Ethic Entertainment News Archives

Ethic Releases First Single After Hiatus

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Ozymandias

Ethic, the Kenyan gengetone group, has released their first single after a long hiatus. The single, titled “Kunoma,” is a collaboration between the three remaining members of the group, Swat, Rekless, and Mejja.

The song is a reflection of the current state of affairs in Kenya, and it tackles the struggles of unrewarding hustles, compromising self-worth, and settling for mediocrity.

“We wanted to create a song that would resonate with people who are going through tough times,” said Swat. “We wanted to let them know that they’re not alone, and that we’re all in this together.”

The song has been well-received by fans, and it has already racked up over 1 million views on YouTube. Ethic is planning to release a new project in mid-October, and they are excited to share their new music with the world.

In the face of challenges, Ethic remains committed to their music and their fans. They are determined to continue making music that is relevant and impactful.

“We got to keep our heads up, even when the road is hard, never give up,” said Rekless.

Ethic is an inspiration to many young people in Kenya. They are proof that it is possible to achieve your dreams, even if you come from humble beginnings.

The group is a force in the Kenyan music industry, and they are sure to continue to make waves in the years to come.

Management responds to claims Ethic crew has split following Rekless’ alleged exit

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Gloria Katunge

Word on the street is that Kenya’s popular Gengetone music group, Ethic entertainment is no longer together, claims the group’s management has come out to address.

Saturday, September 26, gengetone fans woke up to news of Rekles’ alleged exit from Ethic entertainment, rumors that seemed true after the kid recently featured in multiple hit songs solo, without fellow crew members.

Also read: Ethic are right, their music gets judged heavily by Kenyans

Word had it that things were not working out well for the Lamba Lolo hitmakers. Most especially after Rekles started doing solo projects and staging collabos with other legendary artistes in the country. Something that has been considered breach of contract.

Clearly, a music group or band is on its way to death if one member makes an exit because every person in the group has a major role to play and an exit would only deny the group its full capacity.

Also read: Ethic just keeps getting better and better

Management responds

Ethic entertainment’s management responded to the claims as reported by a local publication after a curious fan sought clarification on the same posing “Is this true?”

To which the management responded via their Instagram page stating;

Naaah, Rumors tu.

Ethic Management responds to Rekles’ alleged exit

This comes barely weeks after Rekles dropped club bangers with other artistes including Willis Raburu’s Bazu and Bahati’s Wanani remix. He also dropped solo tune Deep Down by House of Badass production, raising speculations that this could be his new home.

Feedback

Sentiments that have attracted love and hate in equal measure with fans asking the kid to leave if he cannot stick to Ethic entertainment’s contract because after all, the group does not necessarily need him.

u.nder_score Atoke????????yeye akienda solo bado atamake it????

While a section heaved a sigh of relief after the management’s timely response.

becky_vixen_254 ????najua wengine walkua wanafurahia juu wanapenda kuona watu wakifail. lkn kazi kwao.. enemies of progress

Others were out to make fun of the situation.

aq9ine Labda walimaanisha exit ya mihadarati????

gesh._

Sa nani ataimba chorus????????????

Why the group approach has really favored Gengetone artists

Posted on June 27, 2020July 2, 2020 by Branny

Almost all the successful new-age artists are members of a group but have have you ever wondered why?

It’s pretty simple. You are probably thinking about it as you read this article. The reason Sailors Gang, Boondocks Gang, Ochunglo Family, Rico Gang, and the likes are fast gaining traction is because of diversity. That’s it.

Ochunglo Family

You see, by belonging to a group, that is made of up between three to six people, they can offer their fans a mixutre of talent. Think of it like a mouth-watering burger combo, okay maybe not but I know you get my point.

Truth is, in a music group you’ll find someone whose style you relate to. At the same time, you will also feel like you don’t understand some of the members or perceive them as weaklings.

Interestingly, this varies from one person to the next. For instance, I hold the opinion that Benzema and Seska are the best lyricists in Ochunglo Family and Ethic respectively because I like their flow.

Aslo read: New-age musicians have killed Nigerian music and that’s a huge win

However, a good majority say that Nelly The Goon and Rekless are the best songsmiths in the two groups.

This explains why the group approach is favouring the new-age musicians. At the end of the day, you’ll find someone who’s style you really appreciate and it varies from one person to the next.

While you might not neccesarily hate the other group members, you’ll just have this one person who’s verse you can’t wait to hear.

Sailors Gang

The difference between a group and a solo singer is that once you hate an individual’s approach, then it’s a done deal. However, in a group you are literally spoilt for choice.

Local music fans should brace themseleves for the emergence of more music groups because upcoming musicians have realized that this approach is working.

Is Kenyan music generally trashy?

Posted on June 21, 2020July 2, 2020 by Branny

There has been a long-running debate about the songs that are popular in Kenya at the moment, while some, like yours truly, find them enjoyable, others are quick to dismiss them as trashy.

