Gospel legend Daddy Owen has opened up about the professional regrets he carries from the height of his career.
Speaking during the debut episode of the DaddyXMo Podcast, which he co-hosts with DJ Mo, the singer reflected on the missed opportunities that came with being a pioneer in the industry.
Known for hits like “System ya Kapungala” and “Tobina,” Daddy Owen was a dominant force in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
However, looking back at his 20-year journey, he admitted that his focus was often too narrow.
Global Gigs and Missed Connections
During the podcast episode, titled “The Genesis,” Owen revealed that he often turned down invitations to perform abroad. At the time, his priority was the immediate financial gain from local shows rather than building an international brand.
“I wish I had done more events abroad. I used to reject almost all of them,” Owen confessed.
He explained that his mindset back then was focused on “chapaa” (money), preferring to be paid for local gigs rather than investing in the long-term connections that international travel provides.
“I wish at that time ningefanya more collabos na international artist, but unfortunately sijui kama ilikuanga ni shida yangu. Either I was too naive or maybe hakukuwa na most gospel artists who are doing pop music like me,” he added.
A Regional Vision
Beyond international collaborations, Owen expressed regret over not uniting the East African gospel industry.
He recalled performing in countries like Uganda, where local artists looked up to the Kenyan gospel scene.
He noted that if he had the foresight, he would have created a regional “outfit” or festival circuit that treated East Africa as one single market.
This, he believes, would have created a more sustainable and powerful platform for artists on both sides of the border.
The Management Gap
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the lack of professional structure during Owen’s peak years. He admitted that he did not have a manager for a long time, partly because the industry was not ready for it and partly due to his own misconceptions.
Owen shared that he used to view managers as people who simply “ate” an artist’s money without providing clear value.
He recalled thinking that if he earned 50,000 shillings, he didn’t want to lose 10,000 of it to a middleman.
“I wish those days I had embraced having a manager.” — Daddy Owen
He now recognises that a manager handles essential logistics, such as technical riders and hospitality, which he used to struggle with on his own.
At one point, when asked for a rider, he simply requested “tea and water,” not realising the professional standard required for high-level performances.
Legacy of Mentorship
Whilst Owen discussed his personal regrets, the podcast also highlighted the positive impact of the duo’s work. DJ Mo revealed that through his System Unit academy, he has trained not less than 500 DJs who are now working across Kenya and beyond.
Today, Daddy Owen says he is still learning and has changed his approach by working with a structured team. He now performs fewer shows but focuses on those with higher value and impact.
BY moses sagwe
