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