This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
August 27, 2019
Tedd Josiah, a renowned music producer and businessman, has expressed regret over his decision to venture into music. In an interview, Josiah revealed that he spent over 30 years producing music but never received royalties from the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK).
Starting his career as a musician with the group Ebony Affair in the early 1990s, Josiah later formed the group Hart in 1993, which disbanded in 1995. He then joined Sync Sound Studios as a producer, working with notable artists such as Gidi Gidi Maji Maji and Kalamashaka.
Speaking to Word Is, Josiah stated, "There are things you do and wish you started them earlier, like doing my bag business is much better than concentrating on doing music." He added that if he had focused on his business, he would have made more money.
After losing his wife two years ago, Josiah quit his producer job to make her fashion business a reality. He has since turned her venture into a thriving business called Joka Jok.
As a producer, Josiah also expressed his disapproval of the new crop of music released nowadays, citing its focus on sex. "I am not a fan of sexually overt music, and I wouldn’t want to make music that is only talking about sex," he said.
Other notable Kenyan performers Josiah has worked with include Suzzana Owiyo and Achieng’ Abura.