Also read: Stop looking for content from new-age musicians!

In most cases, those who are opposed to the new local sound argue that the artists often sing about sex and as a result they are misleading youngsters.

Boondocks Gang

I agree that they need to tone down their songs a bit. However, we shouldn’t be to quick to dismiss the new crop of as trashy Kenyan artists simply because of this.

Truth is, Kenyan music has never been bigger than it is right now. Even the early 2000s does not come any close thank to platforms such as YouTube.

Instead of rubbishing the new sound entirely, the skeptics should point out areas that the artists should work on.

Better still, they can identify a different genre that they resonate with and let those of us who enjoy the trashy Kenyan sound be.

Ochunglo Family

We have come really far as a country, musically speaking, and we have the new-age artists to thank for the strides that we’ve made.

Gone are the days when local clubs, radio and TV stations would play one Nigerian song after the other and in my opinion that’s a huge win.

Motif Di Don talks about his journey to success, working with Khaligraph and sampling beats (Interview)

Posted on May 31, 2020June 1, 2020 by David Kingsley

Morris Kobia, better known as Motif Di Don, needs no introduction. If you like Kenyan music, chances are high that you’ve listened to a song that he has produced.

Also read: Gengetone is still alive, kind of

We called him up a few days ago because wanted to know about his journey to success, thoughts on Gengetone, how he started working with Khaligraph Jones, future plans and whatnot.

Motif explained that he was just making beats and giving them to his friends when it hit him that he should send one to Khaligraph because he was really popping at the time.

The Juu Ya Ngori hitmaker really liked the beat and they ended up being friends and that explains why he has been producing his songs since 2015.

Motif did not go to school to learn how to make beats. He told Ghafla that he learnt most of the things that he knows on YouTube.

Asked whether he can sustain himself whether the can sustain himself with the money that he gets from producing songs, he answered in the affirmative and explained that it was hard when he was starting but things got better.

Motif Di Don with Ethic's Mtoto wa Eunice — Motif Di Don with Ethic’s Mtoto wa Eunice

He also shared his thoughts on Gengetone and explained that most Kenyans are vulgar and that is the main reason why genre went viral.

I also asked him about sampling jams seeing as he was in the center of the drama that led to Figa by Ethic being and he explained that the group’s management could not reach an agreement with the owners on how to split revenues.

Lastly, I’m sure all the ladies who are reading this article are wondering whether he has a partner and apparently he does. Sorry I had to be the bearer of this news.

Listen to the full interview below.

Many Kenyan artists can’t compete on the international stage

Posted on May 22, 2020June 1, 2020 by David Kingsley

If you are keen, I’m pretty sure you’ve noticed that the Western world, especially America, has started paying a lot of attention to music that is coming out of Africa. It almost seems like they had a sudden awakening.

Artists from countries like South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria have not only sold out shows in the US, they have also landed collabos with some of the biggest music acts such as Drake, Beyonce, Chris Brown, just to name a few.

Also read: New-age musicians are giving established artists nightmares!

By any standards, this is commendable. It proves that African music (in general) is heading in the right direction. What, however, saddens me is the fact that Kenyan musicians are lagging behind. It’s just what it is ladies and gentlemen.

The painful truth is that we have little or nothing to offer, musically speaking and that’s why when you hear a Kenyan artist saying that he or she dreams of winning a Grammy Award someday, you just burst out in laughter because it’s an impossible feat.

You see, the kind of music that is very popular (locally) at the moment can not go beyond our borders for so many reasons. In as much as Kenyans appreciate the new-age music and musicians, I’m sure even our neighbours Ugandan or Tanzania don’t listen to Lamba Lolo, Wamlambez and the likes.

I often ask myself, “What’s the point if our artists make music that can only be consumed locally?” I’m sure they all want to achieve great feats and be recognized for their work on global or continental stages but the question is how will it happen?

Ochunglo Family

Every time I see the likes of Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido and the likes performing to foreign audiences or featuring the biggest musical acts in their songs I always feel jealous because I known it will take our artists a long time to achieve such success.

Kenyan musicians need to sit down and re-evaluate their strategies because they are capable of making good music that can be enjoyed by international audiences, especially now that the Western world is paying close attention to African music.

Why are Gengetone in a hurry to release new music?

Posted on May 16, 2020June 1, 2020 by David Kingsley

If you are keen, which I believe you are, I am sure you’ve noticed that there are some Kenyan artists who always have a new song every week or every fortnight.

Lately, I’ve been wondering whether this strategy really works vis-à-vis what we, the fans, want i.e. would they prefer to listen to one song and get bored with it before their favourite artist releases a new one?

Ochunglo Family

Or would do they want their favourite artists to churn out as many tracks as possible so that they can select what they want to listen to? Sometimes I really wonder.

