Renowned Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi and popular rapper Femi One have elicited massive reactions online after they were involved in an ugly spat over the status of the Kenyan music industry.
It all started with Omondi claiming that Kenyan artists are lazy, adding that as far as he is concerned, the Kenyan entertainment scene especially the music industry is dead.
“The Kenyan entertainment scene is dead! We have lost our glory. We have become a cemetery. It is utter disgrace that our musicians have become mere curtain raisers for international acts. We have become clowns in our own land. Every weekend there is a group of 3 or 4 foreign artists in this city Nairobi.
“Gengetone is dead and buried. Today i see @joemuchiri1 heading down to Nanyuki for the monthly Amapiano tour. Guys we have a monthly South African themed music festival in our country!!! We have lost our glory!!! in less than two weeks we had Etana, Omahley and Konshens is on his way. Where are the Kenyan concerts???? We have become redundant, predictable and boring. We need to put in the work, to reclaim our glory we have to invest in our art,” Omondi’s statement read in part.
Responding to Omondi, Femi claimed the comedian had tried his luck in music and failed terribly, that is why he is bitter.
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“Lol Tanzania siku mbili ukafundishwa sarakasi ndio inafanya uongeee mbaya hivi kuhusu KE artists! Some comedians and presenters/bloggers belittle and disrespect KE artists day in day out and some of them tried to be musicians and failed terribly at it…Heshima idumu,” she tweeted.
File image of Kenyan rapper Femi One. [Photo: Courtesy]
Her tweet caught the attention of Omondi who urged her to focus on music other than attacking “Africa’s President of Comedy”.
Omondi further told Femi One to back t studio and work on a hit, arguing that her last biggest song was ‘Utawezana’, which he claims succeeded because of Mejja and Azziad.
“First of all umetoa wapi nguvu ya ku address president, secondly when was the last time ulifanya kitu ya maana kwa hii Industry? Ngoma yako ya last nakumbuka ni Utawezana na hata ilikua ya Mejja na Azziad. The sooner you guys (Musicians) realise that your Industry is in a limbo the better it will be for you. Denial will not take you anywhere start by accepting the facts!!! Your industry needs to urgently wake up!
“You have become mediocre, lazy and complacent. Leave your comfort zones now… Wewe Femi One enda studio kabla nikutafte nikuchune maskio. Guys I mean no harm I just think we can do better!!! Wake up now! It's never too late. Twende Kazi,” he posted.
By press time, Femi One was yet to respond to Omondi’s last statement.
