A 13-year journey comes full circle
According to reports, Okello was introduced to Fally's music by his friend Amlyoto about 13 years ago. What began as a simple recommendation developed into an influence that stayed with him as he pursued his own career.
Years later, the Kenyan singer found himself preparing to share a stage with the same artiste whose music had helped inspire him.
That meeting gave the story a sense of completion.
“So sitting next to him is an honour. I love your work, sir. I am also honoured to be sharing a stage with him,” Okello said.
Fally's wider influence on Kenyan music
Fally Ipupa's influence extends beyond individual artistes.
The Congolese star has built a career around blending Congolese rumba with contemporary African and international sounds. His ability to move between traditional musical foundations and modern production has helped make his work accessible to audiences far beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo.
That approach resonates with Kenyan artistes who are also experimenting with different sounds while retaining elements of their cultural identities.
Okello's own music follows a similar broad approach. His work combines Dholuo influences with Afro-soul, rumba, Afro-R&B and other contemporary styles.
From church choir to Pan-African sound
Fally was not the only influence in Okello's musical journey.
The singer has previously spoken about growing up in a musical family and joining church choir sessions under the guidance of his late uncle. He also grew up around rhumba and taarab while living in Lamu.
His professional breakthrough came in 2019 when he featured as a background vocalist on Sauti Sol's “Extravaganza” before releasing his debut single, “Kiss”.
By 2025, Okello was already being recognised for pushing beyond one musical identity. His album Healing was described as an attempt to explore different sounds and reach a wider African and international audience.
A changing generation of Kenyan artistes
Okello's story illustrates how today's Kenyan musicians are increasingly finding inspiration across Africa rather than limiting themselves to local influences.
For some, artistes such as Fally Ipupa represent proof that African sounds can travel internationally without losing their cultural identity.
For Okello, the journey from discovering Fally's music to eventually sharing a stage with him captures that possibility.
The influence may have started with one friend's recommendation more than a decade ago, but it has now become part of a much larger story about how African artistes inspire one another across borders.