Truth be told, the habit of releasing many jams in a short span of time was almost non-existent before the emergence of new-age artists.

A few years back, an artist would release a song and let it marinate for some months before they drop another one. In a way, this worked to their advantage as it allowed them to study the industry and plan their releases accordingly.

Boondocks Gang

But times really have changed. These days a song is recorded, the video is shot and edited within two days or less. In simple terms, the whole process is hurried and this, in most cases, leads to poor output.

The emergence of Gengetone is to blame for this because it has made us compromise on quality. The truth is that we have gotten used to consuming mediocre content to a point that we don’t even care anymore but why?

I understand that there is a lot of competition among new-age artists for instance Boondocks Gang could be worried if Ethic has two new songs and they are yet to release any.

So what do they ordinarily do? They rush to studio and release two jams in a day without giving a hoot about quality, market trends and whatnot. Who is to blame when these songs don’t get traction? It’s entirely them.

If you ask me, the old way of doing this was better. As much as there’s so much demand for new music from new-age artists, rushing the whole process is just dangerous. Enough said.

Rico Gang

Ethic raise awareness about corona virus in ‘Quarantei’ (Video)

Posted on April 3, 2020May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

Ethic Entertainment, the group that introduced Kenyans to the Gengetone sound, has released a jam to sensitize the public about the deadly COVID-19 virus which has caused the death of 35,000 people across the world so far.

Also read: Gengetone is still alive, kind of

As expected, the song titled Quarantei has been ruling the airwaves since it came out a few hours ago and we are also feeling it.

Ethic Entertainment

While this track puts emphasis on as such as; self isolation, social distancing and sanitizing, there are so many things in it that have nothing to do with corona virus. I guess they were just trying to be creative and relevant.

That said, Quarantei is a big tune. Whoever said that Gengetone is dead should listen to this jam because maybe, just maybe, they might have a change of heart.

The lyricism on this track is dope. These youngins are so creative and this is evidenced by their wordplay skills. Trust me, once you start listening to them, nothing will make you stop, even if your house if on fire.

I have been trying to figure out whose verse I love the most and I must go with Swat Mtoto Wa Eunice because he did a good job. Although his rhymes were random, they are not to predictable as is the case with many musicians.

Ethic Entertainment

Notably, Rekless also nailed the hook. It is so infectious and to add to add to that, it blends well with the verses of the other members of the group.

The beat, which was produced by the one and only Motif Di Don, was not too bad though I must say that it is kind of monotonous if you compare it with their previous releases.

About the video, I feel it was lazy. However, we’ll forgive them because there isn’t much that they could do because of strict regulations that have been put in place by the government because of corona virus.

Watch Quarantei below and tell us what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKe8OTs5CP4

Rekless serves fans hot with ‘Lawama’ (Video)

Posted on March 23, 2020May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

Rekless, who is arguably one of the best lyricists in Kenya at the moment and a member of Ethic Entertainment, has dropped a new jam and it’s getting a lot of love from his fans.

Also read: Gengetone is still alive, kind of

The song titled Lawama has been ruling the airwaves since Rekles released it a few hours ago and to be honest, we’re also feeling it.

Rekless

This song is really infectious. I’ve listened to it a couple of time since it was released and every time I play it, it’s like I am hearing it for the very first time. Yup, it’s that good ladies and gentlemen.

Rekless has a good flow and to add to that, it seems so natural. He is one guy that will make you scratch your head as you try to make sense of what he is saying in the song.

To add to that, he has a unique ability to play around with words and make dope and unpredictable rhymes, the kind that makes you wish that Gengetone should last forever.

Rekless

Actually, I’m amazed at his creativity. It’s no surprise that people always look forward to hearing his verse every time Ethic release a new song.

The beat on this song is sick. Other than the fact that it slaps really hard, it also blends well with the vocals of Rekles and his tempo. Put simply, it’s really on point.

Listen to Lawama below and tell us what you think. Enjoy!

Rekless comes through with ‘Geezer’ (Video)

Posted on March 3, 2020May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

Rekless, who is arguably one of the best lyricists in Kenya at the moment and a member of Ethic Entertainment, has dropped a new jam and it’s getting a lot of love from his fans.

Also read: Gengetone is still alive, kind of

The track titled Geezer has been ruling the airwaves since Rekles released it a few hours ago and to be honest, we are also feeling it.

Rekles

Rekless has a good flow and to add to that, it seems so natural. He is one guy that will make you scratch your head as you try to make sense of what he is saying in the song.

To add to that, he has a unique ability to play around with words and make dope and unpredictable rhymes, the kind that makes you wish that Gengetone should last forever.

Actually, I’m amazed at his creativity. It’s no surprise that people always look forward to hearing his verse every time Ethic release a new song.

The beat on this song is sick. Other than the fact that it slaps really hard, it also blends well with the vocals of Rekles and his tempo. Put simply, it’s really on point.

