Uganda's Jose Chameleone.[Photo/cdn01.allafrica.com]
While some local artistes decry the poor state of the music industry, foreign stars are curiously streaming in to hunt from the same forest.
Victoria Kimani was whisked away by Nigerian record label Chocolate City. And just the other day, singer Alisha Popat spoke of her imminent move to Los Angeles to polish her brand.
While a flock of local music creative leaves in search of lush deals, some foreign artistes are rooting in 254 or jetting in to seek production services to the chagrin of their Kenyan counterparts who feel unfairly played by the industry. Perhaps they have seen what they never did and are daring to explore it.
Shetta
When Shetta came to Nairobi to promote his new song, Namjua, in an exclusive interview with a Spice, he revealed why Tanzanian artistes salivate at the prospects of making it big in Kenya.
“We all know that apart from Tanzania, Kenya is the next country with a huge Kiswahili speaking populace. Our music (bongo Flava) penetrates and creates a bond with Kenyans,” he said.
It is estimated that more than 200 million people around the African Great Lakes region speak and understand the language. Working on the odds, this is a landmine.
Philo
Signed to the recently established Nigerian music outfit Support Good Music (SGM), Philo is a force to watch out for.
“There is something good in Kenya that most people in the industry haven’t tapped yet. The industry is overwrought with a vibrancy that, if put to good use, it can materialize insurmountably.” The make you happy singer is positive that he will succeed.
“I know the sound that Kenyans love, I understand their taste and I’m going to give it to them. It is definitely going to take some time to break through and so I will be patient as I get to engage with my patronage,” says Philo.
Jose Chameleone
The Ugandan star came to Kenya a penniless man. He relied on his friends’ goodwill hoping his music career would pick up. Ogopa Deejays was the biggest production label in the region and so Chameleone hacked his way up to record his first song, Bageya, with dancehall artiste Redsan.
His hustle paid off when he released his hit song Mama Mia, which propelled him. For the Leon Island boss, Kenya offered better services and prospects than his native country Uganda.
Though he spoke little Kiswahili, a decade later his story and fortunes had changed and he is in the running of the top ten richest artistes in the continent. His love for Kenya was tested when he wanted to change his citizenship to be a Kenyan.
Diamond Platnumz
Bongo star Diamond also sought the skills of Ogopa Deejays. While Tanzanians debated on who would throw down the gauntlet and dethrone Ali Kiba, Diamond discreetly came to Kenya and worked with Lucas. He knew the latter’s experience would work in his favor.
Three years ago, he did his video for the song Kesho that featured Kenya’s Avril in it. His strength has been his agile and yet working showmanship. He also used local media to promote his hit Number One, which was his launch pad.