Local musicians in Kenya have taken to the streets to vent their frustration at local media in the country for dedicating majority of airplay to music from other countries especially Nigeria and South Africa.
The Kenya Musician Movement (KENAM) recently protested the lack of airplay, demanding 70 per cent for Kenyan music on all platforms. The protesters are calling coming in the heels of a directive by the government to all Kenyan TV station to screen 60 per cent of the local content, this is yet to be realized.
According Mitch Wyclif, a publicist for beat ya Keggah production label, ‘we are demanding for 70 per cent airplay from our local media as we see only Tanzania and Nigeria music being aired.
The media has turned to be the most corrupt platform. One has to bribe producers of shows and DJs in order to get airplay in their station.’
In recent times, Nigerian pop stars like Davido, Iyanya, Wizkid, Yemi Alade and others have all headlined sold out concerts in Kenya and this is not the first time Kenyan musicians will face off with Nigerian acts. In March 2015, Kenyan fans took to social media to slam HKN boss, Davido over his poor performance in the country.
Also in January 2015, Kenyan rapper Mwafreeka fired shots at Nigerian rapper, Ice Prince and then he apologised a few days later. All that, of course, is not forgetting the beef between Kenyan rapper Jaguar and MMMG lead act Iyanya a few months back…
