EXCLUSIVE: Vaida hitmaker Harry Richie seeks to transform Luhya music
In the past few days, celebrated Luhya vernacular singer Harry Richie who rose to fame due to his hit song, Vaida, has been defending his stance that Luhya music is “crap” and not where it should be in Kenya’s music scene.
“Since time immemorial, the #luhyia community have been listening to crap music, I am very sorry abe ingo (my fellow Luhyas) (but) as an artist, I understand the pain of listening to crap content. (For example) same tune, and melody with the piano instrument… the end of an era. As a game changer in the Luhyia music industry, I hereby introduce to you new faces with sweet melodies, well composed, energetic, and an army that is going sweep away trash. This army is irresistible!!!!!” claimed Vaida in one of his brow-raising posts.
His statement ended up ruffling the feathers of Luhya music lovers who had all sorts of responses for him, many not so kind that Nairobi News won’t republish them.
However, in defense, Vaida spoke to Nairobi News about his vision for the Luhya music scene, saying he intended to transform it just as Tanzanian superstar musician Diamond Platinumz’ managed to do with Bongo music.
“As much as I am trying to change the quality of Luhya music, some of my fellow artists are bitter about me due to lack of understanding. I am right (about all this) and supportive of other artists. So far, I have signed up two local artists from Western Kenya and have been promoting them on my social media timelines. One of them is Khoja. I am a composed artiste who is trying to mentor and change the Luhya music (industry) like Diamond of Tanzania,” said Vaida.
Vaida chose Diamond as his visionary mentor because he is one of the greatest musicians out of East Africa, and his success impacted several other top artists who were first signed to his Wasafi Records music label before they ventured out on their own. Such artists include Harmonize and Rayvanny. Diamond is also the driver of success behind other top singers including Mbosso and Zuchu, his signee/on-off girlfriend.
“He is the only highest (earning) artist who earns from royalties, YouTube, brand (partnerships) and giving. He is known in and out of the country; and when he speaks, he is always right because he wants artists to earn and be modern,” added Vaida.
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