The Kenyan music scene is in turmoil once again, and this time the drama is almost louder than the music itself. Otile Brown’s manager, Mumbi Maina, has reportedly stepped down after barely a year in the role, sparking a flurry of reactions from fellow artists—and plenty of social media shade.
Bien Throws First Punch with a Viral Soundtrack
Sauti Sol’s Bien-Aimé Baraza wasted no time commenting on the news. He reposted a story about Mumbi’s departure and cheekily added his own viral track, “All My Enemies Are Suffering,” as the soundtrack. Fans immediately interpreted this as a subtle jab at Otile Brown, implying that Bien was celebrating Otile’s misfortune.
Otile Fires Back on Instagram
Otile Brown didn’t take the shade lightly. He launched into a fiery Instagram Stories rant, accusing Bien of being fake, attention-seeking, and addicted to social media clout. According to Otile, Bien is constantly inserting himself into trending conversations just to stay relevant, particularly on TikTok and gossip blogs.
KRG the Don Steps In with a Reality Check
Not to be left out, Dancehall artist KRG the Don joined the fray, calling for calm—and throwing in his own blunt commentary. Using his Instagram Stories, KRG criticized the constant bickering among Kenyan artists:
“I don’t understand our local artists anymore. They like fighting over nothing all the time. You’re all struggling in life!! The real enemy is poverty.”
KRG didn’t stop there. In what many saw as both support and a roast, he urged fans to stream Otile Brown’s music, implying that Otile is struggling emotionally and creatively:
“Please help Otile by listening to his music again. That’s all he knows how to do in this world. He can’t do anything else. I’m begging you on his behalf.”
“He’s almost crying now. He’s beefing with everyone just to stay relevant. Next time Otile, if you get favours again, be humble. Usikule stock.”
“We Need Unity, Not Plot 10 Drama”
KRG then called for unity in the industry, comparing Kenya’s infighting to “Plot 10 children” squabbling over petty issues:
“Artists from other countries are uniting on projects and elevating their culture globally. We’re stuck fighting. Meanwhile, Kenya is home to international acts—our artists don’t even realize that others around Africa dream of gaining Kenyan recognition.”
Backlash Over “Local Artist” Comment
KRG’s pointed reference to Bien as a “local artist” sparked immediate backlash, with fans quick to defend Bien’s global credentials. From sold-out international tours to high-profile collaborations, Bien has emerged as one of Kenya’s most internationally visible musicians.
While Otile’s management shake-up remains the spark, the broader fallout reveals deeper tensions in Kenya’s music industry—from the challenges of staying relevant to the pressures of fame and the constant battle for dominance in an evolving digital landscape.
Whether this latest feud fizzles out or escalates further remains to be seen. One thing’s clear: in Kenya’s music scene, the drama never stops.
