M.O.G’s Biography | MOG

Kenyan gospel music group MOG is made up of three young kenya guys who gave their lievs to Christ and decided to worship him with their Voices. Members of MOG include Paul “Boss” Onyango, Anthony “Tony” Mburu and
Kennedy “Kenti” Kimani. these trio are know for their hit songs like Tempted and Zing Zing.

 It is a testimony to the saving power of Christ and sheer
determination that today, Paul “Boss” Onyango, Anthony “Tony” Mburu and
Kennedy “Kenti” Kimani are not only changed, but changing lives as the
prolific boy-group and multi-award winning, Men Of God (MOG). The story
of this trio that brought you hits like Tempted and Zing Zing is as
heart-wrenching as it is uplifting. It is a story of determination to
overcome the most amazing odds to make it in life.

Growing up in the Korogocho slums, their lives were filled
with criminal activities common with youth in that neighborhood. Thrust
early into petty theft, street life and eventually gang-related crimes,
their lives were on a stereo-typical downward spiral. That was until
Tumaini Church came along.

The slum-based ministry specializes
in reaching out to young people in slums through various activities,
including sports, which is how Tony, Kenti and Boss got involved. They
both confess though, that even after becoming ‘church regulars’, it was
only to get the opportunities that being in the team afforded them. But
God would not let them go, and after awhile, they were all roped into
the fold.

Their love for music started to shine forth in 2001,
as parts of two different groups. Two years later, they joined together
and after experimenting with several names – Trouble Finishers, The
Blaze, The Zoo Boys – finally settled on MOG. In 2004, they did their
first recording with Sakata Music, for the track Dunda Na Love. They
followed this up with Christ Superstars produced by Homeboyz, before
doing Tempted and Zing Zing at Ogopa and Sakata respectively.

Behind
their impressive current portfolio, these energetic artists remember
how difficult it was for them to make inroads into the mainstream Gospel
industry. Opportunities to perform at shows were few and far between,
and even then, it would only be as a favor after much pushing and
shoving. They recall walking miles to get their music to radio stations,
or to go to shows which they were not paid for. Nevertheless, they
refused to give up and their resilience paid off when they met up with
Jogg C’s Lena.
Somewhat established, Lena introduced them to the
industry, giving them a platform and getting them on shows where Jogg C
was slated to perform. Their big break came when their performance at
the Jogg C launch earned them a big mention on local entertainment TV
programme, Grapevine. Of the role Lena and Kaberere (the other half of
Jogg C) have played in shaping their career, MOG say:

“Had God not used these guys, you might never have heard of MOG!”

MOG
later joined K-Krew, and have become an integral part of the family,
quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most appreciated performers
in the crew. Seeing them today, one would be hard-pressed to associate
them with the men that terrorized residents of Korogocho. Yet they have
not forgotten, and see their transformation as a major plan God has for
everyone in the same situation. Tony explains;

“God has made us
like a mirror in our community – that people can look up to us and see
what He can do for them. Can something good come out of ‘Koch’? When
they look at us, they see that the answer to that question is yes. And
they see that they can hope on – we are making it, and they can too.”

Not only have they now become award winning artists, picking up nods at the Groove Awards as well as the popular Chaguo
La Teeniez Awards, 2009 saw them establish themselves as the darlings
of the country, as they became arguably Kenya’s most popular group,
Gospel or otherwise. Their catchy singles, including Zing Zing, with
Verbal, the more recent Let Him Go, have enjoyed significant airplay
both in mainstream and Gospel media. They also recorded a single with
mega dancehall star Isaac Blackman, and are looking to release their
full-length debut album. Still, they have not lost focus. They intend to
spread the wings of their ministry to cover not just Korogocho, but the
other slums in Nairobi as well. It is their way of giving back to God
what He has given them. Says Kenti:
“We were unreachable, so we want
to reach the unreachable – those who have no hope and no one ever thinks
of taking the Gospel to them because they live in slums. This is why we
do what we do.”

Their efforts seem to be paying off. Their ragga
tunes and electric performances have earned them a multitude of fans,
while no gig is quite complete without their ‘zing zing’ dancing style
rocking the stage. But far from that, the difference is being seen in
their community. Children and young people in Korogocho have found songs
to sing along to and role models to look up to. Youth involved in the
same vices these men wallowed in are coming to them and giving
testimony. And its only just began.

The passion that these young
men have is palpable – an unbridled desire to make a difference and
stand as an example to the many young people that are not born with much
opportunity or resources, and who think that nothing good can come out
of their lives. MOG is a testimony that God does not consult our
background when He’s looking for vessels to use!

references: ghalfla