Kenyan socialite and entrepreneur Huddah Monroe has claimed that Nigerian artists are more popular in Kenya than in Nigeria itself. She took to her social media to express her pride in the international success of Nigerian musicians, asserting that Kenya often serves as their first stepping stone to global recognition.
“In Kenya, we know more upcoming Nigerian artistes than Nigeria. They always stop by Kenya before they blow up & that’s a fact. We’re our brothers’ keepers,” she wrote.
Monroe’s statement is not entirely unfounded. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of Nigerian artists touring Kenya and collaborating with Kenyan artists. Some of the biggest names in Afrobeats, such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido, have all performed in Kenya to sold-out crowds.
There are a number of reasons why Nigerian artists may be more popular in Kenya than in Nigeria. One reason is that the Kenyan music industry is less developed than the Nigerian music industry. This means that there are fewer opportunities for Kenyan artists to break through, and therefore they are more likely to look to other countries for success.
Another reason is that Kenyan culture is very receptive to foreign music. Kenyans are generally more open to listening to music from other countries, especially music from Africa. This is in contrast to Nigeria, where there is a strong preference for local music.
Finally, it is also possible that Nigerian artists are simply more talented than Kenyan artists. This is a matter of opinion, of course, but there is no doubt that Nigeria has produced some of the most successful musicians in Africa in recent years.
Whatever the reason, Huddah Monroe’s statement is a testament to the growing popularity of Afrobeats in Kenya and around the world.
