Paul Clement: Bio And Journey Into Gospel Music

Paul Clement is a Tanzanian gospel artist, minister, evangelist, songwriter and producer and most recently a film writer and actor whose most notable works include ‘Amenifanyia Amani’ which translates to He has given me peace, ‘Wakati wa Mungu’ which means God’s timing and ‘Amefanya Mungu’ to mean God has done it.

He is a renowned gospel musician whose songs emphasize a message of love and faith. With an impressive record of a little over 32 songs, he began his career after being convicted by the Holy Spirit to make an impact through his music. For instance, Amenifanyia Amani is an ode to God for giving him peace during a tumultuous season of his life.

Paul Clement’s Bio

Paul Clement in a Nutshell

Paul Clement was born on May 25 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He hails from a Christian background but he received salvation in 2006 and has since prided himself in ministry.

He is a member of Tabernacle Bible Church and believes in being an open letter to make an impact through his ministry.

He accredits the success and message of his songs to being in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. He also believes that God’s time in people’s lives is when they discover their purpose as was the case when he found his purpose in singing.

Paul spent his formative years primarily in Songea, Dar es Salaam where he undertook his primary studies. Later, he moved to Upanga West and joined Azania Secondary school, the place where his musical talent was brought to life.

Marriage

Paul Clement married the love of his life Anna Madaha, in a lavish ceremony on December 16, 2018. He is a father of one and although he shares pictures of his wife online, he has kept his child away from the limelight.

Paul met his wife while she was still in school and the pair wed 5 years later. Anna, his wife, shares that his authenticity and humility was what drew her to him.

His family has played a major role in his music journey. His wife, for one, encourages and supports him despite how demanding and time-consuming his choice of career is, not forgetting she absolutely loves his music.

As a firm believer in excellence, Paul often consults his wife on how to actualize some of his ideas pertaining to his music videos.

Sharing in her husband’s vision, Anna sometimes screens venues to ensure that they are up to standard and ready for scheduled performances.

Paul actually attributes the success of his ministry to the prayers and support of his family.

Musical Journey

Paul Clement started singing at an early age; as early as primary school but it was in his secondary school, Azania Secondary School where his passion for music really took off.

He found himself in awe of Ben Pol’s ability to sing and after much persuasion, he got the renowned singer to teach him the ropes.

A new found passion, Paul devoted his time and efforts to practising his newly found musical talent.

He, together with his friend Samuel Limbo, now a member of Neema Gospel Choir, formed a duet called PS (Paul and Samuel). Samuel would be the first person to take Paul to a recording studio.

However, his decision to pursue a career in music would leave him at loggerheads with his father, a lawyer, and his siblings who did not believe that it was a worthwhile investment let alone a career worth pursuing.

With the budding discontentment at home, Paul Clement decided to move out of his parents home and rough it out on the streets in the year 2010 after completing his secondary school education. 

Glorious Band

Thereafter, one of his friends, Jomako persuaded Mabisa to let Paul Clement join Glorious Band where he would make an honest living. All this while, Mabisa was gracious enough to host him at his place briefly as he had to move back home to cater to his then ailing brother, who passed away briefly after the illness.

Even with these hurdles, the members of the Glorious band, particularly Mabisa got all six members of the band to contribute small amounts of money to give to Paul for his upkeep. They recorded an album called ‘Niguse’ that did well and from which he began receiving recognition.

Paul Clement: A Breakout Artist

True to the unwavering love of a mother, Paul’s mother gave him fifty shillings to pursue his dream and record his music. Despite being homeless, he was determined to pursue his calling to minister through his music.

Fast forward to a testament by Paul on how God provides, he testified on how God provided people to help him through the seasons. Having recorded his first album ‘Umeniita’ (You have called me) for three years due to  lack of finances, his breakthrough was just around the corner. God, an ever present help, provided people to help him through the seasons of uncertainty.

One such person was his friend Mawila, who agreed to record his first album for free because their fathers were friends. A simple act of kindness would change the course of his life as he knew it. Together with his friends and Ruthy Mkemwa as a background vocalist, he recorded his album and it was Prosper Mwakitalima who helped him launch his first album. 

