Sifa is the new single from this talented upcoming artist, and is now available for exclusive download from Mwafrika.com.
When you come from a musical family, one where your father has been a choir master for over 20 years, music is bound to rub off on you. This is exactly the story of Steve Ominde, producer extraordinaire and founder and owner of Soulchild Records.
Steve knew ever since he finished high school that he wanted to be in music production, but unlike the present day, entry was a very difficult thing. There were around three professionally running studios then, and none was really gospel. Compounding that was the fact that training facilities were unavailable. Musically, the industry could only churn out a handful of albums each year, probably from artists like Hart, Pete Odera and Five Alive. Neither the general public nor the media had caught on; ensuring gospel coverage was minimal at best.
Knowing very little about production, Steve realized he had to expand his horizons if he was to progress. He maximized an opportunity to travel to the US , intent on working and getting himself some training. Odd jobs kept him going between 1997 and 2001, where he got the opportunity to volunteer at different studios, learning the trade. During this period, he began setting up a home studio from where he would train himself. With time, he got the chance to work on contract basis with various studios.
Armed with production skills, studio equipment and great enthusiasm, Steve decided to relocate back home in 2001, proceeding to set up his studio, Soul Child Records, in Nairobi .
Upon setting up, one of the first artists he had opportunity to work with was Henri Mutuku. Along the way she went on to pick up a KORA award, placing Steve and his production house in the limelight. Since then, Soulchild Records, with the help of newcomer producer Ben Gittx Gitau, has worked with a veritable list of gospel and secular talent. From Abbi and Kikwetu to Barbara Guantai and VUC; from Votaries and SITA, to Mission Driven and DNG, they've all had hit records emanating from his studio.
Looking at the diversity of artists he's worked with, Steve is quick to point out that he is more than just a gospel producer. He has and continues to work with all sorts of artists. Music is more than just making sounds, to him it's very much about expression; expressions that all and sundry make.
Nonetheless he is cautious about working with secular artists, adamant that unless their musical content is upright and decent, he is highly unlikely to work with them. He emphasizes that first and foremost, even before being a producer, he is a music lover. But he insists that regardless of the music genres he listens to, be it gospel, neo-soul or afro-fusion, his personal convictions will not allow him meddle with content that is ungodly.
Steve, who insists his name is not to be used interchangeably with that of his company, Soulchild, has had his fair share of accomplishments: the 2003 KORA nod for Henri Mutuku being the crowning moment. In addition, his work with Barbara Guantai earned her first prize at the 2002 Star Search awards. The Votaries picked up a number of gongs at the 2004 Groove Awards, including Group of the Year and collaboration of the year for their work with gospel heavyweight Rufftone on M.O.G whose track and video are Soulchild productions.
Yet this International business Administration graduate confesses there have been numerous challenges along the way. For one, the corporate world has been extremely slow in seeing the potential inherent in the entertainment industry. Whereas their support of sporting activities and community projects cannot be questioned, corporate revenue is yet to make its way into the entertainment scene.
Though he admits the small size of the industry is partly responsible. As such, a mature and business minded core of artists ready and willing to take their skill to the next level has not fully developed. And unlike the situation in more developed nations where record companies exist to share the artists' burden, here singers are left to do all the spade work themselves. From song-writing and A&R, to seeking producers and charting creative paths, to even CD duplication and sales all this is left in the hands of the artist, who is often distracted from the important job of churning out music.
Other challenges include the culture of buying, which he thinks remains poor. People would rather pick up a pirated copy or duplicate albums from friends, leaving artists, and eventually producers, high and dry on their investments.
 The general poor attitudes towards entertainment as a livelihood do nothing to help the situation.
Some of the artists Steve Ominde has been influenced by over the years include groups like Commissioned, Boyz II Men, R Kelly, Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond their style influencing him towards a more urban sound. Yet as he continues to develop musically, neo-soul and afro-fusion interest him more and more.
Production-wise, Robert Kamanzi and Ennovator are some of the local producers whose work resonates with him. He also has a soft spot for the live instrumentation efforts of Kijiji Records producers Krucial Keys and Kanjii.
Overseas, he appreciates gospel producers J Moss, Mark Heimmerman, Chris Harris and Deitrick Haddon, as well as the secular Darkchild, Timbaland, and the artist/producer who he believes is way ahead of his time R. Kelly.
Now with Soulchild Records moving from a fledgling studio to an established part of the local production landscape, Steve Ominde looks forward to upgrading and revamping the studio, in the aim of giving it greater capacity.
Apart from general studio production, commercials and voice-overs and mastering, he looks forward to the day when orchestra recordings and synchronizing for motion pictures becomes a reality, something he is looking forward to doing soon.
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» 4 Comments
1Comment
at Thursday, 23 October 2008 11:51
I believe you are one of the producers who are very sensitive to the needs of artist. I believe God will give me a chance to work with you.
2"Producer"
at Thursday, 22 January 2009 06:40
God bless you bro.I am a singer(Gospel singer)in my local language and i want to produce songs soonest possible.How will i meet you pple?
3Comment
at Thursday, 29 January 2009 14:18
For sure God inhabits in our praises, thanks for the great Job you are doing for the Lord.
4Comment
at Monday, 25 January 2010 10:16
hi steve, i am german and was in contact with both Gordon Ominde, Elizabeth, Gloria and Prof. Ominde. Gordon stayed a long time in our home
in germany and i was also in prof..omindes home in nairobi, met all your family. do you belong to this family? would be interested to hear from you kind reg wolfgang decker
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