This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
Coastal music has been a hidden gem in Kenya's music scene for a long time, with few people outside the region aware of its talented artists. However, this is changing, thanks to the emergence of artists like Masauti, Otile Brown, and Dogo Richie.
But despite their growing popularity, Coastal music still struggles to get nationwide attention. So, what's behind this lack of recognition?
One reason is the concentration of top media houses in Nairobi. This means that artists from the Coast have to travel to the capital city to promote their music, which can be a significant challenge.
Another reason is the perceived slow pace of artists from the Coast. Unlike their Nairobi counterparts, who are known for their aggressive promotion, Coastal artists tend to take their time releasing new music and promoting it.
But perhaps the most surprising reason for the lack of recognition is the claim of sorcery. Yes, you read that right! Some artists from the Coast have blamed their counterparts for using juju to hinder their growth.
Take Dogo Richie, for example. He released a song called Mziki Majanga last year, in which he accused several artists of using sorcery against him. Among those mentioned were Fat S, Susumila, Nyota Ndogo, Chikuzee, Bizzy K, Ally B, and Bawazir.
Interestingly, Dogo Richie later revealed that his voice would vanish when he was in the studio, but he sounded heavenly when he was at home. He attributed this to the revenge of the artists he had accused of using sorcery.
So, there you have it. Coastal music's struggle for national recognition is a complex issue, with several factors at play. But despite these challenges, the region's talented artists continue to make waves in the music industry.
