Jamaican singer and songwriter Christopher Oteng Martin has excitedly revealed that he has been bestowed with a Kenyan name, Palaa, as he continues his tour in the lead-up to his much-anticipated performance at Uhuru Gardens on February 8, 2025.
The celebrated artist made this disclosure on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, during a rapid-fire Q&A session with a local media outlet.
The singer, who touched down in Kenya on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, also shared intriguing lesser-known details about his life during the session, including the fact that his mother remains the person he calls the most and that his childhood nickname was Zuzu.
Martin, who expressed sheer excitement about being in Kenya, further revealed that he has never truly held a conventional job outside of music, as he has been dedicated to his craft ever since completing college.
“I’m in Kenya because I’m performing on Saturday at Uhuru Gardens. Yes, Christopher Martin is my real name, but I’ve just been given a Kenyan name—Christopher Palaa—which means ‘sharp knife’ in Luo,” the thrilled singer shared.
Life as a Celebrity
Martin also delved into the realities of fame, acknowledging that despite his achievements, there are many everyday experiences he deeply misses.
He pointed out that he can no longer move around freely or take a casual stroll alone, as he is constantly in the spotlight. He explained that wherever he goes, he must always have someone accompanying him for security and oversight.
Christopher, adored by Kenyan fans for hit songs like Mama and Let Her Go, also spoke candidly about the most heartbreaking experience of his life—the loss of his grandmother.
While he did not specify when it happened, he admitted that it remains the most excruciating pain he has ever endured.
During the session, the singer answered over ten rapid-fire questions, unveiling another unexpected aspect of his personal life—his nightly routine of listening to gospel music before bed and his deep-rooted spirituality, which he says many people wouldn’t expect.
“The one thing I miss the most now that I’m a celebrity is the freedom to go anywhere by myself. My grandmother’s passing is the loss that devastated me the most. Before I sleep, I always listen to gospel music and say my prayers,” he responded.
Excitement for the show
The singer is set to headline the Sounds From Africa festival, an event he says he is eagerly counting down to.
The Weekend Love hitmaker first graced Kenyan soil in 2010 for a performance that left Kenyan ladies utterly smitten, with many later bombarding his social media with requests to return.
