Kenyan singer Willy Paul has hinted at possibly quitting the music industry after expressing frustration over what he describes as broken promises, inadequate support and disappointment from people he trusted with his career.
The singer, who has been active in the music industry since around 2010, made the revelation in a lengthy, emotional statement on November 12, opening up about his struggles, industry relationships, and growing dissatisfaction with how his career has been handled.
Willy Paul, popularly known as Pozze, said he had spent years working hard and giving the industry his best, yet still felt overlooked.
The singer admitted that the experience had drained him emotionally, despite his continued love for music.
“Honestly, this album feels like my last try. I’m giving it everything. If it doesn’t work, I may say goodbye to the music industry. I love music, but this cycle has drained me,” Willy Paul stated.
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Willy Paul Postpones Album Release
The announcement also comes with a major development regarding his upcoming album, which was initially scheduled for release on November 27.
Willy Paul announced that he had decided to postpone the project, explaining that too much time, effort, and resources had gone into producing it to risk compromising its release.
He said the album features contributions from several talented individuals whose work deserves to be properly presented to audiences.
Additionally, Willy Paul expressed disappointment with people he trusted to help advance his career, claiming they did not follow through on commitments made before he signed an agreement.
According to the singer, discussions initially revolved around collaborations, opportunities and professional support.
However, after signing, the communication allegedly changed, with repeated delays and promises that never materialised.
“What hurts most is the disappointment from people I trusted with my career. At the table, the picture is bigger than life: collaborations, opportunities, support. Once you sign, it becomes ‘wait,’ ‘we’ll send an email,’ and ‘sorry for the delay,’ part of the statement read.
He maintained that signing an agreement should not give anyone the freedom to abandon commitments made during negotiations.
Singer Issues Message to His Fans
Despite his disappointment, the singer reserved appreciation for fans who have continued supporting his music over the years.
He acknowledged that supporters who revisit his older songs and continue engaging with his catalogue have given him reasons to keep believing in his talent.
The singer also addressed public criticism, noting that people were entitled to their opinions about his music, but he would not let negative perceptions diminish his confidence.
Willy Paul insisted he understood his worth, recognised what he had built, and would not let anyone undermine his achievements.
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Inside the 16-Year Music Journey of the Kenyan Singer
Wilson Abubakar Radido, popularly known as Willy Paul or Pozze, has built a music career spanning approximately 16 years.
Born on September 1, 1993, Willy Paul grew up in Mathare, Nairobi, where financial difficulties shaped his early life.
His journey into music began around 2010, when he started attracting attention through gospel releases and rose to national prominence through Sitolia, a collaboration with gospel singer Gloria Muliro.
At the 2012 Groove Awards, he won the Best New Artist award, and in 2013 Willy earned recognition at the Groove Awards, where he won Male Artist of the Year.
In 2014, he received further recognition at the Talanta Awards, where he was named Best Performer.
His collaboration with Size 8 on the gospel hit Tam Tam also earned him multiple nominations at the 2015 Groove Awards, including Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Video of the Year and Collaboration of the Year.
In 2016, he won the Best Gospel Act in Africa award at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), held in Dallas, Texas.
However, Willy Paul’s musical journey took a major turn around 2017 when he began moving away from gospel music towards secular entertainment.
After his transition, he released several popular songs and collaborated with regional and international artists, including Jamaican singer Alaine, Tanzanian singer Nandy, Rayvanny and Yemi Alade.
His musical catalogue includes tracks such as I Do, Njiwa, Jigi Jigi and Nobody, among other collaborations.
Alongside his music career, Willy Paul established Saldido International Entertainment, an independent entertainment venture through which he has managed and developed his musical projects.
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