Rapper Virusi Mbaya has never been one to shy away from bold moves.
As co-founder of the YGB (Young, Gifted and Black) collective and a lyricist known for blending raw hip-hop with spoken-word intensity, he has carved a niche in Kenya’s underground rap scene.
Yesterday April 29 2026, he released his official rate card for bookings which many felt was not up to par with his music catalogue.
Book with us now pic.twitter.com/6JLdeawEbu
— Virusi Mbaya (@VirusimbayaSV) April 29, 2026
For a full club performance lasting 15 to 30 minutes, Virusi Mbaya is charging Sh120,000. Club appearances without performing come in at Sh75,000, while music features or hooks start from Sh60,000.
The post carried a simple call to action, “Book with us now.”
The announcement quickly sparked lively debate across Kenyan social media.
Supporters praised his confidence, arguing that artists should know their worth in an industry where many undervalue their craft.
One fan noted, “Name the price always… those who love your songs will just book you,” while another defended the figures as “very reasonable rates for an artist of his calibre.”
Defenders highlighted his longevity from early spoken-word roots and features with heavyweights like Scar Mkadinali and Wakadinali, to consistent output that has earned him respect among lyricism enthusiasts.
Yet the overwhelming majority of reactions were sharply critical, particularly regarding the performance fee.
Many repeatedly called the Sh120,000 price tag overinflated for a short set, with several joking that “no one is paying 120gs to hear you sing nilitoboa ukuta ya jirani for 30 minutes.”
Others suggested he was “overpricing himself” and urged him to “adjust kidogo” or risk pricing out potential clients.
Some pointed out that 15–30 minutes felt too brief for such a sum, likening it more to an opening act slot than a headline performance.
Beyond the pricing, the poster itself drew near-universal scorn for its visual quality. Multiple users pointed out the AI-generated graphics, describing them as “depressing to the eye,” “overused,” and “ugly.”
“Just hire a graphics designer and stop with this AI slop,” one reply read, while another urged, “Lipa designer, get something that connects.”