Timmy T Dat shares remarkable journey from humble beginnings to stardom
Kenyan singer and rapper Timmy T Dat, born Timothy Owuor, has opened up about his inspiring journey from a challenging upbringing in Nairobi’s informal settlements to becoming one of Kenya’s most celebrated entertainers.
Speaking candidly during a televised interview on the night of Friday, July 4, 2025, Timmy offered a glimpse into his gritty rise to fame, a journey shaped by hardship, resilience, and the healing power of music.
Early life
Known for chart-topping hits like Wembe featuring Otile Brown and Si Kitambo, Timmy reflected on his early days, describing a life where survival was a daily mission. Raised in the slums, he recalled how children were often forced to fend for themselves like adults.
“Kitambo kitu ilihappen ni kuzaliwa mtaani. Unajua mtaani unazaliwa kama wewe ni msee mbigi… mtoto wa nyoka. Inabidi uanze kutafuta,” he said. “Hapo ndo unapata mtoi anachagua kama avae top au shorts—si kwa kupenda, ni kwa hali,” he narrated.
Street-smart determination
According to him, this tough upbringing built a certain kind of street-smart determination that can’t be taught in any classroom. He even remarked on how the national football team lacks players from affluent backgrounds, stating that the hunger for success often comes from the struggle.
Timmy went on to narrate how he once lived in a cramped iron-sheet-walled house in Kasabuni with two other young men. Despite being in high school at the time, he was already hustling for rent. The house, dusty and poorly constructed, was often ridiculed by neighbours who joked that the trio lived in a kiosk.
“Keja tulikuwa tunashare watu watatu, ilikuwa Kasabuni. Nilianza nikiwa Form Two. Nilikuwa nastay na sister, lakini juu alikuwa na mtu wake, nikaanza kutafuta keja ingine. Ilikuwa kama Ksh700, ikapandishwa hadi 800. Tukahama kwa mbao—vumbi mingi, mlango nusu.”
Despite the challenges, Timmy didn’t give up. After completing high school, he ventured into selling CDs of his music and even worked as a garbage collector to make ends meet. Slowly but surely, his hustle began to pay off.
“Tukauza CD, tukafanya garbage collection, nikaupgrade kidogo. Nikatoka kwa keja ya mabati na mbao, nikaingia block kidogo—ya Ksh2,500. Hapo sasa nikaanza kuona maisha.”
