Popular musician Esther Akothee has opened up about the sometimes tricky relationship between artists and music producers.
In a statement, the singer noted that being a talented producer or songwriter does not automatically make one a successful artist. She said problems often arise when professional boundaries blur, leading to jealousy and competition.
“The moment you mix the two, jealousy and competition creep in. Whenever you work with an artist on a project, and the song becomes big, you start feeling like it should have been you on it,” she explained.
Akothee emphasised that music thrives on collaboration, noting that producers and artists rely on each other. She also noted that just as producers need artists, artists depend on recording studios to execute their work.
“There is no music without a producer, and there is no producer without artists. Music is community work,” she said, highlighting how radio and TV stations also rely on artists’ content to entertain audiences. Clubs and DJs, she added, depend on artists’ music to engage fans, who often enjoy the songs without knowing who produced them.
The singer further discussed the sacrifices behind success, explaining that emotional strain and long hours often go unnoticed.
“A music video is a maximum of four minutes, yet it can take a whole day to shoot, a full week to prepare, and another week to edit,” she said.
Akothee also expressed frustration with delays in studios, especially when producers fail to deliver final mixes on time. She said this sometimes forces artists to release unfinished songs, which can be discouraging.
“One week passes. Two weeks pass. You become agitated, frustrated, and detached from the song. The producer suddenly pretends to be extremely busy, yet you saw him scrolling on his phone the whole time,” she explained.
Akothee, born Esther Akoth Kokeyo, is a prominent Kenyan musician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist widely recognized for her energetic stage presence and outspoken personality.
Since starting her music career in 2008, she has become one of East Africa’s most decorated female artists, known for hits like “Sweet Love” and “Give It to Me” and collaborations with international stars such as Diamond Platnumz and Flavour.
Beyond the stage, she is a successful businesswoman who founded Akothee Safaris, a tour and travel company, and manages ventures in real estate and fashion.
She also leads the Akothee Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to education and poverty alleviation in marginalized communities.