Singer songwriter producer Billy Frank has been behind hugely popular songs such as his smash hit duet with Eunice Njeri (Umeniweza), Mercy Wairegi’s (Ila Wewe), and Maximum Melodies' (Mwamba). In 2008, his efforts were so highly appreciated, his name appeared on the Groove Awards nomination ballot on four different occasions, including in the coveted Songwriter and the Producer of the year categories.
Mwafrika.com recently caught up with this prolific musician, discussing with him issues such as his amazing story of childhood poverty, his rise within Gospel music ranks and eventually his work with different musicians, culminating in Intimacy, his debut solo record.
The forth born in a family of six siblings, music has been a family affair ever since they were children. Boasting a heritage of mixed nationalities, his father is Ugandan while his mother Kenyan, his background has seen him grow in Homa Bay, Kisumu and Nairobi. His father taught him how to play the guitar at a very young age, one among many instruments he plays.
Unfortunately, his world came crashing down at an early age with the divorce of his parents, a separation that saw the tightly-knit family head off in separate directions, leaving him and one sister in their grandmother’s care. Poverty soon became their bedfellow, making life very difficult. It’s at this point that some of his siblings gave up on God and stopped going to church. And just as he was about to throw in the towel and give up on this seemingly invisible God who had abandoned them, a fortuitous move from Kisumu to Nairobi occured. Here he was housed by a Pastor Julius, who paid his High school fees, and provided a home and a family. Being the pastor of Maximum Miracle Church, Komarock, he gave Billy the chance to lead the worship, a place where he continued to nurture his musical talent.
Together with other members, they started a dance group known as Blessed where they produced an album, ‘Pendo’. This opened doors for them being invited to perform alongside Maximum Melodies in crusades and functions. The group has since become inactive due to commitments that caught up with the members. His friendship with Maximum Melodies’ frontman Andrew Young blossomed, leading him to write and produce material for their Mwamba album. He eventually got to meet Gideon Kimanzi of East Coast Studios, who taught him how to use computer programs to produce beats. When Kimanzi left to start his own studio, he left him in charge of the Kasanga owned studio.
From there it was man and machine, making the computer his best friend to combine instruments and vocals to produce music for others. At this time, and without an album in mind, he started writing his own material. This led to what he calls ‘accidental collaborations’. Artists would come into the studio with ideas, and as he would ask them to try and sing something out of it.
This is how most of the collaborations for his solo debut, Intimacy, were born. Ukimwita, a song he did with Niko and Gideon Banda was one of those ‘accidental’ songs. Mercy Wairegi happened to be in the studio when he was listening to a chord played by Dennis Wampuya, a friend of his. He invited her to listen and add a verse to it, giving rise to Kama Si Wewe. Other songs off his album include Kwa Sababu Yako, Promise and Pokea, three of his personal favorites. Billy Frank, who still harbors dreams of becoming a pilot one day, describes his album as ‘very personal’, as it recounts his life of adversity, while telling the successes in overcoming them. Interestingly, Billy was not planning to produce the album. Fortunately for his many fans, the insistence of K-Krew’s Njugush persuaded him.
You’re unlikely to miss Intimacy at your local music store. You’re even less likely to see Billy Frank’s star continue to rise in days to come.
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1Comment
at Monday, 26 January 2009 21:20
And you haven't mentioned that Billy Frank is one of the most humble and down-to-earth artists and producers we have in Kenya. A very nice guy. How can you not tell us if he is single...lol
2Comment
at Monday, 26 January 2009 22:10
Knowing you and having worked with you was delightful. I have just known you for a few days and Billy what I can say is that the sky is the limit. Keep keeping on and let God continue reigning in your life.
3"The chosen one"
at Thursday, 29 January 2009 07:30
Billy I know u thro' fcbk n thro' listening ur songs at hope fm but ur story has made m shade tears but I thank God coz He hold u when u was almost let it go n u felt u couldn't do it anymore His mercy kept u.
Blessings bro. n continue trusting in God n don't let ur dream die but focus on the city which the founder is God(Canaan) like Abraham. Ur songs really do bless m so much esp. 'Ila wewe' Baraka kibao.
4Comment
at Thursday, 05 February 2009 19:05
Billy is such a blessing, his songs are so inspiring and my prayer for him is aendelee hivvo hivyo. saw him performing in the Path conference in Daystar for the first time and i was like, wa, thats a worshipper. God bless ya
5Comment
at Monday, 09 February 2009 12:50
Thank God for Njugush...ha ha ha.
I haven't listened to all his music, but really like Umeniweza and Kama Si Wewe. May the Lord continue to bless and to grow Billy Frank's ministry even more.
6"Mr."
at Tuesday, 10 February 2009 16:30
I admire your art and that voice WOW!
You are such an inspiration to me.
7"music"
at Saturday, 03 April 2010 15:14
Dear sir,
my name is abigail, a kenyan in Oslo. I would like to do business with you, how can i get in touch with you.
Abigail
8Comment
at Tuesday, 13 April 2010 10:20
Billy i would lk u to produce my gospel album, please give me ur contacts through my mail so that , we can communicate
9"Mrs."
at Friday, 16 April 2010 09:47
Kindly send me your contacts through my e-mail i wld like us to talk more on music production. My Album!! I have listen to UMENIWEZA song and am more than blessed. God bless you.
10Comment
at Sunday, 23 May 2010 22:03
Billy, I did not know your story until today!! I am touched by you all the time.. Your music is just one huge blessing!!!!!! The Lord is using you in very diverse ways and I hereby declare that His promises in your life shall be fulfilled.. His word CANNOT be broken!!!
11Comment
at Thursday, 10 June 2010 10:52
hi,i like your profile. can you kindly tell me wea u r situated? i would like for yu to produce a song for me
12"E"
at Monday, 18 October 2010 10:46
Please email me Billy Frank's email. I need order his videos. They are awesome!
13"Yotham"
at Friday, 22 October 2010 10:54
Hello!!! please can i get your email adress so as we can communicate,Urgently
14"dear Billy"
at Saturday, 30 October 2010 23:19
dear billy, I did not know your story! what amazing how God Has give you this talent. even though I'm not Kenyan and I don't undestand swahili, the words touch me very much when you sing you songs. I listen always to kenyangospel music I like it so much. Let my God Bless you so much.
and Keep it up !
15Comment
at Saturday, 11 December 2010 15:01
May God keep sharpening your skills till you produce songs 4 me.u have a unique way of doing things, inuka mteule album assured me of it.
16Comment
at Wednesday, 02 March 2011 06:42
i just thank God for the far He has brought.seeing him grow as a humble young man in the same church maximum miracle komarock...he was in class 8 when he played keyboard on my wedding in 2003 n everyone was staring at him lol!.may God see him through.....
17Comment
at Sunday, 01 May 2011 14:02
hey,i like your work its inspiring.just incase you need a background vocalist contact me am ready for auditions any time God bless!
18"mr"
at Thursday, 23 June 2011 23:07
Bro you are a blessing to me, may the Lord continually lift you and bless you, and useyou.
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