Since the release of Ethic’s new song Tarimbo, social media has been abuzz with a section of Kenyans supporting the group’s effort and talent while others condemned the production, terming it vulgar.
Of those against the song is Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) CEO, Dr. Ezekiel Mutua, who on Friday, took to Facebook to air his disappointment.
In his rant, Dr. Ezekiel Mutua revealed that he had spoken to Google to take down the song as it promoted rape among women.
“I have spoken to Google to take down the damn crap called Tarimbo by Ethic Entertainment which advocates for rape of women. Promoting violence against women is criminal.
“The DCI should arrest the entire bunch of musicians called Ethic, under Article 33, for going beyond the prescribed delimitations on freedom of expression by advocating for violence against women.” wrote Mutua.
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Recently joining the KFCB’s boss in condemning the Genge group was Former Kenyan Prime Minister’s son, Raila Junior who in a lengthy Facebook post not only criticized the not so “ethically correct” song but questioned the integrity of the team that put the song together.
“Hey so #ethic have dropped a new song on 1st November 19 on their YouTube channel the song called #tarimbo is at the very least controversial, with suggestive lyrics and visuals that may whether purposely or coincidentally be construed to show an intruder in a domicile has drawn sharp criticism online for what of a better word may be not “ethically correct”.
“In the song the most controversial lyrics are those off the hook sang by reckless “me humwaga bila ata permission” suggestive of ejaculating inside a female without consent has a heavy connotation of rape, this also paired with the groups artist SWAT being shown seated in a lounge with a balaclava may or may not also been seen to construe a burglar in someone’s premises with ladies dancing all around,” he began by saying.
Faulted production team
Raila Junior continues to question how the song went through production with no query from the production team. The once die-hard Ethic fan feels the group might have been blinded by ratings and fame and for that reason, would not be playing anymore of their songs.
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“After listening to the song a couple of times myself as a producer, it’s hard to see how the controversial lyrics passed through all the artists and developers working on the project without being checked.
“For those unaware in the past I have praised Ethic for their creativity and unique sound that’s original and fresh, however I feel in trying to outdo themselves while chasing ratings they may have overstepped the bold line of what is ethically correct, I won’t be dancing to this song nor will I play it and that’s my personal choice,” said Raila Junior.
Mentorship
The former Prime Ministers son who added that instead of condemning the young group, he would reach out to their manager to help mentor them.
“Having personally known the band and their manager I shall be reaching out to them on a personal level to help guide and counsel the impressionable young men. I will seek to guide rather than condemn them as I feel they hold the key to reaching what may be an already marginalized and isolated part of society of young urban inner city youth
“Being new to the limelight they need to be made aware of their spear of influence on impressionable young Kenyans.”
