They Try But Fail. This Is Why Kenyan Secular Female Singers Have, Do Not And Will Never Make It In The Industry (Part 1)
Someone said that shallow brooks dry quick, empty debes make the loudest noise and that a liar needs the smartest of minds and a very clear memory. So is borrow and morrow that rhyme so well with sorrow.
Before I confuse you further with these cliché phrases, let me make a quick u-turn and start afresh. The Kenyan music industry, especially the secular section of it has seen beautiful singers with inviting figures, curvaceous and contoured bodies and sweet voices bow in with respect and admiration only to fall with a thud and so much shame that many of us have found it difficult to tell this to the world.
Today, I am bold enough to tell it on their phases. It is difficult for a reasonable man to face a lady and tell her her weaknesses, especially in public. However, since I cannot find a proper channel to air my disgust at what our ladies are doing, I am compelled to belch and vomit at them, however in a constructive way, in public.
While the Kenyan gospel industry is trying its best to remain relevant in the world of singing, Kenyan female singers in the secular industry have continuously proved that they are third, fourth or fifth fiddle to their counterparts from East Africa and beyond.
I will start off with the closest examples that we all know. Tanzania’s Lady Jay Dee is a veteran in the music industry in East Africa and beyond. She has a decade or so in her music career and she seems to be stronger each day, each moment.
Lady Jay Dee
Her counterpart, Ray C, who is arguably my best songbird in East Africa despite being embroiled in drug abuse scandals, pornography and many more sagas that almost threw her career into limbo, has continued to show signs of her old self; the singing mojo that clearly defined her for long periods showing some flashes after that rehabilitation spearheaded by her president, Jakaya Kikwete.
Many more female artistes from Tanzania keep sprouting and flourishing despite the challenges that they face. They include the likes of Shaa who recently did a collabo with Kenya’s dancehall king Redsan.
Ray C
Shaa winning a collabo with Redsan is no mean feat itself. Redsan is an international artist who has done great singles that have not only earned himself a name but also for Kenya. This again shows how hard Tanzanian female singers work to establish a good reputation and name for themselves.
Away from Tanzania where the least of female singers is endless, I take a boat through Lake Victoria to Museveni’s kingdom.
Here, Juliana Kanyamozi is the greatest name in the singing industry. She adds up as a radio queen in her country. She is a songbird to admire. Her music is credibly appealing to the listeners.
Juliana Kanyamozi
Despite the challenges that come with singing, Juliana has managed to remain strong in the industry. She is among the many Ugandan singers who have overcome the strong tides and manoeuvred through the difficult times. Juliana is a household name not only in Uganda but also in East Africa and beyond.
There are many more female singers from Uganda who have managed to remain relevant for long periods of time and who give their male counterparts a run for their money.
Back to our beloved country Kenya. Who has bewitched our beautiful singers? It is crystal clear that our female artists have failed or are unable to sustain themselves in the music industry.
Those who tried to remain relevant found it hard partly because they lacked the experience to do so and partly because the Kenyan environment is not conducive enough to encourage and nurture their talent.
As much as I may sound more of a hater than a counsellor, it is prudent if you pointed out a female musician from Kenya who came, conquered and remained relevant like the likes of Lady Jay Dee, Ray C and Juliana Kanyamozi. I stand to be corrected if there is any.
To be precise, no Kenyan female artist has managed to sustain herself in the industry, to hit the international scenes like other foreign musicians like Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage of Nigeria, Jay Dee and Ray C of Tanzania among others.
A closer examination into the reasons why this is the case helped us discover a number of factors behind the collapse of female artists in Kenya. From digging their own graves to the societal factors, the female singing skill is an endangered one in Kenya.
From desire to impress to lack of enough support, kind payments to egocentrism, all are covered here, under one roof.
