Rising gospel singer Dan Mogore dedicates ETA Awards to his critics
By Tom BosichRising Kenyan gospel singer Dan Mogore says his recent wins at the gospel ETA Awards, after a seven-year music hiatus, are enough to answer his critics.
Mogore recently clinched the Best Artist in Nairobi and Most Promising Male Artist of 2024 at the ETA Awards having won the Best Gospel Collaboration Single in East Africa at the Africa Arts Entertainment Awards a few weeks before.
“When I look at everything I’ve been through, I can see God’s hand guiding me from the beginning. Some people said I couldn’t make it, that I had no future in music after taking the long hiatus.” he vaunts.
For Mogore, these awards are more than just trophies. They’re a testament to his unwavering faith, perseverance, and renewed commitment to his craft, which began in 2020 after the hiatus.
“I’ve been working on music consistently since 2020. Before that, there was a long break where I was completely away from music. But in the last few years, I’ve been focused and productive in a way I’ve never been before.” he states.
Collaboration has been the key to Mogore’s recent success. He’s worked with several gospel artists across East Africa, including Komando Yesu and Goodluck Gozbert from Tanzania. But he’s also established himself as a solo artist. “I want people to know me for my music, not just as someone who does features,” he explains.
His musical roots go back to a decade-long stint as a church worship leader, where he honed his skills and deepened his passion for gospel music. Songs like Usinipuuze and Hello explore themes of struggle, faith and divine provision.
“Instead of just testifying in church, I put those experiences into my songs. It’s my way of explaining what God has done for me.” Mogore notes.
He also attributes much of his success to embracing digital platforms and marketing strategies.
“You can have a great song, but if you don’t promote it properly, no one will hear it,” he notes.”I’ve learnt the importance of investing in marketing, using social media and building a strong online presence.”
The singer has also blasted the major shift that has been witnessed in recent years of several gospel singers switching to secular.
“As a gospel artist, you have to know your lane and stay in it. Don’t get caught up in trying to compete with secular artists or chasing trends.Focus on your message and trust God to connect you with the right audience. This is the reason some started well but have now ended up on the other side,”