Calendar Ya Mungu: Koppa Gekon's rise from NYS training to TikTok viral sensation

In this interview, Koppa talks about his breakthrough hit, 'Calendar Ya Mungu', which has garnered over 3 million YouTube views in just three months.

He talks about his hardscrabble childhood, a broken hand that went untreated due to financial constraints, and a rollercoaster journey in the music industry.

1. Your journey into music is unique. What inspired you to start singing?

I was born in Eldoret but grew up in other parts like Kitale as my mother worked hard to provide for my two other siblings and me.

Life was never easy and we moved around a lot.

My mother, Florence Kemunto, sold porridge to feed us.

Seeing her struggle made me determined to find a way to make something of myself.

Music started as a way to escape the reality of life. In primary school, I loved football more than anything.

But something changed in Standard Six and I started writing my own songs, some gospel and some love songs.

One of my teachers at Kiamba Primary School saw my talent and gave me a platform to rap every Friday during the morning parade.

That was when I realised that music could be more than just a hobby, it could be my future and I started writing my own songs. My classmates loved my songs.

2. You recorded your first song while you were still at school. What was that experience like?

It was a mixture of excitement and struggle.

My biggest challenger is called King Kidali. He was a top artist at that time and we became friends in Class 6.

That was the first time I went to a studio in Langas where I saw a producer guiding artistes through the recording process.

I quickly understood the process and the following week I had a plan.

After school, I started collecting scrap metal and together with the weekly lunch money my mother gave me, I managed to save about Sh500.

I took it to producer Trace Black. He laughed at the amount but gave me a chance anyway.

He could not believe it when I finally finished recording.

At that moment he sat me down and gave me advice because he saw my passion for music.

He told me that if I wanted to be successful, I should avoid women and drugs and always put God first, whether I sing love songs or gospel music.

My first song 'Wanasema' didn't go far but it opened doors for me.

Then came 'Eldy Ndilo Jiji', a song I thought would be my breakthrough, but it wasn't.

3. What was the turning point in your music career?

The journey has been hard. I have written a lot of songs. There have been many setbacks but the biggest breakthrough came with 'Calendar Ya Mungu'.

I had released an album called 'Falling in Love' and expected other songs like 'Stress' or 'Sema' to be the biggest hits.

But 'Calendar Ya Mungu' surprised me. I would say it was God's timing.

I used my knowledge from studying music production to create it.

I juggled my automotive engineering studies with learning how to make beats in FL Studio.

Music production is just as intense as engineering because there is vocal editing, reverb, mastering and even AI tools to enhance the sound.

But all the work paid off when 'Calendar Ya Mungu' started trending.

4. How has being in the National Youth Service affected your music career?

I finished Form 4 in 2018 and got a C plain. I joined the NYS in 2019 and I would say it was a blessing. During my time there, I started paramilitary training in Gilgil and later went to the National Building in Turbo, which is also where my YouTube journey started.

Most of my officers help me make videos while I am in camp. I also received vocational training, which I am currently pursuing.

In our unit, our CO Tumaini, the Adjutant and many officers have been instrumental in helping me improve my music craft.

I always advise other school leavers to wait for the next recruitment and consider joining the NYS. It is a place where talent is nurtured. I don't regret being there.

5. Your song Calendar Ya Mungu went viral on TikTok. How did that happen?

I wrote this song in Form One in 2014 after I broke my arm playing football at Bokoli Boys.

I had to go back home for treatment and at one point we visited a hospital in Uasin Gishu because that is where my home is.

When we got there, my mother could not afford Sh20 for a booklet.

One of the nurses looked at my mother and said, "Even you can't afford Sh20?" The words hit home and we both burst into tears. I turned to my mum and said, "Let's just go home.

I was supposed to get physiotherapy to straighten my arm, but instead I went home, got a rope and started learning how to stretch and use my left hand again.

I kept at it until my hand finally healed on its own.

Years later I released the song. I found out it was trending when my sister in the US called to tell me.

At first I didn't take her seriously. Then Nyako, our TikTok president, gave it a massive push.

Suddenly I was everywhere. TikTok challenges started popping up with TikTokers using it.

The challenge got over 700,000 views, it wasn't easy, but it was a blessing.

Nyako called me later and supported me financially. She helped me pay my rent and send money home to my mother for Christmas. It was a moment that changed everything for me.

6. Your journey has been full of hardships. Have you ever felt like giving up?

Many times. There were times when I questioned everything.

After high school I kept releasing songs that didn't go far.

I almost lost hope. Even after joining NYS, I wondered if I would ever make it.

But God works in mysterious ways. The right people came into my life, my cameraman Chess Infinity Verve, who stuck with me through it all.

We shot videos in the rain and spent hours trying to build my YouTube channel.

He kept telling me, "Ipo siku. (One day will come)". And that day came with 'Calendar Ya Mungu'. I believe now more than ever that persistence pays off.

I am just getting started. I have over 800 songs planned and I am working on another called 'Mipango Ya Mungu' which is a song about trusting God's plan despite the challenges.

I want to continue making music that inspires people. I have seen what faith and hard work can do. If my story can encourage just one person to carry on, then I have done my job. Expect more from me, this is just the beginning.