This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
The Lion King, a beloved Disney classic, has been reimagined with a star-studded soundtrack featuring Beyonce. However, the Kenyan music industry is feeling left out, with no local artistes featured in the album.
Published on July 19, 2019, the album, titled The Gift, boasts a lineup of international artistes, including Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter, Childish Gambino, Pharrell, Major Lazer, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Mr. Eazi, Yemi Alade, Tekno & Tiwa Savage, and South African acts Moonchild & Busiswa.
Kenyan artistes have taken to social media to express their disappointment and frustration, with some calling for their 'rights' to be recognized. Muthoni The Drummer Queen, a renowned Kenyan musician, weighed in on the issue, urging her fellow artistes to be more proactive in networking and seeking opportunities.
"We need to be at the table where these decisions are made," she said. "We need to use our connections to introduce ourselves to the people in the decision-making positions."
Legendary producer Tedd Josiah also shared his thoughts on the matter, calling out Kenyan artistes for not having publishing rights. "You're talking about the fact that Lion King has no Kenyan artistes. This is why Tiwa Savage, one of the artistes in the album, is signed by Roc Nation, which has Jay-z and he has the publishing rights," he said. "Publishing is what you do not have, and when you're told to sign, you say they want to steal from you."
While some artistes have criticized Josiah's comments, others have acknowledged the importance of having publishing rights in the music industry.
