I love both Kenyan and American hip hop music. I hate something else too, and that’s seeing underground rappers suffer. Over the years, no one has been able to block the various tides of filth that are crippling our talented lads. I have plenty of friends who are underground dawgs, hence I am aware of the challenges they face. it’s about time somebody stepped up.

Lack of airplay

Last week, Rabbit took to Instagram to air his concerns about limited airplay for Kenyan music. This is exactly what he said

“Morning #teamH_art .Our message and prayer today is that let no-one make you believe that kenya has no great musicians nor talent because one thing for sure kenya has one of the greatest musicians in the world we just have to believe in our sound and voice and listen to music beyond the beats.the message and sweetness sometimes is hidden in the lyrics,so take a minute more to listen to lyrics…
#teamH_art LETS SUPPORT KENYAN MUSIC AND LETS WORK TOWARDS TAKING KENYAN MUSIC BEYOND BORDERS & BOUNDARIES”

His point was valid. Underground rappers understand the struggle of limited airplay, more than anyone else. There are only few shows dedicated to Kenyan hip hop music. If only radio stations would spam us with Kenyan hip hop, the way they spam us with international commercial hip hop, everyone would eventually fall in love with the local rhymes. Some promoters and deejays argue that the music is not good enough. But that’s not it. Not even close. The music is great- it’s awesome. it’s a treasure in a cave, It just needs to be discovered and donned. 

Being underrated

Underground rappers are used to gazes of disdain by the public. More often than not, they are ridiculed for not making the right career moves. They are told that their music isn’t selling because it isn’t good enough.

In truth, there are plenty of dope mcees in the alleys of Kibera and Mathare. There are rappers who are lyrically better than Khaligraph, Octopizzo and Rabbit. However, just like everywhere else in the world, these guys are shoved aside together with their because they don’t smell like money.

Being underpaid

Underground rappers earn less and foot all their professional costs by themselves. This is mainly because their fan bases are small. The Mdundo issue clearly proved this. In as much as I have unrivaled respect for underground rappers, I felt that most of them were wrong for complaining about being paid very little monies by Mdundo. It’s a business, not a charity. If people are not downloading your music, why should Mdundo pay you a huge some? That doesn’t make sense does it?

But all this results from the challenge of low marketing power and limited fan bases. Most of the time, there’s nothing these artistes can do about it. They just keep producing music while hoping they;ll eventually break out and sell out someday. What we need however, is more people who believe in hip hop music. People who believe in underground rappers the way Dj Pinye believed in Octo. People who can help market them and give them resources.Everyone needs a helping hand

No shows hence no exposure

Underground rappers struggle with getting shows. Even the good mcees rarely get the opportunity to rock at grand stages. It has almost become a song. Complaints keep flooding. These rappers decry being relegated to lower-tier projects or being excluded altogether from any money making opportunities. Some even talk about kukanyagiwa by bigger artistes.

Promoters still prefer recycling rappers who were relevant five years ago, just because those former guns are known. The platforms to shine and get known just don’t come by easy for underground rappers. And that’s  ashame