In 2013 almost every song that got bodies moving from matatus to the club had one thing in common, the magical chant ‘na imetoka grandpa’ at the introduction part.
It was some form of Midas touch that made you acknowledge that the song was going to be a hit if not ruling the airwaves entirely.
Grandpa records located in the outskirts of Kibera was home to some of Kenya’s prolific artistes ranging from celebrated rappers such as DNA, Kenrazy, sosuun, Visita, Gkon to sassy songstress Gin ideal and dancehall flame Dufla Diligon before its sudden dwindle and mass exit of the musicians.
Fast forward approximately 5 years later the stable remains deserted only housing little known upcoming artists whose music hardly gets to mainstream media.
The latest act to walk out of the label was rede hitmaker Gin ideal who vehemently refused to divulge details as to why she left.
When approached for comment the label’s owner who was also a rapper in his early years Refigah vehemently dismissed claims that grandpa was on its deathbed terming the assertions as ‘rubbish’.
Refigah has been a subjected of blame and criticism from estranged artistes with a rapper once accusing him of “putting his own selfish interests first”.
Grandpa is however set to launch branches in Uganda and Rwanda even as it is fighting to reclaim the significant spot it once held in Kenya’s music scene.