Shalkido: I will not rely on music for money again
Former Sailors Gang member Shalkido has disclosed that he is planning to make a comeback to music, but this time his focus will not be on money.
Speaking on Thursday, September 25, 2025, when YouTuber 2mbili visited his new house, Shalkiddo explained that after the struggles he went through while depending entirely on music for survival, he now intends to approach it purely as a passion project and not as a source of income.
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“Right now, if I return to music, it will only be for fun. Only I know what I went through. Being an artiste is not easy,” he said.
Also watch: Eric Omondi surprises ex-Sailors Gang singer Shalkido days after pleading for help
The artiste reflected on his past challenges, noting that the financial returns from his solo career had been modest.
The highest he ever made from a performance was when a woman gifted him in dollars during a show, which, after conversion, amounted to about Ksh250,000.
Beyond that rare occasion, he said the journey had been tough and often unrewarding.
“The most I have ever made in music as a solo Mugithi artiste was about 250,000 shillings, and that was when a woman who attended a show gifted me in dollars. When I converted it to Kenyan shillings, it came to 250,000,” Shalkiddo added.
He also addressed speculation surrounding the motorbike recently gifted to him by comedian Eric Omondi, clarifying that the dents on it were not a result of an accident but came about when he passed near a road under repair.
Shalkido stressed that he would never sell the motorbike and would even be ready to defend it against theft.
“This dent you see on the motorbike I recently received from Eric Omondi is not from an accident, as people say. It happened when I passed near a place where road repairs were being done. That is how the dents came. I also cannot sell the bike. Even if someone comes to steal it, I cannot allow it. We would have to fight.”
The artiste further explained why he had appealed for a motorbike instead of a car when seeking support.
According to him, he was being realistic because he knew Kenyans would find such a request more acceptable than asking for a bigger asset.
“The reason I appealed for a motorbike and not a car is because I know how Kenyans are. You cannot ask for something that big,” he said.
Shalkido also acknowledged the support he has received from fellow entertainer Oga Obinna, who furnished his new bedsitter. He expressed gratitude, saying the house now looks good and feels like a fresh start after a long stretch of financial strain.
“And now I have a good bedsitter thanks to Oga Obinna, who gifted me furniture. The house looks good now.”
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Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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