Kenyan music videos are sometimes characterised by posh homes and luxury cars.
Some musicians flaunt expensive items such as watches, phones, clothes or even bundles of cash.
Given the opulence in the videos, one might imagine that the singers are swimming in riches, crooning from the land of milk and honey.
But this is sometimes not the case, especially for musicians who sing Luo benga music.
This normally turns out when they die and families and friends start to seek financial support to cater for their burial expenses.
And at the burial of Benga musician Juliana Auma Okumu, popularly known as Princess Jully in Bondo Nyironge, Suna West in Migori County on Thursday, popular Luo Benga singers poured their hearts out revealing how most artistes are having financial problems.
Most of them said they are not the way some people might imagine them to be and attributed their tribulations to music piracy, lack of support from government and lack of unity among themselves as some of the factors which they said deprive them of a decent life.
Mr Kevin Omondi, popularly known as Dolar Kabarry, said many musicians have raised complains about piracy but they have not been helped.
“We all accepted the transition to digital because of the many benefits it has. But it has also brought a lot of challenges, especially in protecting music from piracy,” Mr Omondi said.
According to Kabarry, most benga musicians are sourcing for funds through live performances in different concerts.
“Social media is challenging because it depends on the number of people who interact with your song,” the musician said.
Having no major source of income makes some artistes take a backseat from the entertainment industry.
Kabarry said it has become expensive for musicians to shoot videos for new songs and it is currently difficult to get good producers who have exited the music scene because their work was affected by piracy.
“You need up to Sh300,000 to produce a benga song because of its complex nature. Unlike ohangla where a keyboard is enough to produce beats, benga requires a lot of expertise in musical instruments,” he said.
The musician appealed for help from the government, saying great benga musicians should be remembered by establishing a monument in their honour.
“I knew her when I just got into the music industry. So, she was like a mother to me. I respected her because she is my elder,” the musician said.
Legendary Benga musician Elly Akumu, popularly known as Osito Kalle, said all musicians should be united. He argued that some individuals do not like joining their colleagues for collaborations.
He argued that a few artistes are not ready to share experiences with others when they consider themselves successful after singing popular music.
“Most Luo musicians do not have homes, and I have always dreamt of bringing them together so that we can advise each other on ways of overcoming our challenges,” Mr Akumu said.
Kalle argued that musicians from other regions, especially central Kenya, get more support than their counterparts from the lake region.
According to the musician, lack of unity among benga musicians from the lake region is one of the main reasons why they are facing more difficulties at their time of need.
“She was quick to correct whoever was making a mistake. She was bold,” he said, terming Princess Jully the queen of benga.
Mr Tom Kodiyo, a former official at the Music Copyright Society of Kenya, said most artistes have brought misery unto themselves because they are not united.
“We have tried to unite them through associations and other forums,” he said.
According to Mr Kodiyo, a few musicians have started understanding the benefits of being united.
He said music piracy may not stop soon, adding that it is like corruption, unemployment and poverty which are hard to deal with.
“The government has realised there is a lot of money in the music industry. But instead of assisting musicians to benefit, they are trying to take over the music economy,” Mr Kadiyo said.
In difficult moments, some artistes like Tom Angaga popularly known as Atommy Sifa turned to social media to seek financial assistance.
According to the artistes, the government, through the ministry of Tourism and Culture, should support musicians.
“Music is part of our culture. You will listen to music on most occasions you attend yet artistes do not get support from the State,” said Sifa.
Sife described Princess Jully as a mother, noting that he started his music career at her feet.
“I joined her team as a dancer before I started singing,” he said.
She however rose to fame through her hit song Dunia Mbaya which was inspired by how she saw her friends die, owing to the lifestyle they lived.
During this time, HIV was wiping out families and the musician wanted to send a message that no one is safe.
In her lyrics, she warned that the disease does not spare anyone including those in First World countries.
Unlike other funerals where burial songs are sung, during Jully’s funeral service, her songs would play in between speeches.
Ida Odinga, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, her Migori counterpart Ochilo Ayacko and other politicians attended the funeral.
“We will miss her presence, but her music and rich humanity certainly remain with those who knew her,” Ms Wanga said, noting that she has always supported musicians.
She told mourners that as the Homa Bay Woman Representative, she introduced a bill in Parliament that supports musicians.
“Musicians should be rewarded for their efforts when their music is heard as someone calls on the mobile phone (Skiza tune). Through my bill, musicians get an increment in the amount of money they get,” Ms Wanga said.
The funeral service was led by the Legio Maria Church, where the deceased was a member.
Governor Ayacko described her as a musician with a message and described her as an international star.
“She could sing, lead and teach. She was a great musician and the whole world will miss her voice,” he said.
According to the governor, the lesson that Jully taught the word especially with her song on HIV will remain in the minds of many people. He said the song and others inspired a lot of people.
“She fellowshiped with a church that is looked down upon but she rose to become a celebrity,” Governor Ayacho said.
Benga musicians Susana Owiyo, Linet Aluoch popularly known as Aluoch Pamba, Tony Nyadundo among others attended the funeral service.
