Willy Paul Biography
Full Names: | Wilson Abubakar Radido |
Known as: | Willy Paul, Willy Pozze |
Date of Birth: | 1st September 1993 |
Age: | 29 Years Old |
Place of Birth: | Mathare: Nairobi – Kenya |
Place of Growth: | Mathare: Nairobi – Kenya |
Profession: | Musician, Songwriter, Producer, Entrepreneur |
Willy Paul Family
Willy Paul is the last born of four siblings. (3 brothers and 1 sister)
His Father: Paul Opondo Radido was a Carpenter in Mathare: Nairobi – Kenya.
He unfortunately passed on on 28th May 2011.
His Mother: Salome, was a Salonist
Willy Paul Education
Willy Paul attended Brainhouse School located in the Mathare area in Nairobi – Kenya.
Where he did his high school education until form 3 due to lack of school fees.
He later applied and did his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E) in October 2013.
Willy Paul Children
Willy Paul has two children: a boy and a girl who are from different mothers.
The firstborn, who’s a boy, is called: King Damian Radido Opondo.
The secondborn, who’s a girl, is called: Sonya Wilsovia.
She was born in December 2020.
Willy Paul Music Journey
Willy Paul was discovered by J Blessing when he once walked from Mathare to Umoja, where he had gone to attend an Eko Dydda concert and also do a performance.
He describes J Blessing as his musical father.
He later gained recognition when he was featured in his first single ‘Sitolia‘ by Gloria Muliro.
He later released other hit songs such as; You Never Know, Lala Salama, Tam Tam Remix etc.
His Lala Salama single was dedicated to his late Father. It describes the events they had together.
- Debut Album: You Never Know
He later released his album ‘You Never Know‘ in December of 2013 at KICC – Nairobi.
It contained a total of 7 tracks all featuring Gloria Muliro.
It was a soulful compilation of his previously released singles, as well as new singles.
He later proceeded to do a United States-sponsored tour in 2014.
He performed in 12 states including; Sacramento – California, Dallas – Texas, St.louisiana – Missouri and Las Vegas – Nevada.
He faced a lot of backlash and negativity while in the gospel industry.
He later ventured into Contemporary music releasing chart–topping hit songs.
He has collaborated with various artists both locally and outside the country.
Locally includes; Size 8, Khaligraph Jones, Sauti Sol, Gloria Muliro, Mejja, Jovial etc
Others include; Harmonize, Rayvanny, Alaine, Nandy, Meddy, Alikiba etc.
- 2nd Album: Songs of Solomon
He released his second studio album in 2020 titled Songs Of Solomon.
It contains 9 tracks with multiple featured artists such as Miss P, Shappaman, Taio, Mejja and Juliani.
- 3rd Album: African Experience
He later released his third studio album on 26th November 2021 exclusively on the Boomplay streaming platform then it was later released on other platforms.
The 19-track album featured artists such as: Juma Jux, Daphne, Kelly Khumalo, Eddy Kenzo, Fix Fameika and Gyptian.
Willy Paul Record Label
He is the founder and CEO of Saldido International Records.
It’s one of Kenya’s top recording labels.
It previously had signed artists such as Miss Picasah ‘Miss P’ and Klons Melody who both later left the record label.
Miss P had been featured thrice by Willy Paul. In songs such as Mashallah, Fall in Love and Liar.
Klons Melody had been featured in two songs by Willy Paul namely Odi Love and Atoti Jaber.
Willy Paul later signed another artist named Queen P on 18th November 2021.
Willy Paul Awards & Recognition
He has won numerous awards including;
- 2012 – Groove Awards: Best New Act
- 2013 – Groove Awards: Male Artist of the Year
- 2014 – Mwafaka Awards: Collabo Of the Year
- 2015 – Mwafaka Awards: Collabo Of the Year
- 2016 – Mwafaka Awards: Male Artist Of the Year
- 2016 – AFRIMMA Awards: Best Gospel Act (Africa)
- 2017 – PMVA Awards: Male Video of the Year
- 2017 – PMVA Awards: Most viewed Video
- 2017 – Mdundo Awards: Most downloaded single
- AMONG OTHERS
OTHER INFO.
He used to be a dancer in church.
He discovered his talent while in class 3.
He used to be in the drama club while in high school and would also play football.
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External Sources
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