After the launch of his album, God still showed up in mighty ways for him. For instance, Fred Msungu, now a pastor, fought for the release of his first live recording in 2013 and gave him all the proceeds from the live recording to start out his life making him one of the pioneers of live music recordings in Tanzania.

While he was in-between homes yet another one of his friends, Joel Lwaga, opened the doors to his parents’ home for Paul Clement with his parents even treating him as their very own son.

To him, Joel’s home was not just a place of shelter, but a second home that provided him with love and support. It was at Joel’s place that their budding friendship was nurtured.

It was not until 2021 that his big break would come through his most popular song, ‘Amenifanyia Amani’ which means He has given me peace. The song was a tribute to how God’s peace had calmed his heart in tumultuous moments. 

On the challenges he faced in his music journey? 

He spoke of his family’s disapproval of his choice of career as well as the fact that some people treated him with vivid contempt, even going as far as ousting him from performing on church pulpits.

Moreover, Paul Clement spoke about how a bad rap nearly made him quit music. It was his friend, G-Maarufu, who encouraged him that even if everyone else turned their backs on him, he would always be his number one supporter, words that have carried him throughout his  ministry.

Music and Discography

With hit after hit, Paul Clement has proven to be a powerhouse in the Gospel industry inspiring lives through his music. Now a record holder of 5 albums, Paul Clement’s big break, from the song ‘Amenifanyia Amani’, was from his debut album Usiyeshindwa, meaning undefeated, released in 2021.

On Spotify alone, the song remains his most popular one yet, with over 269,000 listens. From there, he went on to release his sophomore album Shabaha, in the same year, which featured songs like ‘Ebeneza’, ‘Sijawahi Ona’ and ‘Shukrani’.

His third album featured one of his most recognized songs ‘Wakati wa Mungu’ with Kenyan singer and songwriter Guardian Angel, that became a fan-favourite with over 5.8 million views on Youtube. 

His last 2 albums ‘Amani’ and ‘Zawadi’ have affirmed that his music and devotion to ministry are truly gifts that keep on giving with hits like ‘Amefanya Mungu’, ‘Ayee’, ‘Mere Man’ and ‘Mwanangu’.

Notably, his fourth album ‘Amani’ has gone on to become his second most popular album after ‘Usiyeshindwa’.

Notable Features

Paul Clement has collaborated with notable artists likes of Zoravo, Afrobeats Worship-composed of Kanji Mbugua and Rashon Murph-, Bella Kombo, Angel Benard, and Eve Nyasha Ngoloma to give us some renowned singles and EPs, the likes of ‘Nafasi’, ‘Asante’, and ‘All of My Worship’, solidifying his place in the Gospel industry.

As mentioned earlier, Joel Lwaga was instrumental in Paul Clement’s musical journey and it’s no surprise that the two have collaborated on a couple of famous hits.

Take for instance Mwana to mean of Child of God or Deni that contradicts the human belief that you must repay everything you have been given.

‘Deni’ which means to owe someone something) emphasizes the beauty of the gospel that Jesus bore our iniquity in return for nothing. ‘Mwana’ speaks volumes of God’s love for His people. Paul and Joel echo the Psalmist’s words that even in the greatest depths or in the highest skies, they cannot hide from the love of God.

The song emphasizes a message of forgiveness – that even when His people go astray, He so lovingly forgives them and draws them back to Himself.

A Great Man!

As part of his last album ‘Zawadi’, Paul Clement, in collaboration with Ruach International and Syberpic Film, starred in a movie dubbed ‘Great Man’ that tells the story of an ambitious man that defies all odds to become successful.

The movie is based on Paul Clement’s life and documents his life in and out of church and how he became the minister that he is.

The movie echoes the message of a single by John Kavishe in which he features, ‘Mungu wangu Hasaidiwi’ (meaning my God is not helped), showing how God has gotten him through the hardest of obstacles. 

As to whether we expect him to grace more cinematic screens, we do not know but we can only hope, seeing that Minister Paul Clement is a light that can truly not be hidden under a bushel.

Awards and Recognition

With hits like ‘Mwema’ amassing millions of views, there is no question as to the talent that Paul Clement possesses.

While there is yet an official award, his work continues to gain popularity throughout East Africa with ‘All of my Worship’, in which he features transcending regional borders and reaching global audiences. He has also mentored young men with his most notable protege or mentee being Zoravo.