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The newest sheng word to cause a melee in social circles definitely is Sipangwingwi. Anyone up to date with urban modern trends has joked about this defiant phrase, if not sang to the lyrics of the Hip Hop song.
This phrase has already brought divisions among the political class, with the musicians behind the hit song appearing to have been sucked into different political factions.
"Just so as to be clear, Sipangwingwi is not a political song but a party anthem and this should not be taken out of context," says Exray.
The fact is when politicians identify a song that reflects the theme of their campaigns they latch on to it to woo voters. While many condemn musicians for what they see as misuse by politicians to hype their campaigns, some artistes only care about 'securing the bag'.
“Maisha ni yangu/We shugulika na yako/Napenda za kwangu/We shugulika na kwako,” the chorus of the song goes before the refrain "sipangwingwi".
The song by Exray Taniua features 17-year-old Trio Mio and new rapping queen Ssaru.
The number that was released barely a month ago has almost two million views on YouTube and is the trending song on Tiktok as well.
It is one of the popular Kenyan songs of 2021, and its popularity has elevated the three artistes to fame. Not just that, the song is quickly tearing the singers apart as politics take centre stage with big money calling.
Just days ago, Trio Mio, performed at the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja event in Nairobi "… I will be at Kasarani in a function of none other than Baba (Raila). Come and listen to the big announcement that he is going to reveal that special day. Kama kawa, yeye hapangwingwi... yeye ndio hupangana," posted the teen sensation hours before joining the bandwagon of the campaign trails despite being underage.
Lots of people believed and complained that Trio Mio was not giving Exray the required credits. He was portrayed as trying to single-handedly run away with the new found fame.
“Sipangwingwi is my song that I have featured some amazing talent and I have no issue at all with Trio. All I know is that I do not want to be seen as endorsing any political side. Some politicians are out to use creatives," says Exray.
These sentiments were a contradiction because days later Exray, who composed the song was pictured with Deputy President William Ruto.
The Deputy President first used the term 'sipangwingwi' explaining how no one will make plans for his factions, claiming that he is a self-made man.
“Vile wakenya wamesema hawapangwingwi na mimi nataka niwaambie, mimi kama hustler sipangwingwi,” said Dr Ruto.
“Our meeting the DP was nothing political. We just met, talked and played him my songs. We completely steered off politics. This should not be taken that I am taking any side politically,” says Exray evasively.
This begs the question as to why the artistes took sides or ‘wanapangwa tu’?
Sipangwingwi, an expression many believe was coined by Exray actually got a new twist to it after Jack Kwaka Jumanne, aka Zendiambo Curedeh, came out guns blazing, accusing the singers of not crediting him for the phrase he coined over a year ago.
According to him, the track would not have been what it is without his slogan. The underground artiste also claimed that the phrase had become a brand as he prints and sells T-shirts emblazoned with the same phrase.
“The guy claiming we stole his phrase... I actually, honestly have no idea who he is, and why he would say we stole his phrase. Furthermore, it was not patented,” says Exray.
Well, the success of the song saw Exray buy a brand new car. He took to social media to show the achievement. "Sipangwingwi ndio nimefanya ninunue gari," he said.