Listen to Geezer below and tell us what you think.

Ethic’s Seska teams up with G Rock on new banger ‘Ya Mama’ (Video)

Posted on February 26, 2020May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

Seska, who is one of the four members of Ethic Entertainment, has dropped a new track with G Rock and it’s getting so much love from their fans.

Also read: Gengetone is still alive, kind of

The song dubbed Ngotha Ya Mama has been topping local music charts since it was released a few days ago and it is not so hard to understand why.

Boy Bleezy and Tratic of G Rock Music

Like I always say, if you chose not to concentrate on the dirty things that they are singing about, you’ll actually realize how talented these youngsters are, even in songs that seem extreme like this one.

The G Rock duo brought their A-game in this jam. If you are a fan of the group then I’m sure you can tell that they’re getting better and better.

Their flow has become more natural. Their rhymes have also improved unlike before when it really seemed like they were just forcing things.

Seska

Seska dropped a dope hook on this jam and he’s without a doubt the reason why this jam is catchy. He also had a sick verse with wordplay that will leave you scratching your head.

Notably, beat and instrumentation on this track are dope. Other than the fact they are catchy, you will not resist the urge to dance as you listen to this song and that is not a bad thing or is it?

Listen to Ya Mama below and tell us what you think. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVoUPPIv9j0

Gengetone is still alive, kind of

Posted on February 21, 2020May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

When I thought of writing this article, I wanted to explain to you – the reader – that real talent comes from the ghetto or what other people refer to as the poor neighborhoods. Think of it though, some of the biggest music entertainers -even those from abroad – are not from wealthy backgrounds.

Also read: New-age musicians have killed Nigerian music and that’s a huge win

You see, my logic is that ghetto folks don’t have as many options as those who are filthy rich. So, what most of them want is that one thing that will get them out of there as soon as possible. For some it’s crime – which is the common choice but others don’t want to be gunned down so they study hard or play a game like football.

Boondocks Gang

The other common option is music. So these youngsters start singing, they get a few fans along the way as they hope and wait that they will find someone to believe in them any maybe pay for studio time or record a video for them so that they can get their names out there.

And it finally happens and one after the other they start getting noticed. Before you know it, they are celebs because of their music. Anyway, that what they wanted so it fine because some money is also going into their pockets. That is exactly what Gengetone is.

But music is not a drug. Sorry, maybe the person who said that it is was just high, drunk perhaps. People get tired of music, unless it’s a classic. People stopped listening to Gengetone sometime last year or was it early this year? Funny thing is that they even bashed the artists that they were dancing to and labelled them as ratchet.

But you see, these artists don’t want to go back to the ghetto where they are from because life is tough there, there is little or no food, the crime rate is high. My point is that they will keep making music, even if you don’t want to heat it. But remember, real talent is from the ghetto like I told you.

That means that there will still be a few probably many songs by Gengetone artists that are hits and that’s is what I mean when I say, Gengetone is still alive, kind of. If you are not sure, watch the video below and tell me.

Ethic’s new jam ‘Soko’ is a massive hit (Video)

Posted on January 27, 2020May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

Ethic Entertainment, the group that rose to fame in 2018 after releasing Lamba Lolo in 2018, is back with a new jam and we can’t stop jamming to it.

Also read: Ethic just keeps getting better and better

The track dubbed Soko, which is a Swahili word that means market, has been getting good airplay since it came out a few days ago and understandably so. This jam is too lit ladies and gentlemen.

Ethic Entertainment

As you listen to this jam, you can not help but admire the sheer creativity and the unique gift to match words of Ethic Entertainment members who are; Rekless, Zilla, Seska and Swat Mtoto Wa Eunice.

Although some people may claim that they’re speaking in tongues, especially Swat, their rhymes sound so pleasant to the ears and it kind of makes you wish that the song was a bit longer.

Also read: Ethic Vs Sailors Gang: Which group is the baddest?

Other than Swat, I must admit that I totally loved Zilla’s verse. His flow is so good that it makes you wonder why he’s so underrated but that’s a story for another day, isn’t it?

Notably, the hook by Rekless was also dope. It’s so catchy that you might even master the whole of it after listening to this jam once, or maybe twice. I’m not kidding.

Ethic Entertainment

It goes like,”Ahh, una toto na ameiva iza, juu mi ni fisi bado sija-shiba, hadi poko mi na-piga mimba, juu kwa soko ka ni diva lipa, diva lipa lima ahh*4.”

The beat is also dope. Though I have a feeling that some of you will say that the sound has become too monotonous. I am of the contrary opinion because this jam slaps so hard.

Listen to Soko below and tell us what you think. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6duXTquRquk

2019 was such a great year for Kenyan musicians

Posted on December 24, 2019December 30, 2019 by David Kingsley

I probably don’t need to tell you this because it’s something you already know but 2019 will go down in history as the year Kenyans really rallied behind local artists.

