INSIGHT: How Rapper DNA Hijacks Other People’s Songs And Makes Them Sound Like His Own

Rapper DNA has a smart way of taking over people’s songs and making them sound like his own. While listening to the ‘Welle Welle’ remix, I kept on wondering how he managed to convince Timmy, the original owner of the song to give him two semi-choruses as well as a verse yet other featured artistes just got one verse each.

DNA was invited to Timmy and Rap Damu’s turf, and proceeded to spray-paint his name all over it. Maybe he bullied the guy. But that’s not the first time DNA has taken over a track that wasn’t his. He’s the don of that kind of venture. He’s domineering and hard to ignore. And that’s a good thing.

Over the years, DNA has kept on crushing the unspoken rules of a guest rapper. While the ‘Welle Welle’ remix shook up the showbiz scenes last month thanks to DNA and king Kaka’s versess, recent history is littered with overbearing of the former Grandpa rapper’s cool but lyrically deprived verses taking over a song. Here’s some of the best examples of artistic undermining by DNA …

Dumbala remix

“Wanasema dumba kumbe ni jasho.” I don’t know what DNA means with this lyric. Still, he manages to be the most memorable voice in a scattered and forgettable remix. Jay A, the owner of the track raps like a high school kid at a Debate Club funkie. The rest of the rappers seem lost. DNA rules it

Fimbo/Chapa

Although this is clearly the end product of a record label meeting gone awry never let it be said that Grandpa Records doesn’t support young talent. The label knows how to drive traffic, and this lump of saccharine bubblegum pop full of lost rookies was never going to be too difficult for DNA to save. He did, show the power of a good rap cameo to garner a reaction. Even if most of it was open-mouthed incredulousness. This was meant to be a group song but it ended up a DNA song

Kamua Leo

Although it would pain Kidis to admit it, DNA stole his crown on his breakout song. On his verse, the kingpin of easy-flow music invites us into his world of aspirational living and partying, just after Kidis has invited us into his world of newcomer seriousness. He gives us a change of pace, cementing his position as this generation’s heist king

Una

The guest verse holds a legendary level of importance in music. It’s often through featured appearances that new stars are minted and current ones reassert their dominance. At the time P-Unit, released this jam, DNA had just emerged and he was more than eager to show why he was the boss

Verdict? Quite simply, it’s always exciting to hear a talent shine outside of the confines and comfort of their own solo work. Even though his lyrics aren’t bulky enough to be marvelous, DNA has saved many songs that would otherwise have been whack. And he does this through hard work and the desire to remain relevant.