Kenyan Arbantone artist Tipsy Gee has shared his thoughts on what it means to trend as a musician, saying not every viral moment delivers the same value.
Speaking during an interview on Str8Up, the singer explained that while some artists chase online numbers, he prefers visibility that can translate into long-term business opportunities, particularly corporate partnerships.
“Trending has two sides”
Tipsy Gee said there are different kinds of success when an artist trends.
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“Trending has two things in it. You can trend and get market in terms of numbers, or you can trend and get corporate business.”
According to the musician, balancing both is difficult.
“It is hard to hold onto both. You can trend well, and corporates notice you, then you get good jobs. For me, I choose to trend in a way that can bring me corporate opportunities.”
His remarks suggest that he values sustainable income streams over short-lived online attention, noting that corporate bookings and brand partnerships can offer artists more financial stability than viral moments alone.
Says early Arbantone energy has faded
During the same interview,Tipsy Geewas asked why many artists who helped popularise Arbantone no longer appear to have the same drive they showed when the genre first exploded.
He responded by linking it to financial comfort.
“People are full. People made money and settled down. I’m trying to bring them back, but we’ll see how it goes. People are comfortable, and they are not available.”
Tipsy Gee added that he still feels motivated because he believes hunger pushes people to work harder.
“I’m the one who is still hungry. A hungry person works hard. A full person relaxes.”
His comments come as Arbantone continues to evolve following its rapid rise in Kenya’s music scene. The genre gained mainstream popularity through energetic, street-inspired beats, catchy hooks, and heavy support on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and streaming services, helping introduce a new generation of young artists to wider audiences.
While some of the early breakout acts have slowed their releases or shifted focus to other ventures, newer musicians continue to emerge, keeping the sound alive.
Looking beyond viral moments
Tipsy Gee’s perspective highlights a growing conversation within Kenya’s music industry about the difference between online popularity and building a lasting career.
For the artist, the goal is not simply to trend but to do so in a way that opens doors beyond social media.
“I choose to trend in a way that can bring me corporate opportunities.”