Also read: New-age musicians have killed Nigerian music and that’s a huge win

To be honest, I’ve never seen our local acts getting as much support compared to this year and that’s definitely one of the reasons why many people will live to remember this year.

Nonini

A lot has been said about the genre of music that is popular in Kenya at the moment i.e. Gengetone. However, one of the things that you can’t deny was how popular it is/has become. It’s really infectious.

This year reminded me of the early 2000s when the likes of Flexx, Nonini, Jua Cali, Pilipili, Jimwat, Nameless, Lady S, Deux Vultures, Pilipili literally ruled the airwaves. Their music was like a drug of sorts.

If you had already been born during that time then I am sure you know what I’m talking about. Kenyan music was so big and most of us, including yours truly, had books where we had written down lyrics just to memorize the songs.

The best part was that most artists sang in a language that we could all understand with the addition of a little bit of Sheng which is unlike Gengetone but that’s a story for another day.

Ochunglo Family

In as much as Kenyan music was really big this year and got us back to appreciating and supporting our local artists, I fear that the phase that we are in won’t last for long.

It’s pretty obvious that the new wave of Kenyan artists need to look for ways of sustaining the sound because whether you like or not, people will soon get tired of it.

They say that to much of something is bad and after listening to songs about sex, weed, bedroom affairs all year long, I must say that I have kind of had enough.

Don’t call me a hater but I’m not sure if songs by the likes of Ethic, Gwaash, Ochunglo Family, Boondocks Gang, Rico Gang, 34 GVNG will still slap as hard next year and that is why 2019 is more than exceptional. Enough said.

Ethic’s new jam dubbed ‘Maji Maji’ is a big tune (Video)

Posted on November 18, 2019May 5, 2020 by David Kingsley

Ethic, a group that rose to fame after releasing Lamba Lolo in 2018, has released a new jam and we are really feeling it.

Also read: Stop looking for content from new-age musicians!

The song dubbed Maji Maji epitomizes growth of the group, which is made up of Rekless, Seska, Zilla and Swat since they made thier debut on the local entertainment scene.

Although their lyrics are still risque, you’ll agree with me that their punchlines and rhymes are more solid and tighter than their previous releases.

Ethic

Of course, Rekless really came through on this jam. The hook is really catchy and easy to remember and we have him to thank for this. Anyway, would a song by Ethic slap hard if the hook was not done by Rekless? I wonder.

I also loved Zilla’s verse. He nailed it. I don’t know why he often overlooked yet he is really dope and has some heavy punchlines.

The beat was produced by the one and only Motif Di Don and even before you listen to it, you can tell that it’s sick. If you love Gengetone than I am pretty sure that you will enjoy this jam.

Watch Maji Maji below and tell us what you think.

Established Kenyan artists should not stoop too low

Posted on September 18, 2019 by David Kingsley

New-age artists have taken over so much so that established artists i.e. those who have been in the game for 5 years or longer are almost unheard of since they barely get airplay on TV and/or radio stations.

Also read: New-age musicians should not do collabos with established artists, here’s why

In a bid to remain relevant in the local entertainment industry, some established artists have been doing collabos with the new crop of local artists. However, this has not sat well with many people.

A good example is Jua Cali who has been the talk of the town in the past one week after word went round that he was working on a song with Swat Mtoto Wa Eunice and Odi Wa Murang’a.

Odi Wa Murang’a

Whichever way you look at it, the legendary musician has stooped to low by working with the two. Those who have always held him in high regard, including yours truly, have lost respect for him.

Granted, the new Kenyan sound is hot on the streets and in clubs at the moment but I never though we’d see Jua Cali, of all people joining, the bandwagon.

Think of it though, what will you think of the Kiasi hit maker if you heard him singing things like Lamba Lolo, Wamlambez and Punyeto? Would you still admire him?

Jua Cali with Odi Wa Murang’a and Swat Mtoto Wa Eunice

For someone who has had a career spanning two decades, you would expect that he has learnt the ropes and will stay afloat in the industry come what may but that seems not to be the case.

To be honest, I’m on of the people who is really waiting for his collabo with Odi Wa Murang’a and Swat Mtoto Wa Eunice to drop because I want to see how far he is willing to go to reclaim his fan base.

The argument that he is trying to ‘lift’ the two is invalid because anything that they touch turns into gold instantly. As such, Jua Cali might be the one who’s in need of ‘lifting’.

Swat Mtoto Wa Eunice

Lazy producers are hurting the local music industry

Posted on September 3, 2019October 7, 2019 by David Kingsley

I’ve always held Motif Di Don in high regard until recently when news emerged that he had, for lack of a better word, copy pasted the beat for Ethic’s latest jam titled Figa.

Also read: Magix Enga Vs Motif Di Don: Who is the baddest producer?

