith.
The highlight of his statement was when he shared music for one of our lovely gospel singers “Mercy Njoki” who has been growing steadily in the music ministry. Octopizzo says :
“Its an awesome Sunday,nimerauka kucheck out some of the New Gospel artists and I have to say I was captured by Mercy Njoki and I learnt that When you do what you fear most, then you can do anything,The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us. Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”
This statement is one thought about and we pray for Octopizzo in his walk with GOD.
He went further to share the link of Mercy Njoki’s new video and here it is.
