Is This The Reason Why South African and Nigerian Music Reign Over Kenya’s?

‘Crossing the border’ is a musical term that is used to refer to a music that has a wider reach beyond the country of origin to which the musician who sang the song resides. It is usually a big hustle for Kenyan musician to cross the border with their music given the fact that South African and Nigerian music have long dominated the continental music arena.

Kenyan artistes are actually playing the second fiddle to South African and Nigerian musician even in their own back yard. Artistes like Davido,Mafikizolo, Ice Prince among others have such a big following in the country than some of the Kenyan musicians themselves. The question many ask is “Where or when did the rain start beating us?” Ten years ago we never heard of Nigerian music having such a big impact in Kenya; why could the renaissance that happened in Nigeria also happen in Kenya?

Kenyan music I would say tends to lack originality; sometimes artistes sing with Nigerian pidgin, others with Jamaican ascent while other purely tends to lean on the American style of music. The country’s music has no identity; it is hard to hear a Kenyan musician sing at an international stage then quickly identify him/her as is a Kenyan. This is so contrary of Nigerian and South Africans. Is the idea of trying to emulate other countrys’ style of music the root cause of Kenyan music not dominating the international airwaves?

Even so, a few Kenyan artistes can still give the continental power houses a run for their money; their music is not only appealing to the diverse African market but also penetrating the world as well. During his visit to Coke Studio Kenya, Nigerian artiste flavour revealed that he would love to do collaboration with singer Nameless, Wyre and of cause the song bird Victoria Kimani. Flavour disclosed his love for Nameless’ music and further admitted that at some point he thought Nameless was a Jamaican artiste. This is a good indication for the good job that some of the Kenyans are actually doing and also establishing the country’s name on the international stage.

The above article is purely my opinion; i am constitutionally entitled to one so no hard feelings.