A successful career in music doesn’t happen overnight. It requires years of patience, consistent practice, temerity, and openness to critique. The industry is constantly evolving.
Kenya has produced some big names in the African music industry, which is constantly evolving. The big question many ask is whether a music career can pay the bills and sustain one’s lifestyle.
Audiphaxad Peter Omwaka, popularly known by the stage name Guardian Angel, is a Kenyan gospel musician known for his hit song ‘Yesu Sio Mwizi’. The musician had other plans aside from his artistry career.
In a past interview, he shared that he has done pig farming for the last two years. He didn’t start pig farming on his volution; a friend suggested it could be a profitable venture.
Unlike poultry rearing, which he had some experience with, pig farming was entirely new to him. Since then, he has made steady progress in building his piggery.
Guardian Angel revealed that he uses his music earnings to improve the structures on his pig farm, which is premised on cleanliness with twice-daily cleaning.
“Till now, one year down the line, we are at 80 pigs now. Of course plus the ones I’ve sold which are more than 20, we’ve had over 100 plus the piglets,” he said at the time the interview was shot.
According to Guardian Angel, his extensive research showed that for many musicians, music is often their last source of income. This realization convinced him to venture into agribusiness to support his music career.
“Music is a career, especially in this country, that is not well defined. Hakuna mtu tunaenda kuitisha mshahara yetu. If you get a gig paying Sh. 1 million now and stay for the next 6 months without another, bills are still constant,” he stated.
Sanaipei Tande: Lessons I’ve learnt from venturing into chicken farming
The biggest challenge Guardian Angel faces in pig farming is the high feed cost. He explained that each bag is expensive, and his pigs consume up to three bags daily.
When he can’t afford pig feed, Guardian Angel visits local vibandas and hotels to collect leftover food, which he washes and gradually feeds to his pigs until he can profit from their sale.
“Everyone successful in all the businesses that they have did not start big; even the music business, you don’t start as a star.”
Guardian Angel advised Kenyan youth to steer clear of the notion that agribusiness is too costly. He suggested that with a loan of Sh. 3,500, one can buy a pig, feed it, and be patient for returns.
“Market ni huge. I have people who come here to get them for the few times I have sold my pigs. Market ni kubwa sana, hatuwezi sema utateseka na market,” he urged.
He operates the farm through the Guardian Angel Foundation, using its proceeds to support his music career. He urged young people to stop complaining and “make lemonade out of lemons”.
