It’s Time We Started Taking Willy Paul Seriously……He Is A Genius

WIlly Paul’s unorthodox gospel career has been constantly ridiculed by the media and fans ever since he broke out. He has been subjected to more vitriol than any renowned celebrity. He has been labeled a ‘narcissistic joker’ on several occasions. Comments on his YouTube channel are proof of this. Whenever he posts a new video, he Is usually greeted with an underlying cacophony of disgust. His latest hit ‘Fanya’ too has been overshadowed by an ingrained resentment with some claiming that he is talking more about himself than he is about God. People have in fact failed to notice that the track is indeed good if you look at it from a musical perspective. It distills the various sounds he’s experimented with throughout his career –into something bold and precise.

Deriding Willy Paul as a clown as the media has done over time or as an “immoral fella whose Christian values are gibberish,” as his fellow saved Christians have done, is understandable. His incessant outlandish behavior coupled with his reckless lifestyle has seriously put in doubt his credibility as a disciple of Christ.

But it still is wrong to label Willy Paul as a joke. I can never hesitate to bash Willy Paul when he does something stupid. I would do it again and again. I would attack him like he was enemy territory but lately I have come to respect what he does. Controversial people who still manage to deliver works of brilliance everyday are geniuses. No matter what scandal Willy Paul finds himself in, he always manages to come up with a hit song in the end and silence his critics.

Willy Paul’s controversy also makes him a viable option for many Kenyans disillusioned with the hypocrisy of gospel. Those that prefer party gospel music that makes you feel good rather than music that preaches to you. His curious medley of undisguised dare-devilry, rabid anti-intellectualism and crude language has allowed him to tap into the segment of disenfranchised, mostly young, music lovers like no other mainstream gospel singer has done or dared to.

The beauty of it all is that he ever attempts to shake off his manufactured bad boy reputation. It’s like he goes by the mantra – If you enjoy the music, thank you, and if you don’t, there’s nothing more to talk about. Kind of the same way I handle readers of my articles. Getting people to take him seriously is a journey that Willy Paul has been making in baby steps only for him to say “to hell with that” and go back to where he was. He will tell us how ‘mabinti walimchanganya’ and that he’s a changed man now but we all know he will go back to bedding his hot female fans. He will keep on getting the hate but he will still remain the same old Willy Paul unless a special miracle happens.

The thing with Willy Paul is that sometimes he appears to be on a downward spiral then at other times, he appears to be in a good place mentally, physically, and artistically. He’s difficult to understand.

By the end of it all, not many people can endure all that kind of hate and still come out strong and unbothered. Despite possessing a natural finesse for music, Willy Paul has become an emblem for gospel music’s downfall. Hate all the shit on the radio? Blame Willy Paul. Dislike the proliferation of celebrities that are full of themselves? Blame Willy Paul. Many still see him as untalented and undeserving of the legions of fans he has amassed.

As many continue to hate and a few continue to appreciate, fact is that we will all still listen to him. And he will keep on releasing bangers. So which is better? Hating someone who doesn’t care about your opinion or appreciating what he does? You decide