Abigael Mkamburi: My music journey

When Abigael Mkamburi Mashauri started making music, she did not expect the journey to be as rough as it later became. A staunch Christian whose love for music started while she was still young, Abigael did not go fully professional until 2016 when she received a call to serve as a minister through music.

“My passion was birthed during my early years as a young girl serving in Praise and worship at Universal Church. I can confidently state that my time serving God in my youth formed a strong backbone for my passion for music. As for songwriting, that came up in the recent past, 2016 to be precise. It came about more as impartation from the Holy Spirit, of which I sincerely thank God,” she told TNX.

Born in Taita Taveta County, Abigael grew up and schooled in Nairobi.

“As cliché as it sounds, I was quite an obedient girl who loved church activities heavily, more so, with my friends. I have fond memories of how I used to love watching movies in the cinema. I truly loved the cinema experience as a young woman,” she adds.

 Abigael says while she is versatile as an artiste, she decided to venture into worship music due to the need to minister.

“I love immersing myself in deep worship music and ministration from the likes of Theophilus Sunday, Victoria Orenze, Evelyn Wanjiru and Eunice Njeri. So, it was the music from such wonderful artistes that got me inspired to go for it,” she says.

“I have 17 songs so far and still going strong all thanks to the Almighty. Roho wa Kweli and I Love Your Name are my most recent worship songs. Pokea and Sifa were some of my early releases, but they really bless me," she said.

Like any newbie in the game, when she ventured into music distribution and marketing were a bit of a hurdle, as she was very fresh in the gospel industry.

“As such, my faith has been stretched out over the years, which has also pushed me to grow spiritually not only in ministry but also in my walk with God. As for what inspires me, I would fully credit my consistency to my prayer life and my strong connection with God. This is what keeps me grounded and focused. However, I thank God as I have gained leverage on exposure in all major TV and radio stations and other music platforms as well,” she notes.

When it comes to inspiration, she says Eunice Njeri is someone she looks up to, as her songs have ministered to her over many years.

Now that her children are all grown and she has found an effective way to manage the business, she says she can devote more time to her music career as a praise and worship singer.

“Away from music, I like to consider myself a strong businesswoman. I have such a passion for travelling as well as getting to explore the culinary scene. Interior décor collection seems to be a bit of a habit, as well since I often find myself collecting pieces such as art,” the hotelier says.