Daddy Owen Celebrates Overcoming Depression With New Album

Gospel singer Daddy Owen has over the past year made public his struggles with depression and his path to recovery becoming a source of inspiration for many Kenyans.

He is gearing up to launch his sixth studio album dubbed Chapter Four on Saturday October 16. As Owen revealed, he began recording the project at a time when depression was taking an unimaginable toll on his mental health.

“Since last year when I was going through personal issues I decided to embark on a journey in a studio to write and record my 6th Album, God has been so faithful to me that now I present to you my latest album CHAPTER 4,” Daddy Owen shared on Tuesday, October 5.

Early this year, Owen stated that he had been battling depression for the past three years. Despite being one of Kenya’s most successful artists with several hits and accolades including an MTV Africa Music Award (MAMA), his mental health took a toll as he faced challenges in his personal life including a rocky relationship and eventual split with his wife Farida Wambui as well as worries over his career declining.

“I used to feel sick like I cannot breathe, I would be rushed to hospital, tests are done but nothing would be found. The next day I would feel sick, I changed doctors, hospitals but still nothing…So one doctor told me that what I am facing is more mental than physical and recommended me to a different doctor,” Owen stated in a previous interview with NTV‘s Grace Msalame.

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In a move that surprised many due to the perceived silence men choose to adopt when it comes to their struggles, Owen decided to open up. He also sought professional help. He told his story on various platforms going into detail on what he considers some of the lowest moments of his life.

Owen revealed that opening up was one of the best things he could have done as it lifted a load off his shoulders and strengthened others going through similar issues in addition to spreading awareness on mental health matters.

‘The biggest mistake was more of keeping quiet. It is hard to say it was the marriage because when one does not have money, do you say it is the marriage? When your business is not doing well would you say it is the marriage or not, it is hard to separate them as all these things come together. Sometimes you wonder if it is these things that affect your marriage or is it your marriage that affects these things,” he once reflected.

He disclosed that several individuals who were battling similar challenges personally reached out to him after hearing his story and he was able to guide them to receive professional help.

Owen also took his story where he knows best, the studio and channeled his thoughts, prayers and emotions into the music as he produced his 6th studio album.

He has been pictured with various Kenyan artists and personalities as he rolls out the project including rapper Khaligraph Jones, comedian Eric Omondi and Sauti Sol member Savara.

It will be the latest chapter in a career laden with hits such as Haijalishi, System ya Kapungala, Mbona, Kiriro and Narejea Kwako.

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