Redsan aka Dancehall Baba is one of the longest-lasting Kenyan acts and that is no mean feat. There are literally no artists left from before 2000 who are as relevant as he is. And the simple fact that Redsan survives is the reason Khaligraph Jones can be accepted by Kenyans.
When he first came onto the scene, the one criticism everyone and their mother had for him was… Drum roll please…
And if you are old enough to remember, that one factor acted as a chain and ball for his career. He was constantly derided by comedians and society at large for maintaining the accent. Dancehall Baba would be mocked every time a Jamaican would come to town to perform. He would be derided for being a sell-out or for being fake.
So by the time Khaligraph Jones was making his entrance onto the scene, Kenyans had been treated to the idea of a Kenyan artist maintaining an accent and espousing a culture not of his own. The idea wasn’t new and offensive. Yes, Khaligraph Jones was also mocked and derided but it was all made easier by the fact that a generation earlier, Kenya had Redsan.
You see, most people are offended by the idea of a Kenyan maintaining an accent because they feel like it is a rejection of the Kenyan way of life. This is a facet of our collective low-self esteem. And he bore the brunt of the resultant ire. And Khaligraph Jones didn’t get even an iota of what his OG had to deal with.
So this article isn’t to question Khaligraph’s talent. Nah. It isn’t to say he birthed Khaligraph. Nah. This article is simply to show that he set the pace.
Kenya’s fast rising Dancehall act Seroney popularly referred as Mr. Shuga has decided he has a bone to pick with legendary singer Redsan.
A Piece of artwork of an upcoming single titled ‘Bring it Back’ Diss track that is yet to be released has been making rounds on the internet showing that the singer is about to destroy the dancehall star.
Redsan has been on the news lately for not so good reason following an altercation that ensued between him and his long time producer, Sappy where the latter alleged that he was beaten up by the artist leading to a bitter fallout between the two.
The diss track produced by producer Ulopa Ngoma, Side B Entertainment, will definitely cause a stir in the Kenyan music scene with many saying it’s likely to bring a beef between the two artists.
Not happy
Word is that Redsan got wind of the news and got furious but we are yet to confirm those allegations.
According to a comment by Seroney on Ulopa Ngoma’s instagram post (@bwanangoma) after Redsan allegedly beat up producer Sappy, it is clear that the two were working on a diss track.
It seems a lot has been happening in these recording studios and Kenyans have been left the dark.
Just days after dancehall singer Redsan was in the news for beating his producer Dr. Sappy almost to a pulp, it seems another bunch of artists have also decided to use his method to get the required results.
Word has emerged that Le Band, which comprises of four members, also beat up their producer MG. On social media, Le Band lead member Fidel took to social media to rant about MG being unprofessional a reason why they had to attack him. This is after the paid him and it took over five months to produce their song “Number one.”
“We kept calling and calling he did not pick up, and so we decided to shoot the video using a demo just waiting for the song,” Fidel said.
“When I posted my story on social media, many people came out saying he has done the same thing. What he does is ask for money but he does not perform to the expectations as per the deal.”
Parted ways
According to reports, the fight erupted after MG lied to Fidel that he was in Kisumu only for them to bump into each in town. MG then went ahead and called them to studio and apologized but things escalated and Fidel picked up a microphone stand and hit MG. They fought and eventually, MG sent them half the money they had paid him for studio time.
MG
This is what MG said on social media later on.
“For those who know me, I have built this dream from 2003…..in 2016 leband came to studio and tried to beat me up in studio throwing my equipment around (unlike sappy walipata niko ready)……Jana I went through the worst bullying possible…after sleepless nights of working on Leband…never thought I would do this but words could not get to them….so like always my work speaks…..the musicians that I hosted, fed, nutured and loved felt it’s right to troll me after paying me a depo of 6k and me having to beg for the rest…they paid me 15k in total…(you all know I charge 30k)…..calling me a fraud after finishing their job (which are hits and also their first recordings)…
Redsan must have really started up something.(atleast he is a legend) so dear le band….for every trash and lies you put out ….am gonna remove processing…….am also posting their song Number 1 without MG if they continue with this nonsense and you gonna looooooove it … le band you know how bad you sounded..as a producer am way used to being forgoten,disrespected, underpaid and told to be humble when I speak up about payment….my contracts and quotation are disregarded and shunned …
Fellow producers laugh now and you time of disrespect is coming….as for artist sana sana Juliey Mumia and juukua… Dreamchild Brand Tetu ShaniEnoque Wambua…keep forgeting your songs were done in a week.and file sent..am working on your raw files ?……. for my mtaa people nitwarecord nyinyi pekee yenu..hawa mababi wakiwa famous Hawana shukran….as for me let me chill in roysambu on my mtumba clothes as we see who the real frauds are…. #respectproducers”
Singer Redsan was recently a trending topic after he attacked and beat up his producer Dr. Sappy at his studio for allegedly refusing to give him his new album.
Kenyans, as usual, made fan out of the whole saga especially when Sappy started calling the watchman for help during the beating. Redsan, in an interview with SDE, has now explained why he hit the gym this year and got a buffed body and it has nothing related to fighting.
“I just wanted to change my look because I work with artistes who really look good. So, I had to up my game. Mainly it’s just about keeping healthy, but it is also my escape zone. When I’m at the gym, I get to think and reflect on life,” he said.
Rapper?
He went on to surprise fans saying that in his new album, The Baddest, he also has a rap song. This is after fans asked him to switch things a little bit and not just give dance hall songs.
“When I released my previous album, Versatility, I was asked why I was only focused on dancehall. But I am a versatile artiste and so I decided to do a full English rap song. So, those rappers who claim they are king and the baddest in rap should watch out.
“This is my fifth album which has 17 tracks, including collaborations with Jamaican acts Demarco and Naila, Kenyan songstress Yvonne Darc, Tanzanian fast-rising artiste Ervix and Ugandan heavyweight Jose Chameleone,” he said.
More drama is unraveling after Redsan beat up his producer Sappy after he refused with the masters.
Dancehall singer KRG the Don has come out to claim that he spent millions on the singer but he has never bothered to repay back.
According to KRG, he paid for Redsan’s song “Get With It” and all other expenses in Dubai but has never been refunded.
“Am so sorry my brother Sappy you don’t deserve such treatment after putting in work tirelessly without getting paid for the work you have been doing! This is so sad that this artist can be using other people over and over again then think they don’t have brains!
“This fellow has been using Kenyan producers then in the end he takes credit to Sony Africa. It happened to me too after I paid for his video expenses in Dubai then I saw the credits go to sony yet I used my personal cash to fund all the expenses including his accommodation, food, drinks, and clothes he is so shameless.” he said.
I wish it was me
He went on to accuse the singer of using people. He also claimed that if Redsan had attacked him like he did to Sappy, he would have turned the case into a man hunt.
“I posted about Tiwa being stranded some people said am a hater but the truth is he likes using people and run. His time for using people for the wrong reasons are done. now he better start looking for other activities to do in life coz in the music business such people don’t survive. My blood is boiling right now I wish I was in Sappy’s shoe this guy could be running for his dear life instead. #JusticeForSappy hii ndio album launch kumbe.”
