1. Tell us your full names including your stage names? My real names are Benjamin Kipketer Birech Stage names JML meaning JESUS MY LOVE.
2. Where were you born in Kenya, in a family of how many? Are you married?
I was born in Ziwa Uasin Ngishu County in a family of 3 I am not married but am dating right now.
3. Where did u school, primary, seconday and college? At primary level, I schooled at Uasin Gishu Primary School in Eldoret town and later on attended Uasin Gishu Secondary school.
4. What are your hobbies? I love listening to different kind of music and learn from other artist to perfect myself I also love watching Christian movies and also Nigerian movies hahahahahahha! The likes of Aki Na Ukwa, and finally I love going out and doing mission work.
5. How and when did you enter in music career, was it an influence from someone, any musician. Well I use to love singing when I was still a small boy my. My dad used to be a musician so I grew up in a family that loves music. My father had all music instruments in our house so when I was at the age of 8 I could play drums, keyboard and even a guitar.
At the age of 10 my mom and dad got separated. My schooling stopped abruptly and I run away from home looking for a better life.
In the process my Uncle Bishop Wycliffe Bondet adopted me to be his son since he had no kids but at the age of 15 after I finished my Primary education my dad saw that I was doing good in sports and education he told my uncle to give him back his son[me].
In the year 2007 December when Bishop Ben Bahati organized a very big peace crusade in Huruma grounds Eldoret and he had invited Kenyan big artist like Rufftone and many more at this time, I was in secondary school and I had written a lot of songs but I dint know how to go about it in terms of recording music.
Immediately after the event, I went to Rufftone and told him how I love his music and how I always watch him and follow his music every time. He asked me to go check on him the following day which I did and that is how I got introduced to now the late Bishop Ben Bahati from there I started going to Bishop Ben Bahatis church and that’s how my music journey started.
6. Which was the first music you recorded, in which studio? My first song that I recorded was Ewe Mola Wangu and I recorded at Bishop Ben Bahati studio called LBDS RECORDS I do Gospel music and it’s very educative. My music reaches out to the kids, young men and old people I don’t choose I spread the message of Christ to all.
7. Why are you into music?? For money, and if so have u sold some of your music, do u get shows to perform?
First I do music as a way of winning people to Christ and secondly the bible says AND YOUR GIFT OR TALENT SHALL MAKE YOU SIT WITH KINGS AND YOU SHALL ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR HARD WORK. So let me say in another way when I get invited, I tell people to appreciate me with what they think it’s worth my talent and the impact I will bring on their wedding or their show and they normally pay so this means yes I sell copies of my cd’s and also my music pays.
8. Which challenges have you gone through in the music career and how did you overcame them? The first challenge is money. Sometime you can get a deal of recording a song and the song is so big requires you to spent some good money to get the best results. But I thank God nowadays it’s not like then when I was still struggling. Right now I have managers who manage my music when it comes to marketing. Big recording studios look for me to work with them and thus I have overcome the challenges because that’s the biggest thing that denies artists the chance to prosper.
9. Apart from music what else do you do? I am a full time musician and music director
10. Future plans about music?
I want to do music and take it to the next level not only East Africa but Internationally. I also plan to open my own recording studio. I also just finished working on my new video TUGUL Ft Maggy Seurey, a top female Gospel artist in Riftvalley and many more projects are on the way, that I will love to share with my fans later on.
11. Advise to other upcoming artists and youth?
I advise them to stick to the content of your music. Understand what you are good in when it comes to music. If you are good in secular music, do it to your best. Let them write their music in a way that someone can understand