This is What it Means for Kenyans Now That Prince is Dead! #TasteAFeeling

Prince is dead! That’s the story carrying the headline of major news channels across the world. He was found unresponsive in an elevator on Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, a County official said and intervention by paramedics did nothing to save him.

He was gone and with him musical prowess which awed millions and millions across the globe. At only 57, he was the maestro behind major hits like Want to be your lover and purple rain and was a major contributor to the pop music scene as we know it now.

Now here is the worst part, he was among the only few musical legends we have in the world now since Michael Jackson is gone, Luther Vandross and David Bowie who passed on just recently.

His death happened millions of kilometers away but it bears great significance to Kenya in a myriad of ways. First of all he has been an inspiration to many artists who right now we relate and look up to in the modern day generations. For example Beyonce, she’s an inspiration to many here in the 254 and where do you think she got her inspiration from, Prince!

Besides that, the guy was only 57 but he had the energy and vigour of a zebu bull on heat with shows lined up all the way from here to the land of Magufuli. That should tell you something, that the journey for an artist never stops. Some Kenya musicians make some quick bucks from a number of shows in a couple of years and they are ready to quit their ego clearly taking centre stage.

Prince has sold over a 100 million copies of records but he still understood that the fans were king; they were the major contributors of his success which he had accrued for more than 30 years. When he has to miss a show like he did recently due to some medical conditions, then he publicly apologizes and makes sure he compensates for it. But here in Kenya, when an artist happens to have a couple of hit records on heavy rotation, then they become a diva who shoves their arrogance to anyone who dares to give them an audience.

Could I also dare to mention his celebrity lifestyle which was built upon a solid PR front which ensured he remained relevant to his fans and to the children of these fans. Looking at the situation in this part of the world, artists think they can make it on their own and spending on continuous publicity is a waste of resources. In thus, their success instantly becomes a stumbling block which immediately collapses when a small wave washes on the shores.

The guy even created the popular phrase, “This could be us but you are playing” which is a major component in a behemoth of lyrical writings for many creators abroad and here in Kenya.

Anyway, I would go on and on but it’s a Friday, a day we maintain happy thoughts. Plus I need to mourn in peace and let the world know my feelings while at it. Thank God for Coca Cola’s Taste a Feeling which makes sure I have enough gif’s going around to express my sorrow and which I can share online.

As you were!