Veteran Kenyan singer Kenzo Matata, best known for his classic hit Mama Milka, has called on popular dance and music group Matata to stop using the moniker, pointing out that he established the name in the Kenyan music landscape long before the group emerged.
The singer made his feelings known in the comments section of a post featuring the group, leaving a short but very direct message.
"@matataofficial Nyinyi kwanza muache kutumia jina yangu,” Kenzo wrote, accompanied by a grimacing emoji.
Speaking on the matter, the former Ogopa Deejays signee stated that the brand overlap creates confusion in the industry, especially as both acts operate within the same entertainment ecosystem.
The Rise of Matata
The five-member group—comprising Marcus, Wuod Baba, Freddy, Booker, and Kotty—formed in Norway and took the Kenyan music scene by storm with high-energy choreography and hit tracks like Rengering, Chini Chini, and Mapema.
While the group has established a distinct style rooted in modern dance-pop and Gengetone, Kenzo insists that borrowing an active artist's brand name sets a bad precedent regarding intellectual property and identity in the local music industry.
Kenzo’s comment gets people talking
Kenzo did not give a lengthy explanation in the comment, but his message was enough to get social media users talking.
The singer appears to be making it clear that he does not want his identity confused with that of the group.
And with the screenshot already making rounds online, the conversation could easily move from a simple social media exchange to a debate about originality and branding in the Kenyan entertainment industry.
What's Next?
The group Matata has yet to issue an official public response to Kenzo's demand. The dispute raises broader questions about trademarking stage names and brand registration within Kenya’s evolving creative economy.
