The Kenyan music scene is currently witnessing a sharp divide between two of its biggest stars. A heated exchange has erupted between singer Otile Brown and rapper Femi One following a candid interview regarding mental health and career longevity.
A Candid Confession
The friction began after Otile Brown appeared in an interview with Mwende Macharia on Radio Jambo. The "Baby Love" hitmaker addressed his recent period of reduced musical output, describing it as a time of intense personal transformation.
Otile revealed he had been fighting demons behind the scenes. He described the experience as a process of being reborn, stating, “Nilikua nazaliwa upya.”
The singer admitted that the immense pressure of maintaining a high-profile career nearly led him to walk away from the industry entirely.
The admission did not sit well with Femi One. Taking to the social media platform X, the "Utawezana" rapper appeared to dismiss the singer’s explanation as an excuse for a lack of commercial success.
Femi One suggested that artists often cite "demons" when they fail to produce a viral hit. She noted that the industry naturally involves rising and falling and urged fellow musicians to focus on building their brands so they do not feel discouraged when they lack a "trendy" song.
“Wasanii wakikosa trendy song wanasema they were fighting demons 😂 its part of the process guys!! Kuna kupanda na kushuka there’s so much more that makes a brand other than making a trendy song maybe start focusing on those other aspects ndio ukikosa trendy usifeel ni kama you are lugging behind,” she tweeted.
Classics Versus Trends
Otile Brown quickly fired back in the comment section of an Instagram blog. He drew a firm line between his work and the viral nature of modern music, claiming that his focus is on longevity rather than temporary popularity.
“We don't do trendy music, we do classics,” he wrote. He challenged other artists to try making "timeless records," suggesting that his enduring catalogue is why he remains booked for performances even without a current hit on the charts.
He ended his retort with a sharp contrast: “They’re trying to get back on the net; we’re trying to get back in the flesh”.
“Try making timeless records and maybe you’ll understand why we stay booked even when we don't have a hit out.” — Otile Brown.
Femi One opted for a brief, pointed response to Otile's Instagram comment. Using two Luo words, she replied: “Awuoro ndiii !!”. The phrase, which translates to an expression of great shock or disbelief, served as the final exclamation point in the public spat.
Despite the controversy, Otile Brown remains one of Kenya’s most-streamed contemporary artists. He is currently promoting a new Extended Play (EP) which features a collaboration with Willy Paul, signalling a return to the industry after his hiatus.
The singer continues to warn against the dangers of online scrutiny, stating that "social media pressure is not worth peace of mind."
While many fans have rallied behind him for his honesty, the debate between "timeless artistry" and "viral trends" continues to trend across East African social platforms.
