Ochiko focuses on music, creative identity and building a lasting career.
The singer and songwriter explains how creative freedom, business knowledge and live performances shape his approach to music.
Singer and songwriter Ochiko says brand identity and business knowledge matter alongside music when building a lasting career. He believes artistes must offer value beyond individual songs, albums or commercial campaigns.
His work with Johnnie Walker has helped shape that view, teaching him about corporate partnerships. However, he says artistes must understand what partners need without losing the qualities that distinguish them.
Why brand identity matters to Ochiko
For Ochiko, sustaining a career requires more than recording and performing. His understanding now also covers publishing, contracts, management, royalties and the business structures behind music.
He also draws a distinction between online attention and commercial results. Large streaming figures and social media audiences, he observes, do not necessarily lead to ticket sales.
Instead, he sees live performances as crucial to developing loyal audiences in Kenya and across much of Africa. Emerging artistes therefore need to build a business around their work while developing their music.
From poetry to performing his own songs
Ochiko grew up in a musical household, but poetry first gave him a creative outlet. His father, Mordecai Odongo, played Benga and rhumba, while his mother also sang.
As a teenager, he attended a poetry audition where encouragement to try singing changed his direction. After completing his studies at Mbita High School, he moved to Mombasa.
There, he worked with artistes and producer Shirko, while songwriting opened doors to further collaborations. Those experiences also allowed him to learn how the industry worked behind the scenes.
However, other performers did not always deliver his compositions as he imagined them. He consequently decided to sing his own material.
Back in Nairobi, Ochiko worked with producer Modest Chabari on Wuoth Hera, meaning the Journey of Love. Two songs from the four-track project eventually became favourites among his live audiences.
He later released The Footprint, continuing to develop his sound through collaborations with musicians and producers.
Creative freedom and a wider purpose
Ochiko combines Benga, blues, R&B and contemporary urban influences rather than committing to one genre. He believes traditional and modern sounds can coexist without weakening an artiste’s identity.
Beyond songwriting, his interests include guitar, bass, photography, graphic design and film. He also remains open to learning from collaborators and using artificial intelligence as a creative tool.
Ultimately, his ambition extends beyond recognition: he wants his music to ease listeners’ burdens and make life more enjoyable.
