Are Kenyan DJs and presenters followers of foreign Djs?

Most of our Kenyan musicians are complaining about our own Djs who seem to be following what is trending in other countries instead of showing their counterparts what Kenya has for the world. They should be promote music and be proud of it so that they may be followed too.

Titi Solomon: Artist and crusader for Kenyan music

Kenya has great music that is not known at home because our Djs have not been keen to promote it on Radio, TV and clubs. Some radio presenters have even been competing with artists on celebrity status hence they sometimes avoid playing their music for fear that it will make them celebrities. Some presenters dedicate most of their airplay to a few production houses that are ready to part with some incentives from time to time. In such case they do rubbish any rival production houses' productions and term them as being of low quality. One thing that our presenters and Djs do not know is that the foreign artists they keep promoting here in Kenya are known internationally because they were discovered and promoted by media houses and entertainment resorts in their countries. What we forget is that there is both good and poor quality music in South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania and other foreign countries but it is just that we receive the best that has been promoted by their resourceful DJs who take their time to listen and choose the best to play. In Kenya it is the opposite. Our radio Djs don't have time to listen and research for good music but just want to know what is trending on the international entertainment circles. Some songs like DNA's Banjuka came to be hits after as a result of pushing by the Club Djs before it was embraced as a fresh hit. This is long after it had been in existence without air play.

What Kenyan artists are agitating for is a fair play and patriotism of our own Radio and TV Djs. There is a lot of good music in Kenya and all we need is promotion locally before we conquer the world.

MCSK SEEMS TO BE TAKING A NEW PATH BY DECLARING A FIGHT FOR THE ARTISTS' RIGHTS

The day is Monday on 7th of September 2015 and Nairobi Region MCSK members are gathered in an event at Nyayo stadium. The purpose of the event being to vet the members so as to route out ghost members who earn free money from the society denying the genuine members their hard earned sweat.

MCSK, PRISK and Kamp Directors at the Nyayo gymnasium hall

Inside the basket ball gymnasium are applauds from members who seem to enjoy the presentations by directors are giving on the progress and achievements that the society has made to date. This is the opposite of what has been always been witnessed during such meetings in the past. In attendance, there were other CMOs namely PRISK and Kamp who have resolved to work together with MCSK for the full benefit of the artists. From the look there are signs that artists are developing some trust in the current directors because they have promised to  fight the ills that been fleecing the poor artists to enrich a few who do not know the challenges artists face in order to make music.It is said that in the past former directors were corruptly colluding with other service providers, radio and TV stations to fleece the artists. If the current Directors walk their talk then we expect our artists to start living decent lives that match their celebrity status.

 At the moment there are measures that have been put in place to streamline and improve monitoring of airplay, collections and also accountability. A new monitoring system called VERICAST that was adopted by MCSK will ensure that the artist is in a position to monitor whenever and wherever his/her music is being played. The income derived out of the airplay will be seen trickling hence accountability.

Further to this there are artists who have come together under a union called KENUM that is now championing the rights of artists.The purpose of KENUM is to put ensure that the Government, MCSK and other stakeholders bring favourable changes in the industry so that artists can reap from their sweat.The union has urged more artists to enroll with it so as for them to speak together as one strong voice.

Below see more photos taken during the event;

Titi Solomon

MCSK Chairman Mr Mukaisi with CEO Mr. Maurice Okoth

Chairman Kamp

Mr. Mabele, GM  Kamp

CEO  Okoth introducing a service provider Mr Ben

Members following the proceedings

From left Bwire, Bandasson & Abedi

Abedi & Titi solomon

One of the artists entertaining the members