Who will Stand Up for Kenyan Music?

There are Kenyan artists who still do not get airplay on Kenyan radio and television stations. The explanation most radio and TV presenters give is that Kenyan artists are not creating good music and that they only have waist whining beats and sexual lyrics. So is this a genuine justification or just  red tape?

Most urban radio and television stations play western music and one only wonders what it is that is not sexual about western music.  From Trey Songz’s “slow motion” to August Alsina’s” no love”. Trey Songz describes how the lady he has brought home is hot and how he finds her sexually appetizing that he simply wants to go slow that night. Alsina on the other hand just wants a lady who can call him in the night when her husband is not around, he has no love.

From these two songs it is evident that there is no difference between Kenyan and Western music. Our artists are talented but who will know the truth if the media is not playing their songs? It is alleged that some gatekeepers ask for money in order to give airplay which is not fair if indeed it is happening.

One of the roles of the media is agenda setting and if there is an agenda that is being set by these radio and television stations  is that Kenyan artists are not talented. Other countries in Africa are playing their own national content namely Uganda and Nigeria. They promote their own and no wonder artists from these countries do not have to work part time as TV or Radio presenters or comedians. Music pays bills.

No parent disowns their child in public no matter how much damage the child has done but on reaching home that parent gives their child a whoop. It is said that Nigerians don’t listen to foreign music but the same Nigeria issued a ban on big names in their music industry.

Music Copyright society of Kenya should stop harassing artists to pay for music and promote the local talents. The media has failed the Kenyan artist but this does not mean that all is lost, for still something can be done to salvage the local talent which is on its way to extinction.