This archive report was first published on 6 July 2021.
Gengetone music, a genre that dominated the Kenyan music scene for three years, is feared to be losing its taste. Emerging from Genge-rap, a style popular in the 2000s, Gengetone blends rap with reggaeton and dancehall elements, resulting in a high-energy sound.
Characterized by explicit lyrics and commentary on the 'hood' experience, Gengetone music is typically rapped or sung in 'sheng'. One of the pioneers of this genre is the group Ethic, consisting of Rekles, Seska, Swat, and Zilla.
Despite criticisms, Ethic remains one of the best in the genre. In a recent interview, Rekles defended Gengetone music, stating that no one should claim it's dead unless they started it.
“Unajua sisi ndio tulianzisha hii kitu so si ndio tunaamua itaisha lini. Hakuna venye unaeza sema kitu hukuanzisha inaisha. How? So tunaeza nyamaza miaka mbili, 3 years ama 4 years bado tutakuja tusumbue. So kila mtu anasema kitu anataka…”
Rekles' comments come as Gengetone music faces criticism for its explicit content and declining popularity. However, Ethic remains a promising quartet, and fans are eagerly awaiting their next release.