The beat maker, who is behind hits such as Ipepete, Dondosha and Kiboko by Masauti, Ethic’s Pandana and several songs by Khaligraph Jones, has really disgraced himself.

If you listen to the beat for the original song titled Cono, you’ll notice that there is little difference with Figa. In my opinion, there’s none at all. Zilch!

Granted, Motif might have modified the beat but I still find it interesting because Ethic parted with a large sum of money for work that was largely copy pasted.

Ethic

This incident got me thinking about Kenyan producers and how lazy they are. Truth is, there are many who have done something like this before and they were not caught.

Such actions are really hurting the local music industry because the person who stands to lose the most at the end of the day is the artist and not the producer.

Ethic must have spent a lot of money shooting the video for Figa and marketing it only for it to be pulled down after it had clocked 3 million views.

Previously, producers could get away with copyright issues because songs were largely confined analogue TV and radio.

However, with the digital revolution, it means that producers won’t be able to do this anymore because once you put a song out someone will definitely notice.

Motif Di Don with Ethic’s Swat Mtoto wa Eunice

Swat Vs Rekless: Who’s the baddest lyricist in Ethic?

Posted on August 28, 2019August 28, 2019 by David Kingsley

For a long time, there has been a debate about who is the best lyricist in Ethic – the group that became household name after releasing the mega hit Lamba Lolo in 2018.

Admittedly, all the group members namely; Seska, Zilla, Swat and Rekless are gifted. However, most people can’t seem to decide who is the supremo between the last two since their verses are always lit.

It is for this reason that we decided to pit them against each other. We want to know who you are willing to put your money on and why i.e. what makes them stand out from the other members of Ethic?

Swat

Swat Mtoto Wa Eunice

His verse on their debut hit dubbed Lamba Lolo was really dope and this made him a favorite among many people.

He has continued to wow his fans in the group’s subsequent releases particularly a song titled Instagram where he really brought his A-game.

Rekless

Rekless

Unlike Swat, his lyrics are more thoughtful and mature but this does not really come as a surprise since he is the eldest member of the group.

You also can’t fail to appreciate his wordplay. It’s really on point. He got many people talking after showcasing his skill on the group’s latest release dubbed Figa.

That said, who, according to you is the baddest lyricist in Ethic? Tell us below!

Sauti Sol has to put up a strong fight to save Kenyan music

Posted on August 26, 2019 by David Kingsley

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with the kind of music that is popular in Kenya at the moment, in as much as it’s vulgar, I still find it enjoyable.

Also read: Believe it or not, Sauti Sol is saving the Kenyan music industry

However, we have laud the likes of Sauti Sol for trying to model the next generation of musicians and showing them that they don’t have to be risqué to make hits.

New musicians and groups are emerging everyday and most of them seem to be taking the same direction with their music.

Ethic led the way when they released Lamba Lolo in 2018 and because it became a big hit, everyone thinks that is the way to go.

Ethic

Sometimes I miss sane, responsible and mature music, the kind that you can listen to even when an elder person is in the room.

However, if you are keen, I’m sure notice that that kind of music is becoming less each day.

Almost every musician, even the established ones, are going route of Ethic because it is what is popular in Kenya at the moment.

People like Sauti Sol are showing us that it does not have to be like that, that you don’t have to be dirty to make a hit.

However, it seems to be a difficult task since the whole country has made vulgar music acceptable.

The boy-band will have to put a strong fight if they want to save Kenyan music because this wave is sweeping over so fast.

Watch Sauti Sol’s jam with Bensoul, Nviiri The Storyteller, Crystal Asige and Kaskazini below.

Stop looking for content from new-age musicians!

Posted on August 26, 2019 by David Kingsley

Every so often, you’ll hear someone rubbishing the new crop of local musicians and explaining that they lack content.

Also read: New-age musicians have killed Nigerian music and that’s a huge win

I always find this line of thought interesting because I’ve never seen or heard any of the new-age musicians asking people to listen to the songs that they churn out because they have content.

You and I know that these songs are purely for entertainment, they are meant to put you in a good mood.

As such, it would be wrong to claim that Kenyan music lacks content because most of the popular songs in the country are from new-age artists.

Ethic

The truth is that there is no shortage of good music in Kenya. If you are the kind of person who looks for a message in a song, then you’ll be spoilt for choice.

If, for instance, the new Kenyan sound does not appeal to you then you can listen to the likes of Sarabi who make conscious music.

Better still, you can identify another genre that you easily resonate with and let those of us who enjoy the new Kenyan sound be.

We have come far as a country, musically speaking, and we have the new-age artists to thank for the strides that we’ve made.

Gone are the days when local clubs, radio and TV stations would play one Nigerian song after the other and in my opinion that’s a huge win.

Boondocks Gang

The focus has really shifted to local musicians, especially the new-age artists so much so that you could say that they helped in killing Nigerian music.

So, instead of castigating them every chance you get, support them!

Old School Vs New School: Which ratchet music is more enjoyable?

