Vijana Barubaru, made up of Spikes Mshairi and Tuku Kantu, recently spilled the beans about their experiences, shedding light on some concerning industry practices.
In an honest chat with the E254 show crew, Vijana Barubaru opened up about their rollercoaster ride in the music scene. They acknowledged that their path has been far from easy, but they’re proud of the milestones they’ve achieved so far in their music career.
Taking a trip down memory lane, they recounted a pivotal moment when they almost signed with an Eldoret-based record label, Big Afrique Studios. The twist in the tale involves none other than comedian Eric Omondi, who served as a bridge between the music group and the record label.
The saga began with the viral success of their debut track “Sasa Hivi” (freestyle). This caught the attention of Eric Omondi, who expressed interest in sponsoring both the official audio and video for the song. An exciting proposition, right? They thought so too. The group joined forces with Eric and producer Jegede to create the official audio, eagerly anticipating the promised sponsorship for the video.
However, as fate would have it, the promised deal hit a snag. The E254 Show hosts dug into the details, wanting to know what went wrong with the Big Afrique Studios signing.
The group explained, “We had done Sasa Hivi and it was trending on TikTok, but we had not done the official audio or video. Then Eric Omondi called us, affirming that he loved our song. He offered to take us to the studio to record and shoot the video. We were excited, but the offer seemed almost too good to be true.”
Understandably excited, they embarked on their journey with Eric Omondi and Producer Jegede, recording an initial version of “Sasa Hivi.” Plans were set in motion for the video. However, they soon realized that the song’s reception on the market called for a slower version. This version would go on to be the official track available on various streaming platforms.
Meanwhile, Eric Omondi had another card up his sleeve. He promised to introduce the group to the founder of Big Afrique Studios for a recording and management deal. The promise of potentially joining forces with the studio was a game-changer for the budding musicians. The process involved discussions and negotiations facilitated by Eric’s management.
The anticipation was high, and Tuku Kantu chimed in, recalling the pivotal moment when Eric laid out the future for them, “This is the only meeting I have ever had at KICC, and Eric and his team told us how life was going to change for us.” The initial meeting was successful, and they had an opportunity to communicate their desires before heading back to Nairobi.
Things took an exciting turn when they were flown to Eldoret, marking their first plane ride from Nairobi to the city. Big Afrique Studios extended a warm welcome, complete with a convoy of cars that picked them up at the airport. The promise of a deal was in the air, and the group eagerly awaited the next steps.
However, as time passed, the promises seemed to fade away. The deal never materialized, and the group’s hopes began to dwindle. Disappointment struck harder when they learned that money had been released for their venture, a substantial amount of Ksh 450,000. Shockingly, they only received Ksh 25,000 each. The mismatch between the promised funds and what they actually received left them puzzled and hurt.
As if this wasn’t enough, the ordeal took an even darker turn. Eric and his team exploited them, inviting them to clubs without informing them that these were appearances that should have been compensated. It’s disheartening to think of fellow artists taking advantage of their peers who are working hard to make a name for themselves.
Wrapping up their narrative, Vijana Barubaru shared valuable advice for young and upcoming artists. They stressed the importance of understanding the business side of the industry and being cautious of potential exploiters. Their closing words resonated deeply, “Artistes please, learn the business… and please don’t steal everything, Chuna ukipiliza.” It’s a plea to maintain integrity and support one another rather than engaging in exploitative practices.
So there you have it, a glimpse into Vijana Barubaru’s journey through the music industry. It’s a tale of highs and lows, dashed hopes and lessons learned. Remember, dear reader, the music world isn’t all glitz and glamour; there are challenges and pitfalls too. Let’s hope that sharing stories like these encourages a more transparent and supportive environment for artists in Kenya and beyond.