Kenyan media personality Andrew Kibe has criticized rapper Stevo Simple Boy over a viral video in which the musician appears dressed and made up as a monkey.
In the clip, Stevo wears a monkey-inspired costume and makeup, moves like the animal and eats a banana. He shared the videos on social media, giving the character the name Dragon The Monkey.
Kibe, however, was unimpressed by the performance, arguing that it portrayed Kenyans negatively and could give people from other countries more reasons to mock them online.
In a video addressing the controversy, Kibe said the stunt was taking Kenya 50 years backwards. He also questioned the decision to present the character as entertainment, arguing that the clip could harm the country's image.
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Kibe recalls past criticism of Stevo.
Kibe also revisited the criticism he faced earlier this year after making controversial remarks about Stevo's ability to become a father.
The media personality had suggested that the rapper should not have children, sparking widespread backlash from Kenyans who considered his comments insensitive.
Stevo responded at the time, asking Kibe to address him directly without dragging his child into their disagreements.
The rapper said his child had done nothing wrong and should not be dragged into adult arguments.
The controversy also prompted comedian Dr Ofweneke to apologize to Stevo and his family after the remarks aired during a podcast appearance.
The episode was subsequently removed from the platform.
The episode was subsequently removed from the platform.
Kibe's latest criticism has brought the two personalities back into the spotlight, with the commentator suggesting that the new video supports his earlier concerns about the musician.
Stevo's video sparks debate.
The video has attracted mixed reactions online, with some social media users treating it as comedy while others have questioned the decision to use a monkey-inspired character.
Kenyan boxer Fidphil Castro also criticized the portrayal, warning against content that could reinforce racist stereotypes about Black people.
In a post shared on Instagram on Thursday, October 8, Castro called on people to stop comparing Black people to monkeys, insisting that racism should not be treated as a joke.
Stevo has previously attracted attention for his unconventional fashion choices, including his dragon-inspired outfits.
His latest transformation has once again placed him at the centre of online conversations about his style of entertainment and how audiences interpret his performances.
