Kenya, are we ready for an International star?

Story: Nasta

Photo: Courtesy

And so on October 6^th of this year one of  the greatest Hiphop showdown in East Africa came to pass, with Rick Ross taking it back to the Serengeti to give Tanzania an electrifying performance. Going by the numbers of those in attendance (around 22K), it is no doubt that the event was a massive one. While it was an honor to the region, it did bring sharp focus to Kenya’s (in)ability to host such a mega concert.

When the final confirmation of Rozay’s performance in Dar was announced, Kenyan events connector i.e promoter and Hiphop activist Buddha Blaze , went to twitter to cite reasons that have made it difficult for Kenyan promoters and corporate sponsors to fly in foreign artistes for performances on Kenyan soil. A day after the hyped performance, Blaze was once again on twitter, taking shots at the blockades hampering the likes of Rick Ross to tour Kenya. Topping his list of grievances was the fans seemingly cold reception to international acts. On one of his twitter convos, the King Of Bold event MC talks on a light note of fans that leave their houses for an event at Carnivore, only to detour at a nearby pub for drinks.

In yet another conversation Blaze insinuated that a lot of Kenyan fans often complain about the high price of concert tickets and only handful of them do turn up for a concert. A case in point was during last year’s Tusker Allstar concert which was headlined by Cabo Snoop, Shaggy and rapper Eve, so bad was the attendance turning out to be, that EABL, the concert sponsors, had to open up the gates of Carnivore to all and sundry to get in for free. The beer makers even provided transport to and from the venue, again FOR FREE.

BTW, together with Usher and Keri Hilson, Rick Ross had been EABL’s first choice for the last year’s concert, only for the company to settle for Eve and the rest as an afterthought. Just how did that came to be?

A statement that was released at the time by EABL publicists indicated that the Ruaraka based company had ‘image issues’ with the 350 pounds, heavy bearded God Forgives, I Don’t rapper. However, we all know that was nothing but a PR thingy.  The real issue was that the cost of hosting Rick Ross, Usher and Keri, all of who are A-list artists proved to be way too expensive.

How then is it that the same rapper whose show EABL wouldn’t sponsor a year back, flies to the neighboring Tanzania and holds it down under the sponsorship of the same EABL?

While it is true that in Tanzania fans are more likely to show up at a concert in huge numbers, in comparison to their Kenyan counterparts. The real concern amongst many promoters is the Kenyan Tax regime on performing international artists. This is how Buddha blaze breaks it down:-

Blaze advises the Kenyan people to push the government into amending the tax laws on foreign artists, but also terms Kenya as a Snobbish Market.

Related Story: Review of Tusker Allstar

For more follw: @DakikaMedia

THESE ARE OUR HEROES

Story by Chris Prodigy
Photos: Courtesy

October   is here with us once again, with it comes a great significance to us as a Kenyan people. Even of greater significance is its 20^th day, a day that has been set aside to accord our heroes the respect they deserve. when I  talk  about  our heroes I’m referring  to  Dedan Kimathi, Tom Mboya  and other heroes on the same spectrum. I consent  the above mentioned  played an imperative  role in liberating  Kenya, but  I also think  iconz like  K-shaka  also deserve to   be accorded the same respect   as our heroes.  I also think they (Kalamashaka) deserve more than footnote coverage in the history book.  I am not being disrespectful  to our founding fathers, but ask  a  person who has grown up in the 80’s  and 90’s , who he can identify more easily with; K-shaka  or our founding father? Don’t get me wrong I’m not undermining  what our heroes  did, some went to the extent of sacrificing their lives , in order for our country to be liberated and I  applaud them  for that- no sarcasm or pan intended, seriously I applaud them straight from the heart.

After gaining independence  we thought  that  our country will be the land of milk and honey,  bt the harsh reality begun to seep in,  the justice system became  the mockery of freedom, poverty begun to bite, people were judged according to class, being a youth was a crime, if you were from the ghetto that made it worse, you were eligible to catch a bullet, We lacked the medium to express ourselves, being poor was seen as a kind of  Nemesis and we were contended  with that state,  mental liberation was a mirage.  

However, in 1995 something happened; a Swahili rap trio was formed consisting of Johny Vigeti, Kama and Roba Oteraw. This marked an era, an era of revolution. The group boldly addressed police brutality, the issue of poverty , and classism; Before Kalamashaka  mere mentioning of the  poor man’s  pain and  fighting for justice was synonymous to  welcoming the grim reaper, being in the ghetto was like serving  a life sentence behind mental bars , hope  never existed in our dictionary, but thanks to K-shaka  for substituting the word despair with hope. There lyrics were not only captivating, but  the lyrics were also enlightening , impossible was substituted  with we can, breaking free from the mental bondage  was  likened to wishful thinking  , but through their lyrics they made it a tangible reality, their lyrics were beyond mundane, the knowledge they kicked  could be equated to the mind behind the pyramids. They moved the crowd not with the “kapuka” oriented themes, but with kinetic wisdom, everything they kicked was bereft of ignorance. I can safely say that K-shaka paved way for other hiphop artists  and I find it preposterous when some rappers who are lyrically breathing, because of K-shaka  acting rather impertinent, it’s like trying to bite the hand that feeds you. Yep, I agree that K-shaka should be the epitome of morality that the youth should adhere to, but it should also be noted that nobody is perfect, everyone has his flaws.

Jay-z once said, “How does it feel assessing something from the outside looking in, most of the times you might be wrong”.  I know it’s debatable if Kalamashaka have lived up to the legendary status, bt someone once said, “Before you judge, walk a mile in my shoes and you will get the clear view”.

Next time the nation will be glued on TV immortalizing our founding fathers, I will be bumping Ni wakati, Nairrobery, Dandora Burning and other legends who befit the honors. Before I sign out   I would like to big up the meager section of the media, true hiphop fans and other like-minded individuals for showing love to the legends.