Upcoming Artist Accuses Kenyan Radio Presenters & DJs of Demanding Sex or Money To Play Songs
This is an open letter to a section of radio presenters and DJs by fast-rising dancehall artist, Blaqy, of the hit, Show Me. This guy has taken shots at all the ‘bigwigs’ in showbiz.
The Kenyan music industry has indeed come from far as facts and figures indicate but looking at the whole growth theory analytically, not all and sundry agree some are adamant like 2Pac (RIP), they see no changes. Growth comes with changes and since change is inevitable I believe it’s time we come out and give our ‘unspoken’ concerning what goes on the industry.
Let us dissect this Kenyan entertainment scene; we will call it ‘operation toboa’. I have received numerous complaints over time but I decided to play mum; not that I am scared to write, hell NO! I saved it and time is now. New Year new ways they say. Have you ever wondered why your favorite local station play lists seem to only play particular musicians? Even when their music is not all that or abysmal? And why is it that, the faces in 254 music scene remain the same for the last decade, with the number of upcoming artists who are lucky to make it mainstream less than the presidents the country has had since independent? Does it mean that there are no new talents or are there some protocols that are to be adhered to? Terms and conditions applied?
I am saying this because you and I know, there are thousands of musicians who make very good music and probably we might never get to hear of? It’s a shame. Charity begins at home and though a prophet is never honored in his home town it does not permit the relevant quarters to foot for foreign art and leave our very own to languish in absolute deplorable situation. i am left to wonder, where is the problem? For example have you noticed how much Bongo, Naija, Jamaican and American music plays in our local stations? I mean does it apply that if I went to these countries I’d get Kenyan music on high rotation? aaah ah! I don’t think so.
No wonder the biggest and best paying shows are graced by foreign who wreck in big money leaving our very own with peanuts paid as curtain raiser fee? Apart from of course NNSL (Niko Na Safaricom Live) who are doing a commendable job. I challenge us to try and look at this issue deeply. How does one stay afloat with cliché music style, ideas, lyrics, melody when the world keeps revolving? No wonder our ‘best’ after a decade will show you no album just a compilation of singles you are tired of? Literally nothing new.
BLAQY was here early this year to talk about his ups and downs. The video was not explicit but rated and compared to others far graphic that get airplay. Make me understand why you play such content yet our very own music you don’t talk of double standards or what is it? Even after spending on high quality music, presenters and DJs do not want to promote local talent, period, he continues. I can write a whole lot but allow me to do a synopsis of people adversely mentioned or rumored to be the hardest nuts to crack.
Mzazi willy m tuva of mambo mseto fame,a citizen radio and tv host in on the hangman for allegedly claiming to nurture upcoming artists who only die after their debut interview because their songs never get rotation airplay even after he promises to showcase them after praising them on jobs well executed. .ha ha ha I can’t help but laugh. Is this really true?let me not dwell on the money side of the story I.e pay for airplay.there are also claims that Mzazi plays on a high rotation Jaguar,Chameleon and Diamond .And grandpa records artist who also frequent and perform even twice in a month at the mseto wakilisha event that happens every Tuesday at club tribeka.some regular revelers say that they are tired with the recycling of artists when there are many out there who are constantly chasing tuva for a chance to showcase themselves. And then the ‘lady specie syndrome’ that goes like they must give ‘it’ for them to begiven a chance.i mean its get laid to get airplayed.i’ve heard this numerously with several presenters and DJs being accused. I will be waiting to hear their take on the latter
DJ Pinye is also on the grill as local artists accuse him coz he rarely plays local content on his show the Beat. Rumor is that, he only plays you if you are in certain monetary terms and conditions agreed upon.
G Money the HomeBoyz radio host not left out as it is alleged that he doesn’t play local Dance hallbut rather chooses to air even explicit international content. BLAQY says that it’s almost impossible to reach these radio personalities.
DJ Wesley is also said to be complicated as he tells you to email content but then it’s like he never goes through his mailbox coz u listen to their playlist its almost crammable [sic] that you even the sequence of songs. Same goes to all local stations a music fan says listener-ship is boring totally.
DJ Kalonje closes this ‘list of shame’ As artist feel that since he got on radio,he has changed and its nowadays difficult to deal with him. What happened to the play 254 music at 60% initiative? That was meant to uplift local talent and also create income? How come we still have soap operas whose themes are sexual on tv yet simple music videos are banned e.g. you guy by P unit and just recently show me by BLAQY who is currently working on a new song and is planning to visit Jamaica and parts of Europe to shoot the next video
But it’s not all that bad as Willis Raburu has been honored for tweeting and retweeting new music and art content that is shared on his timeline without bias. Club DJs are also doing brilliant job as they play music that’s not played on radio and TV. Guess that’s it, pheeeew! So much going on in this music industry.
I will be waiting to hear their take on the latter.
Signed
Do you agree with him?
UPDATE: We contacted the people adversely mentioned in this story, and here are their responses: https://www.ghafla.co.ke/news/music/item/15146-kenya-s-music-bigwigs-respond-to-upcoming-artistes-claims-that-they-are-rotten