Posted on August 14, 2019 by David Kingsley

The emergence of the new crop of Kenyan musicians has resulted into people comparing them with their older peers i.e. those who have been in the game for longer, say a decade or so.

While the new-age artists are spontaneous, the older folk are more ‘calculative’ which means that they think every move through carefully and perhaps this works to their detriment.

Ethic

There is also the obvious fact that the younger folk are very ratchet going by the words that they use in their songs and their videos. On the other hand, old school artists are kind of reserved.

Most of the older folk are still using the Tanzanian approach of singing about dirty things i.e stuff is hidden and coming at a time when almost everyone is being raunchy, this doesn’t serve in their best interest or does it?

If you are keen, then I’m sure that you’ve noticed that the likes of Jua Cali, Redsan, Nameless, Wyre and Nonini don’t get much as they used to back it they day.

We have reached a point where they are almost unheard of and the truth is that this has a lot to do with the new crop of Kenyan artists because they are literally hogging the spotlight.

Redsan

Unlike their older peers, they don’t wait for a song to ‘marinate’ before they drop another one, they are always on toes. This way, they are always on people’s lips.

At the end of the day, when all is said and done, if you are a big fan of Kenyan music like yours truly then you have to decide where your loyalty really lies.

Are you sticking with the old school music that is more reserved but enjoyable and you wouldn’t be shy to listen to in front of your parents.

Or are you an ardent fan of new-school music with all it raunchiness and you can live with the fact that you have to cover your face in shame when it comes on and an elder person is around.

Magix Enga Vs Motif Di Don: Who is the baddest producer?

Posted on July 30, 2019July 31, 2019 by David Kingsley

These days, almost every song begins with the words, “Motif Di Don” or “Magix Enga on the beat”. You would be tempted to think that the two are the only music producers in the country which is not the case.

Also read: Magix Enga has taken Kenyan music to the international stage

While the are are countless music producers in Kenya, the work of Magix Enga and Motif Di Don really stands out. They have a distinct approach and this explains why they are a cut above the rest and the most-sought after beat makers.

Motif Di Don

Each of them has worked with the biggest names in the entertainment industry and in a way they have helped propel the new Kenyan sound that made many people realize that they can actually enjoy local music.

Magix Enga has worked with the likes of Otile Brown, Timmy Tdat, Arrow Bwoy, KRG The Don, P-Unit, Zzero Sufuri, Ethic, Alvindo, King Kaka, Kristoff, Khaligraph Jones, Prezzo, Naiboi, Mejja, Rankaddah. The list is endless.

On the other hand, Motif Di Don has produced songs for Masauti, Ethic, Otile Brown, Khaligraph Jones, Masterpiece, Nadia Mukami, Qritical, Pro & Lava Lava and Rayvanny who are both Tanzanian singers.

If you are a fan of Kenyan music, like yours truly, then I’m sure you’ve seen your favourite local musician in the aforementioned names. What’s even more is that most of them are big acts which also means that Magix Enga and Motif Di Don are the baddest producers around.

Magix Enga

In as much as they are both incredible and doing their very best to grow the local industry, at the end of the day, one of them has to be better than the other and that’s what I want to find out from you. I’d like to know your perspective of them.

So tell me, who do you think is the baddest producers between Magix Enga and Motif Di Don? Leave a comment below.

Octopizzo Vs Khaligraph: Who will survive the new-age music revolution?

Posted on July 30, 2019 by David Kingsley

Truth be told, the new-age (new wave) Kenyan musicians are giving established musicians a run for their money, even the likes of Octopizzo and Khaligraph. Allow me to explain my line of thought.

Also read: New-age musicians are giving established artists nightmares!

At the end of the day, even if their music genres are different, they are competing for the same fanbase, which is you and I, and as you know there can only be one winner so it’s either the new age artists beat the established artists or vice versa.

Khaligraph Jones

Both Octopizzo and Khaligraph were doing well before the emergence of new age artists because they were both releasing street music i.e. songs that are in Sheng and relate to the struggles that the ordinary person goes through.

If you’re keen then I am sure you have noticed that Khaligraph has stayed the course. On the other hand, Octopizzo has veered off. In the recent past, he has has changed his style so much so that you would think that he no longer cares about his local fans.

Both Octopizzo and Khaligraph have been trying to surmount the pressure that they are getting from new-age artist and it got to a point where they bowed to pressure. The way I see it they had no choice.

Khaligraph Jones

If you listen to Octopizzo’s Zikishika, there is a verse where he drops lamba lolo. In Leave Me Alone, Khaligraph pays homage to Zzero Sufuri and the likes. As the saying goes, if you can’t beat them join them.

This got me thinking, who between the two can survive the new-age music revolution because let’s be honest, these youngins have taken over. From the fans, to music streaming sites and YouTube to local TV and radio stations to gigs, all people waiting to consume is new-age musicians.

