Legendary Burundian-Kenya based musician, Jean-Pierre ‘Kidum kibido’ Nimbona, says he does not regret having many children, albeit with different women.
The 50-year-old singer is a father of seven, with his firstborn being a 30-year-old.
“I was very young when I had my first child. My firstborn, who now lives in Canada, is 30. I don’t regret having many children, it’s something I’m very proud of. Even my current wife who is expectant, if she ends up blessed with ten children, I will be delighted.” Kidum avers.
The bubbly singer has been in two marriages that didn’t work out, but he’s happy they produced him a lineage.
“I would never blame anyone for my failed marriages. Marriage is about two people, each with their flaws, and that’s why they fall apart. But as you grow, you keep learning and getting wiser.” he says.
As his marriages crumbled, Kidum says that after separating from his ex-wives, he took all his children from their respective mothers and raised them single-handedly.
“I kept all my children and they are all grown up. After my first child, I had two more with my Burundian ex-wife. I am now married to a Kenyan and we have children too. I now have seven biological children and others I have adopted. adds Kidum, who is now in his third marriage.
The singer says he is now more settled and wiser in his current marriage.
“My current marriage is meant to last a lifetime. It’s the longest of my marriages. We have been together since 2010,” the Telenovela hitmaker adds.
As for his music, Kidum has addressed the concerns of many fans and social media critics who feel the singer has dropped off the radar in recent years.
But he says that while he may not be releasing as much new music as he used to, he has been busy doing live performances with his band in and outside the country.
“It happens when you are a celebrity. When you have been releasing hits for a long time, it gets to the point where you have no more hits. The good thing about hits is that you have been discovered and confirmed as good enough. Nobody can ever take that away from you. Kidum argues.
He adds.
“Besides, when the public gets used to seeing you, it will come to a point where the public will now be looking for a new replacement for you. These are the dynamics in music that we have to accept. The most important thing is to maintain your standard. Do you expect R Kelly to have another hit? Your guess is as good as mine, but R Kelly is still a G.O.A.T.”