Kenyan singer Jovial has spoken candidly about her past working relationship with fellow musician Otile Brown, revealing that payment disputes overshadowed what she described as an otherwise good creative partnership.

Speaking on the Alex Mwakideu TV Podcast, the "Such Kinda Love" hitmaker said she has no plans to work with Otile Brown again, despite acknowledging that he played a significant role in her musical journey.

"Working with Otile Brown was okay. Payments were the biggest problem," she opened up.

Jovial explained that while they produced successful music together, disagreements over royalties and payments created tension behind the scenes.

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'I wasn't getting anything'

The singer revisited the success of Such Kinda Love, the 2021 collaboration that introduced her to a wider audience and became one of Kenya's biggest love songs.
However, she claimed that despite the song's popularity, she did not receive the earnings she expected.

"Kitu ambacho watu hawakijui, Such Kinda Love ikitoka mimi nilikuwa nalala chini. Tumefanya kazi, ila kuna makato, split sheet... but I don't get anything out of it. I wasn't getting anything."

jovial_ke // Instagram

Jovial alleged that although she signed a split-sheet agreement, she never received her copy of the document.

She further claimed that attempts to follow up on royalty payments led to unexpected responses.

"Kwanza tulisign a split sheet, I had an agreement. The copy of the split sheet haikutumwa kitu cha kwanza."She added:

"Nawapigia ambao wanafaa kutuma the percentage, wananiambia wao walipigiwa simu tukaambiwa tusitisishe kutuma pesa. Na si ngoma moja."
Her remarks come months after the two artists publicly disagreed over royalty payments and ownership of songs they worked on together.

'He is difficult to work with'

Jovial also described Otile Brown as stubborn when it comes to collaborations, saying the challenges extended beyond financial matters.

"We have had issues, but sikutarajia aamke akapost vile."

According to the singer, her management team is familiar with the difficulties she experienced whenever they planned to work together.

"Every song that I have to feature him, anasumbuanga. Ata management yangu inajua anasumbua sana."

The comments revisit a disagreement that previously spilled onto social media after both artists exchanged public statements regarding their professional relationship.

'I meant every word'

During the interview, Jovial stood by comments she had previously made on Instagram, in which she claimed Otile Brown had never genuinely wished her well.
Asked whether she regretted those remarks, she maintained that her position had not changed.

"I meant every word I said, and I'm not going back on my words."

jovial_ke // Instagram

She also made it clear that she would not consider recording another song with the singer.

"I wouldn't do a collabo with Otile."

'He played a role, but so did I'

Despite the fallout, Jovial acknowledged Otile Brown's influence on her career, saying she appreciates the opportunities they shared.
However, she insisted that her own talent and hard work also contributed to their success.

"Yes, he has played a role in my career, but pia mimi nimechangia."

The singer's remarks reflect a growing conversation within Kenya's music industry about collaboration agreements, royalty distribution and the importance of clear contracts between artists.

Congratulating those who speak out

Beyond discussing her experience with Otile Brown, Jovial encouraged people to speak openly about difficult situations instead of suffering in silence.

She said fear of criticism often prevents people from sharing their struggles, sometimes with devastating consequences.

"Kuna kitu nimekuja nikarealise... that's why most people don't like to talk about it because wanatukanwa sana. Inawalemea."
She added:
"So many people go through a lot. People go through depression because they don't want to speak about certain things. Unapata mtu anakufa tu kimya."
Jovial praised those who choose to tell their stories despite public criticism.
"I want to congratulate people who speak. Those people are very strong."