The mention of the name Samuel Muchoki Ndirangu may not elicit significant reaction from the millions of fans who twerk and dance to his ever- great and green tunes.
By Ndung'u Wa Gathua
But mention the name 'Samidoh' and all over sudden you will notice a renewed interest in your audience because that is how the artiste is popularly known in many Kikuyu households, clubs hangout joints to mention but a few.
What is worthy noting though, is that Samidoh's fanbase overspills beyond Mt Kenya region and perhaps the reason he was among the few Kikuyu secular artistes who performed at the widely publicized 'Kenya Ni Yetu' prerecorded concert that aired on Saturday evening across all major TV and select few radio stations.
That is evident that Samidoh is not your everyday typical Kikuyu secular artiste. Yes. As you may already be aware, despite his celebrity status, Muchoki continues to patriotically serve his country as a police officer, something that many of his colleagues in the service perhaps percieve as dumb. But not Samidoh!
As popular blogger Ndung'u Nyoro notes in a Facebook post, the soft-spoken Samidoh has risen from the trenches to become one of the most formidable Kikuyu Benga music maestro of our age.
This has, however, not come on a silver platter. Before the name and fame, Samidoh had to overcome several insurmountable challenges in life to command the massive loyal following he prides of today.
Born and brought up in a humble background in both Subukia and Nyandarua, Samidoh lost his father while still a small child.
His mother and five brothers would soon after the dad's death be kicked out their paternal Subukia homestead by his father’s brothers after which they settled in Nyandarua County.
A few months after joining Form One, Samidoh would again lose his mother and his life took a nosedive that saw him sink deeper into despair and despondency, Nyoro notes.
After Form Four, Samidoh would leave the village for Nairobi where he joined his elder brother, then a drummer in Kamande wa Kioi’s music band and settled as one of the band members for the legendary Kikuyu artiste.
It is during this period that he joined Kenya Polytechnic to pursue a Diploma in Business and Information Technology after which he would tarmack for a job after he lost his position in Wa Kioi's band during his quest for knowledge at Kenya Poly.
When everything seemed not to work for him in the green city under the sun, Samidoh decided 'kaba kuinuka' (better to return home) and headed for the village where he would find a job in a flower farm.
Later, Samidoh joined the Kenya Administration Police, got posted to Daadab and it’s from there that he launched his music career that has now blown up like a 'supernova', Nyoro adds.
His first song 'Ndiri Mutwe Mwega' few days after release, had amassed a mind-boggling 1.6 million views on YouTube, a rare fête for a Kikuyu Benga singer. This is an exclusive club dominated by the likes of Willy Paul, Sauti Sol and Nyashisnki, states Nyoro.
The artiste who is now in his early 30s has continued to release other popular songs like 'Niwe Ndarathimiirwo', 'Kairitu Gakwa', 'Tuhii Twitu', 'Ihoya Ria Samidoh' among others and his musical star continues to illuminate even brighter.
Man is made or unmade by himself; in the armoury of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself; he also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace - James Allen writes in his book, 'As a Man Thinketh'.
And who else could rhyme better and attest to the above statement than Samidoh!