The Dark Side of Fame: Kahush on Why He Paused Music

Kahush, the youngest son of Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, shot to fame in late 2019 after releasing Mi Siwezi.

At the time, he was just making music for fun, without expecting to blow up.

"Mi Siwezi completely changed my life, man. It changed everything about me, even how I think about music now. When I put that song out, there was never any intention of blowing up. It was just about rapping and putting stuff out for fun, for the homies," he said in a past interview.

But with fame came unexpected pressure—especially from the public once they realized he was the son of a high-ranking government official.

While the song’s success opened doors for him, it also came with intense scrutiny and online criticism.

The Dark Side of Social Media

In a September 2021 interview with Tony Muriithi, Kahush revealed how social media bullying in 2020, at the peak of his career, affected him deeply.

"I think they love me. I think guys who hate me love me the most. I’m there, I’ve never had a manager—I post for myself," he shared.

Despite his growing popularity, online trolls were relentless, often tearing down his work instead of appreciating it.

"I got pissed, it was too much. They were chatting about my project, but they didn’t appreciate it. I called my babe and told her, ‘These guys are doing too much,’" he admitted.

The negativity became overwhelming, making him question whether the fame was worth it. He took a break from the music scene to reset and regain his focus.

Learning to Embrace Fame

Kahush acknowledges that fame comes with both good and bad sides, but at first, he focused too much on the negatives.

"Nobody prepares you for fame. When I exploded, I was young. Fame came with both positives and negatives, but at the time, I focused mostly on the negatives. It’s human nature—most of the time, you tend to see the bad in things," he said during an recent interview with online media.

“Nobody prepares you for fame. When I exploded, I was young. So fame came with both negatives and positives, but at the time I focused mostly on the negatives. Because I was young I could feel the good but I focused on the bad, I think it’s human nature that most of the time you tend to see the bad of things. There was so much hate from Kenyans about X and that took its toll on me for a long time, that was the time I disappeared from the music scene to adjust to the new reality. Now I am enjoying the fame," he added.

Carving His Own Path

Despite his father’s political position, Kahush is determined to build his own name in the industry.

"I’m not bothered that my dad is in politics and government. I’m doing my own thing," he said.

He also revealed that his father listens to his music and supports his career.

"I know it wasn’t like that—I was already picking up on my own. He likes it, he enjoys it. He knows everything I’m talking about," Kahush shared.

With a fresh outlook on fame and a renewed passion for music, Kahush is ready to make his mark, this time on his own terms.