Cabu Gah Diaries: Hundreds of Thousands of Youtube views. And then what???

Ratchet videos and thousands of Youtube views. Is the Justin Bieber effect possible in Kenya???

Lately,Kenyan artists, led by some of the best in the game, Sauti Sol, have been churning out some of the seediest, shadiest and even shoddiest music videos ever to assault our eyes.

And while the likes of Sauti Sol do actually have some truly hypnotic vocals and genuinely amazing music, others songs have been downright revolting. And painful to the ear.

Well, that aside. Its about the videos here.

In what seems like a fad, there is a general consensus that the raunchier the video, the quicker the fame and the higher the number of Youtube views. Well, its true. But then again,what next??

Currently,One of the most watched Youtube music video from Kenya-POMBE BHANGI-is that of a Kenyan rapper with not much of a rapping skill in the first place, anyway. His name is,Rajayjay. And, Yes,You read that right. I guess if You have the confidence to baptize Yourself Rajayjay,then there very little You aren’t ready to do. Or overdo.

 

 

As we speak, that video currently stands at 110,000 views after a measly 7 days. Ok, let’s take a breather. And repeat that again, 110,000 views. Ok, Good.

And that other one, the one involving some of the most crass display of ass and buttcracks and unpalatable skin and fat. Blaqy’s Money Maker. If you haven’t watched it, Good. Don’t watch. No need to complicate your life.

Blaqy’s clip is currently standing at 73,000 views. After less than a month. Still a whooping number,going by Kenya’s status.

 

And then the Sauti Sol number, NISHIKE. Not crappy. Or trashy. But still steamy. And seriously raunchy. You can clearly see the “Boys” walking around bare-chested,belting out their legendary tunes and cradling a bevy of skimpily-clad video vixens. And You can also see ass. And abs. And a steamy bedroom setting. And that video?? Well,it lapped up close to 500,000 views within a freaking month. Big deal.

And we can close up with the Sanaipei Tande clip for her absolutely seductive jam,MFALME WA MAPENZI. It stands at 390,000 views as we speak. Whoa. And that’s from a girl who had stopped being relevant 66 Years ago. Good for her.

 

Well,after all those views, then what?? Where does Blaqy go from here??? Where does Rajayjay go?? What does he do next??? How does he push forward his brand??? And actually become a big shot??

Unfortunately,in this country,GOING VIRAL MEANS NOTHING. Absolutely NOTHING.

Not unless this is U.S.A, and You are Justin Bieber. Or Michelle Phan. Or Iggy Azaleia. Or Austin Mahone. All of whom BLEW UP after going viral on Youtube.

In Kenya going viral is as good as taking a poop outside Harambee House. You will cause a scene, alright. And attract viewers, true. But that’s that. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Going viral in Kenya DOES NOT NECESSARILY TRANSLATE to OFFICIAL fame and power and fortunes.

No big label will come knocking on Your doors ready to sign You. No music scout will swoosh down at your door ready to transform your life. No one will give you any damn recording deal. No promoter will stumble over themselves rushing to book you. Or manager scrambling to represent You. NO. FORGET IT.

GO VIRAL. THEN GO HOME.

Not unless You are an already established brand like Sauti Sol,then,well,churning out super-raunchy videos may seem like the way to go. But the question will always remain: GO WHERE???

After the videos rack up all those hundreds of thousands of views, simply because they shocked us or surprised us or simply outraged us, DOES THAT translate to money in the bank?? Or the beginning of a long-term music career?? Hardly.

But if Kenya were like any other developed country,the likes of Rajayjay and Blaqy and any other ‘shock-jock’ performer would be touring the country like right now.

Playing sold out shows and getting endorsements and getting signed to labels and making big bucks and being added to the Safaricom Live tour repertoires. But that is NEVER happening. Not today. Or tomorrow.

But the minute Justin Bieber went viral on Youtube,His life changed the following day. Same case to Korean sensation Psy. Same case to Lana Del Rey,Macklemore,Greyson Chance,Gotye or Katy Perry.

The minute they went viral,THE WORLD OF MUSIC STOPPED AT THEIR DOORSTEPS. They were bombarded with crazy offers and deals and invitations and suggestions from tens of Music Industry honchos. All because of going viral on Youtube. And racking up thousands, nay, millions of views for their underground music.

But even with a million Youtube views for Blaqy, for instance, chances are that he may still remain underground for a beautiful, long time to come.

Take it or leave  it.

Around here,the GAME IS DIFFERENT.

You can shock audiences with the most outrageous,lascivious,erotic,slutty or ratchet music video. But after the hundreds of thousands of views, nothing will change. NOTHING.

You will still wake up and struggle hard like you used to do a month earlier. Because, THIS IS KENYA.

And after we are shocked by you, WE DO NOTHING ABOUT IT.

Maybe unknown artists need a different strategy. Or Kenya’s Music gurus should start paying serious attention to these artists with hundreds of thousands of Youtube subscribers. And views.

In the meantime,Keep them ratchet videos coming. Lets see how that works out for You.