Kenyan gospel artist Hopekid has revealed that he turned down a lucrative brand ambassador deal worth nearly KSh 10 million at the height of the controversy that nearly destroyed his career.
The singer, whose real name is Simon Peter, opened up about the decision during an interview on the Alex Mwakideu Podcast, describing it as one of the most difficult yet defining choices of his life.
According to Hopekid, the offer came in 2019 when he was battling the fallout from a highly publicized scandal that saw him and fellow gospel musician DK Kwenye Beat dominate headlines across the country.
At the time, his reputation had taken a severe hit. Churches stopped inviting him to minister, corporate partners withdrew their support, and opportunities that had once come easily suddenly disappeared.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Hopekid says he chose to prioritize his faith over what many would have considered a life-changing financial opportunity.
Speaking candidly about the proposal, Hopekid revealed that two major brands approached him with an endorsement deal estimated at between Sh 9.5 million and Sh 10 million.
One of the companies was an alcohol brand while the other manufactured condoms.
The singer explained that the brands wanted to capitalize on the intense public attention surrounding his scandal at the time. Rather than distance themselves from the controversy, they viewed it as a marketing opportunity.
“2019 I think niliacha almost 10 million ikapita,” Hopekid recalled during the interview.
According to him, the companies believed his newfound notoriety would generate significant publicity for their products and wanted him to become their brand ambassador.
The proposal arrived at a time when he was struggling financially and emotionally.
The scandal had significantly affected Hopekid’s standing within the gospel industry. He recalled losing endorsement opportunities and facing rejection from churches that had previously welcomed him.
Hopekid revealed that he was struggling to meet basic obligations, including paying rent and maintaining his lifestyle. The endorsement deal therefore presented a tempting solution to many of the challenges he was facing.
Hopekid said accepting the deal would have contradicted the values he stood for as a gospel artist and minister.
While acknowledging the financial benefits attached to the offer, he insisted that some opportunities come at too high a personal cost.
The singer explained that endorsing alcohol and condoms would have conflicted with the message he had spent years preaching through his music and ministry.
Hopekid described the decision as choosing his calling over immediate financial gain. He maintained that while money is important, it should never become more valuable than one’s beliefs.
In 2019, Hopekid and DK Kwenye Beat found themselves at the center of allegations made by a young woman who claimed the artists had sexually exploited her and exposed her to a sexually transmitted infection.
The allegations sparked widespread public debate and drew criticism from fans, religious leaders, and fellow gospel musicians. The controversy dominated entertainment headlines for months and significantly impacted both artists’ careers.
Hopekid has consistently maintained that some of the allegations were untrue and has previously stated that investigations eventually failed to produce sufficient evidence to support criminal prosecution.
Nevertheless, the scandal left a lasting mark on his public image.
Seven years later, Hopekid says the experience taught him valuable lessons about faith, resilience, and purpose.