Between Octopizzo and Khaligraph Jones, who do you think can keep up with the new-age artists?

Ethic Vs Sailors Gang: Which group is the baddest?

Posted on July 30, 2019 by David Kingsley

People have been going crazy over Sailors Gang’s dubbed Wamlambez over the last few days and doing challenges where some says ‘Wamlambez’ and you reply ‘Wamyonyez’. You would be tempted to think the song was just released yet it came out in April.

Also read: New-age musicians are giving established artists nightmares!

It took me back to the day Ethic dropped Lamba Lolo and how it used to be played everywhere. From clubs, local radio and TV stations, to gigs everyone had that song on repeat so much so that it seemed like a national anthem.

Ethic

Before long, other groups who had a similar music approach started emerging and then came Sailors Gang, a group that is made up of Miracle Baby, Shalkido, Lexxy Yung, Masilver and Qoqosjuma in April this year.

The new kids on the block have taken over never mind the fact that its barely four months since they made their debut in the local entertainment scene. What they have achieved is impressive by any standards.

You might hate me for this but sometimes I compare them with Ethic. You see, the Lamba Lolo hit makers released a new song in June, people spoke about it for a few weeks and it almost as if the hype died.

The reason I’m saying this because Wamlambez, which was released in April, has more talkability than Ethic’s most recent release. It’s the new national anthem. The way I see it, this begs a lot of questions.

Sailors Gang

One of the questions is, which group is the baddest between Ethic and Sailors Gang? Tell us below.

Watch Sailors Gang’s latest release dubbed Queen B here.

Rekless Vs Nelly The Goon Vs Miracle Baby: Who is the best lyricist?

Posted on July 30, 2019 by David Kingsley

In the last one year or so, we’ve witnessed the emergence or groups or individuals who’s music approach is different from the norm.

They have treated us to many good songs so much so that you would be right to say that they breathed new life into the local music industry. Didn’t they though?

Out of the many groups of new-age artists, three stand out not for any other reason but because they are made up of super-talented individuals. They are; Ethic Entertianment, Ochunglo Family and Sailors Gang.

If you are keen, then I’m sure you’ve noticed that each of these three groups has an individual who is hailed for his lyrical prowess every time they release a new song. It’s just what it is.

In my opinion, the three are; Rekless (Ethic), Nelly The Goon (Ochunglo Family) and Miracle Baby (Sailors Gang).

For starters, let’s agree that all of them are exceptional. However, we’d still like to know who, acccording to you, is the best lyricist among the three.

Rekless

His verses are always flawless. You can tell that he puts some thought into his each line. He really wowed his fans in Ehic’s latest release dubbed Figa.

https://youtu.be/7R8fhgmSBYE?t=28

Nelly The Goon

His verses are effortless but outstanding. He says random things but the end result is always impeccable. According to many people, he really outdid himself in Ochunglo Family’s latest release dubbed Kaa Na Mama Yako.

Miracle Baby

Although Sailors Gang has only released two songs to date, Miracle Baby has been on everyon’s lips because of his lit verses. He really did a great job in thier latest jam dubbed Pekejeng.

https://youtu.be/v7GJPvidzRI?t=6

So, who among the three you putting your money on? Who is the best lyricist according to you and what was your favourite verse by him? Tell us below.

New-age musicians are giving established artists nightmares!

Posted on July 24, 2019July 25, 2019 by David Kingsley

If at all there are people who are not so pleased with the emergence of new-age musicians then it’s the local acts who have been in the game for a longer period, say 5, 10 years or more. I won’t mention any names because you know them too well, don’t you?

Ethic

In my opinion, they have been backed into a corner by the new crop of artists and they don’t have a clue how they can get out of it. Put simply, they don’t know what to do to reclaim their fan bases. As such, some of them are left with no choice but to hate.

New-age musicians are very spontaneous unlike established artists. A random idea is turned into a song and they hit the studio to record it. Before you know it, the video (quality notwithstanding) is out and is getting mad love across the country.

Established artists like to think through all their steps because they feel they have been in the game for long, they know what works. In the end, they released a well-executed song/video but no one bothers to listen to it or watch it. They end up getting only a handful views.

New-age musicians are always on their toes. As soon as they release a song, they are back in studio working on the next hit unlike established artists who will wait for a song to marinate for some months. Before you know it, they have dropped another banger!

Boondocks Gang

Truth be told, these youngins are giving established artists sleepless nights. In other words, they are their biggest nightmare. Imagine trying to keep up with someone who has been in the game for less than a year compared to the many decades that you’ve been doing music. I would also feel horrible!

However, I don’t think all is lost. All established artists need to do is see what they can learn from the new crop of Kenyan musicians if at all they want to survive in this industry because let’s be honest, times have changed so why should they stick to old practices?

Watch Ochunglo Family’s latest jam Kaa Na Mama Yako below.