A number of Central Kenya musicians have recently shot to national limelight after releasing controversial songs that seemed to put them at odds even with their fans.
The latest to join this group of controversial artists is the renowned secular Kikuyu artist Kimani Wa Turacco of the 'Paloma' fame. This follows his recent release of the 'Hatuna Deni, Kitaeleweka' song that simply tells DP William Ruto to forget the Kikuyu vote come 2022.
In one phrase that would even pierce a stone, Wa Turacco rudely tells Ruto that the only 'debt' he (Kimani) has is that of M-Shwari. Sounds like an insult to the DP. Isn't it? Of course, the song is Wa Turacco's personal opinion as he represents no electoral constituency.
But WaTuracco is not the pioneer of this batch of Kikuyu artists as ahead of him there were the likes of John De'Mathew, Kamande Wa Kioi to name but a few. So, why this controversy?
First, all of us know that controversy sells big time and this is not only limited to Kikuyu musicians. It is everywhere. In this era where everybody believes that they can sing and want our attention, it is only wise for an artist to package himself/herself differently in order to stand out from the rest. Courting controversy is one way.
Second, past experience has shown that a large section of Central residents seems to rhyme well with such compositions. For instance, Demathew's song 'Wituite Hiti' (You have turned yourself into a hyena) released in 2013 proved to be a hit song.
The song was flagged as 'hateful' by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and De'mathew was arraigned in court to answer to hate speech allegations. Also, just this year another song 'Ikamba' that openly castigated the Kamba community again saw its composers hulled to court to answer to hate speech charges.
Finally, these artists can be said to be opportunistic. They seem to ride on the old adage, "strike the iron when it is still hot". Wa Turacco, for instance, decided to capitalise on the surging debate on Uhuru succession which has drawn a hot national debate.
The artist was, therefore, sure that his song which has since gone viral, would evoke emotions, double his fame and in the process 'fatten' his pocket.