Veteran Benga and Rhumba musician Reggy Kabaselleh has raised alarm over the growing trend of unoriginal Ohangla remixes by upcoming artistes, saying the practice is causing confusion and harming the music industry in Western Kenya.
Speaking out against what he termed as “creative laziness,” Kabaselleh questioned why young musicians are rushing to remix existing works instead of investing time in original compositions that can positively influence society.
“Why can’t these young musicians take their time to come up with their own desirable compositions? Research is key for anyone who wants to succeed in this industry,” he said.
The Orchestra Kiddi Masanga Band leader noted that the problem is most prevalent among younger artistes who, he claims, are flooding the market with remixes rather than authentic music.
“They only come up with remixes of other artistes’ work. We are all in competition and should not take advantage of other people’s creativity,” he said, adding that such practices deny original musicians their rightful royalties.
Kabaselleh warned that the pursuit of quick money could ultimately ruin the careers of young artistes, stressing that stakeholders must put measures in place to curb what he described as mediocrity.
The 47-year-old musician, a son of the late Ochieng’ Kabaselleh of Orchestra Lunna Kiddi, said he remains committed to protecting the reputation of Benga and Rhumba music, which is facing stiff competition from Ohangla.
“They should not think Benga is dead. We are keen to maintain our status and market share as we steadily make a strong comeback,” he said.
However, Kabaselleh was full of praise for Ohangla artistes who prioritise originality, singling out Otieno Aloka, Dr Odhialo, and the late Maureen as true professionals. He also lauded Nyadundo brothers Tony and Jack, describing them as a powerhouse in Ohangla music whose success was earned through hard work.
On the future of the industry, Kabaselleh said collaborations are essential for survival in an increasingly competitive market, citing Congolese musicians as successful examples.
With a career spanning over three decades, Kabaselleh has released four albums comprising 30 songs, earning him numerous local and international performance invitations. His band toured Europe between 2010 and 2015 and is now eyeing a tour of the Americas.
Despite his success, he acknowledged that digitisation has significantly affected earnings, with easy access to music through CDs and online platforms leading to massive revenue losses.
“Digitisation has eaten into our profits, but we remain resilient and focused on our craft,” he said.
One-sentence summary
Veteran musician Reggy Kabaselleh has criticised the rise of unoriginal Ohangla remixes, warning that the trend is hurting creativity, denying artistes royalties, and threatening the future of Kenyan music.