This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
Warning to Gengetone Artists ¶
Kenyan hip hop artist Nonini has a stern warning for young Gengetone artists: be mindful of the content you produce, as it can have long-term consequences.
Nonini, who is known for his viral hits like 'Manzi wa Nairobi' and 'Keroro', has spoken out about the importance of adhering to ethical standards in the music industry.
He shared his own experience of missing out on endorsement deals due to his past lyrics, which were deemed too vulgar for corporate brands.
Nonini recalled how he would release hit after hit, gaining popularity both locally and globally, but no corporate brands approached him for an endorsement deal.
He attributed this to the kind of content he had in his popular hits, which had something vulgar and no one wanted to associate their product with such kind of 'immoral' standards.
Nonini eventually got his first and only endorsement deal in 2018, but it was a long time coming.
He wants young Gengetone artists to learn from his experience and not go through the same struggles he did.
Nonini's warning comes as a reminder to young artists to be mindful of the content they produce and to adhere to ethical standards in the music industry.
