This archive report was first published on 30 June 2021.
June 30, 2021, marked a tumultuous day for Kenyan deejay Vdj Jones, popularly known as Jones Achido, after he sparked outrage among netizens for allegedly demanding payment from artists to play their music.
According to Jones, unless an artist is signed to his newly formed stable, 'Superstar Entertainment,' they will have to pay him to have their music played.
He argued that he also has bills to pay and will no longer engage in charity work, stating, 'Wewe msanii umeenda huko kwa studio, umeenda umerecord ngoma yako kwa studio ingine mahali, umelipa pesa ya recording, umeenda kwa video director umelipa pesa ya video, then wewe na hiyo kichwa yako unakuja unanitext ama unaniambia support my music, mimi ntakula nini? Mimi pia nina bills za kulipa so before you send me your links maze support my hustle too. So mimi si charity, mimi pia nina chakula ya kukula so make sure ukinitumia ngoma yenye sio ya Superstar Ent. Mpesa muhimu,ata mimi nafaa kukula,'
However, his sentiments did not sit well with a section of his followers, who took offense to his audacity and questioned whether other major world stars pay him when he plays their music.
Many users expressed their discontent, with one user asking, 'Kiulizo pia wewe lipa @diamondplatinumz@harmonize_tz@meekmill ukiwacheza ama wao hukulipa? Haki yetu,'
Others fired back, saying that his reasoning was outdated and that artists could reason the same way.
While some fans supported him, arguing that music is also a business, the majority of the backlash suggests that his approach may not be well-received by the music community.
