Once upon a time in a land in the east side of Africa called Kenya something
spellbinding happened.
A group of libertine slice-of-life young boys from an area called eastlands decided to compose a song. The song wasn't artistic like an Orchestra symphony by Dolly Parton or socially conscious like an album lead-single from Nassir Bin Olu Dara Jones popularly known as Nas.
It was an explicit ear-shocker capable of making nuns to hold on tight to their rosaries and say "forgive them Lord." in unison
The teenagers called the song "Lamba Lolo." but they didn't forget to give themselves a name too. They unanimously agreed to go by the name ethic, despite the fact that what they were singing was devoid of ethics.
To accompany the audio, they did a low quality video that looked like it had been shot with an old school Motorola flip-flop phone. Not only did the video lack proper direction but it was also overcrowded. I guess someone was shouting "Kujeni mtokee kwa vidaa" (come over you'll appear in a video) to any teenager that was passing near the shoot. It was obvious that they were just having fun and didn't expect it to be anything major.
On May 31st 2018 Ethic posted the video on YouTube. Little did they know that they were about to become overnight sensation. Within a short time the song had gone viral and everyone was talking about them
Lamba lolo now sits at 4 million YouTube views. That's a big achievement for newcomers and especially for artists in Kenya. Only the likes of Willy Paul, Sauti Sol, and Otile Brown have managed to hit such hits in the past.
After the surprise success of their song, they stuck to the same formula and released five more songs just like it. There was 'New position' 'saba' 'Instagram' then 'Pandana' to 'figa'
As expected, other people now want to ride in the same fairly tale. Several Ethic copycats have now emerged and attempted to use the same modus operandi. An alarming number of young Kenyans are forming groups and releasing ostentatious vulgar songs which never land quite right. They then accompany these songs with doltish low-budgeted videos. Such groups are the Sailors, Zero Sufuri, Wakali wao among others.
It's a worrisome trend. These kids are hoping to be the next ethic but as expected, their songs aren't gaining any major traction. The only thing that's going their way is unlimited outrage.
There is a reason why Ethic as a group work together so well. All the members bring something different to the table . Reckless is the chorus guy and flow guy who always get the tracks kicking. Swat is a likable lad who says outrageous things that gets people talking. Seska is the talented rapper who gives the group legitimacy as a proper hip-hop group capable of delivering heavy bars and Zilla is not a disappointment either.
The groups that are trying to copy Ethic don't have this kind of aptitude-diversity hence their songs end up sounding odd and eerie.
They might not be the first to mould themselves in the loop likeness of popular stars but they might as well be the laziest. Unlike Ethic these groups are trying to force stardom. The emergence of these groups shows how some people don't take themselves seriously. If you are serious about your career in music you would never copy anyone else.
My sincere advice to copycats is that always endeavor to be a first rate version of yourself not a second rate version of somebody else.
During the recent play Kenyan Music debate, those who were against the idea of forcing the idea to play Kenyan Music were quick to bring up songs by these idle teenagers to prove that how Kenyan music had become horrible to listen to. I didn't like the idea of using Ethic as a case study as to why Kenyan music ought not to receive massive air play.
This is because that is totally unfair to the good artists that are trying to come up. Copycats are the only ones supposed to be cursed and shunned. If indeed you are serious about music come up with your own style copying will only make you relevant for a short time and then you disappear into oblivion.
By Ben Mugambi
