Ethic Entertainment has been at the epicenter of the gengetone uprising.
The Kenyan music scene has seen a rival of some sort with a new genre dubbed gengetone bring new acts such as Ethic Entertainment, Boondocks, Ochungulo Family and more to the fore. With a different type of beat, clever rhymes and vulgar videos, artists such as Ethic have taken everything up a notch. However, it seems that the direction might not be pleasing to all especially those who do not relate to the content. And after having two of their releases, ‘Tarimbo’ and ‘Figa’ taken down from the video-sharing platform YouTube, Ethic is determined to find a way around the rules.
And now the group has dropped another release, with the same format as all their other tracks. The only difference is the visuals for the new drop ‘Maji Maji’ is a compilation of previously taken footage; stitched together to make a video that premiers on the Richy Haniel account. The video still has skimpily dressed women degrading themselves in obscene dances and of course, the same content centered around sex.
Taking to Twitter, the group announced that the video is finally out. This makes it the 7th release from Ethic this year, but the first to premier on Richy Haniel’s account and not Ethic’s official YouTube account. Since its release on November 15th, the track has only gained a disappointing 77K views. Its dismal performance has to lead the group pushing the new track on Twitter to increase viewership.
It would be unfortunate not to learn from that debacle. To think rape culture is okay because "it's what happens in society" or because "it's breaking rules" is not okay at all. Learn. be humble. Be better. You've got the talent and the passion. https://t.co/u9igmz4Ucs
— Phinehas Finn (@Pmuthomi) November 13, 2019
The use of a proxy account has many questioning what has motivated the use of the proxy account. Most fans are not impressed, but this might be the only way for Ethic to avoid the heavy repurccions that come with another video being taken down. Based on the content shared on the account, Richy Haniel is also an artist and works closely with other local acts to share their content. With more than 150k subscribers, Haniel has quite the following.
Nonetheless, it is clear that the use of Haniel’s account did not go unnoticed by fans.
Why didn't you guys upload it on Ethic Entertainment-Youtube channel..I ended viewing the video late because I thought the channel you are using now is not yours, anyway…imewezaaa
— Aeldra (@aeldr_a) November 17, 2019
More importantly, some are anticipating the video might also suffer the same fate as ‘Figa’ and ‘Tarimbo’ thanks to KFCB boss Ezekiel Mutua.
Wacha I watch it before that Mutua does his thaing
— Chemos (@Chemosit18) November 17, 2019
However, it seems that the group is determined to cut through the red tape and create their own path. Despite making headlines for the highly offensive lyrics in the track ‘Tarimbo’ the group is clear that they have unwavering drive to continue making music for the masses. When approached by a tweep online over their alarming lyrics, Ethic quickly dodged the question insisting that creativity does not stem from following the rules.
It would be unfortunate not to learn from that debacle. To think rape culture is okay because "it's what happens in society" or because "it's breaking rules" is not okay at all. Learn. be humble. Be better. You've got the talent and the passion. https://t.co/u9igmz4Ucs
— Phinehas Finn (@Pmuthomi) November 13, 2019
What do you think of the new Ethic release ‘Maji Maji’?
