Legendary genge musician Kendi has said that female musicians in the country are having it easier now than they did when she started out.
Kendi, who is one of the pioneers of female genge music, recalled the level of disrespect that female musicians of her generation were shown when they were trying to break into the industry.
“Things are different now,” she said. “Back then, female musicians were seen as prostitutes. You couldn’t get your songs played on the radio without the people in charge demanding sexual favors. This was a common practice at the time, and I still see some of the people who asked me for sexual favors running shows today.”
Kendi said that she refused to give in to these demands, even though it cost her.
“I’m glad about how I was raised,” she said. “I didn’t have to sleep my way to the top. Some of my peers did, and their careers took off while mine kind of stagnated before I made it. I think if I had given in to their demands, I would probably be much more famous than I am today.”
Kendi also pointed out that things have changed in terms of how female musicians are paid.
“These days, I see some producers asking for money to play your song on the radio,” she said. “Back then, it was like an unwritten rule that you had to give sexual favors. Some would even ask for money and sexual favors. It was very difficult for us.”
Kendi also cited remuneration as another challenge that female musicians of her generation faced.
“It didn’t matter how good you were or how big your music was,” she said. “We were always paid less than our male counterparts. Even when it came to promotion, our male counterparts were the ones who got their music pushed more.”
Kendi praised the late Lady S for paving the way for female artists back then. She recalled how the late artist would confront male counterparts whenever they tried to hustle her for sexual favors.
Kendi’s comments are a reminder of the challenges that female musicians have faced in the past. However, it is clear that things are slowly changing, and that female musicians are now having a better chance of success.
