DNG, 2004 KORA AWARD WINNER (Best Male Gospel Artist Africa), the only Kenyan musician to bag a continental award in 2004, has had a rough road to stardom. DNG stands for 'Disciple and God', but my real names are Davidson Ngibuini. I chose this stage name because I want to be more like Christ in the way I live my life. I want to learn from Him. My music and ministry is all about Him. Born 17th May 1986 to a single parent, I am the only child in my family. Fatherless, my life has not been easy. I grew up in denial, looking for answers in all the word places: drugs, sex and alcohol- everything that you may consider moral filth. On July 31st 2003, I gave my life to the Lord and He began the transformation in my life.
 

MUSIC CAREER
I have loved music from a very young age, having been exposed to all sorts of music genres. When I finally ventured into music in January 2003, I started off with secular music till I got saved and shifted to gospel music. My music is a fusion of English and Kiswahili (which is the national language in Kenya). It is a mixture of R&B and Hip-hop in a local style, which in Kenya, we call 'Kapuka', and is youthful, lively and contemporary.

My first gospel song, 'Samehewa' is a testimony and features the vibrant vocals of an upcoming gospel musician called Kiki Mutungi. I have done a remix of the song with a local gospel group in Kenya called 'Gospel Fathers' and it is featured in their compilation CD called 'Sina Madeni'. I am still working on my album and it is yet to be released. My music, being inspirational, rich and soul-searching aims at creating an impact and making a difference in people's lives by influencing them through positive messages.

INSPIRATION
My greatest inspiration in my music is God. I am basically testifying how much He has done for me, and what He can do for you.
Another inspiration to my music is my life: experiences, challenges, struggles, trials and tribulations. I incorporate what I see or feel into my music. I have something to say and I am just looking for the platform to say it.

VISION
My vision is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all peoples, and of all denominations. I aim to influence people to change through my music, lifestyle and my one-on-one interaction with people. I don't want people to make the mistakes I made. I also aim at changing the stereotype that many people, especially the youth, have that Christianity is boring and it is just for the old folk. I want them to see, through my life, that you can still be young and be born-again, and still enjoy yourself, have clean fun and live your life to the fullest. Lastly, I aim at promoting decent music as opposed to songs laced with lewd and nasty lyrics. Music all over the world has been perverted as is seen as promoting immorality, sex and wicked behaviour. I aim at cleaning up the stigma around music, especially in Africa where the traditions and society are very conservative. It is high time we worked at getting rid of this tarnished image around music.

CHALLENGES
1.Finances- It has not been easy, but so far, God has provided. My mother is the sole financier of my music.
2.Poor distribution of our music both locally in Kenya and internationally. We artists have to distribute the music ourselves thus wasting time and energy we could have used to improve our music.

ACHIEVEMENTS
My greatest achievement is my God-given breakthrough in the music industry: I have been able to curve a name for myself, record songs, do a video, and even start my own clothing line. I have released my pre-album release tapes, which have received booming sales!! I have infiltrated the secular industry, something that is extremely difficult for a gospel musician to do in Kenya. I have had several live performances and have shared platforms with American Gospel music Awards nominees, Rufftone, SK-Blue, Sheila and Jogg C, Kisima Awards nominees, Gospel Fathers (with whom I have also done a collaboration with), 2004 East African Coca Cola Pop-stars, SEMA, The Homeboyz, Code Red, Kora Award Nominee Redsan and many others.

My songs have rocked the charts as is evident in the 'mymusic.co.ke' sales lists showing the top 10 hottest selling songs in Kenya!! In 2004, I was honored to receive several nominations to the first ever Groove Awards (Kenya's first ever Gospel Awards) in the following categories: Best Gospel Video of the year, Best New Artist of the year and Songwriter of the year. Submitting my material to such a wonderful and awesome competition such as The Kora Awards is a great achievement in itself. I was nominated to the Kora Awards in the Best Male Gospel Artist category and won thanks to God!! DNG, now a household name, is clearly seen through the large amount of popularity I have gained thus far. This year (2005) I was nominated and won the Best Gospel Artist Award in the Chaguo La Teeniez Award in Kenya, an award decided by the number of votes by Kenyan Teenagers aged between 13 and 19 years old!

AMBITIONS
I plan to release my album this August (2005), expand my clothing line, make my music internationally renown and to even open doors for other up-coming musicians. I also plan to set a higher standard in the Gospel industry, taking gospel music to a place it has never been before. I also hope to get signed onto an International record label and get my music distributed all over the world!