Gospel music hitmaker Papa Dennis is not a happy man! The singer, who is fresh from releasing a controversial song with Nigeria’s Flavour, has expressed his disappointment with the current state of Kenya’s gospel music industry.
Papa Dennis claims that there are cartels in the industry that are intent on frustrating gospel artists by refusing to play their songs. He says that he is a victim of the cartels because his song with Flavour – Mayaya – has not been getting airplay on gospel shows.
“I am reliably informed that the cartels in the name of gospel DJs can’t play my new song by making a flimsy excuse that I have collaborated with a secular artist,” said Papa Dennis.
He noted that it is ironical that the same cartels play secular artists like Yemi Alade, Sauti Sol, Nyashinski, and Konshens in their shows.
“Why is it that they have been launching and instantly playing my local done videos but whenever I go out of the country to shoot a video with international Video Directors like, Foundation in the UK , Injili in South Africa, Bless Me South Africa, Wonder South Africa, and Dubai, after releasing them they normally start playing them after three weeks to one and half months, aiming to kill the song from the market,” Papa Dennis quipped in a statement released on Tuesday.
He added: “I want to send a strong warning to all cartels in the gospel industry.. you have been frustrating gospel artists until they feel like decamping to secular world, the likes of DnG who went back to secular music, but Papa Dennis is here to stay, mark my words… because gospel belongs to God and no one can cartel it, be warned and advised, you will soon vanish and disappear in thin air than you expected it, leaving me evangelising the good news.”
Read his full statement below.
“To all media fraternity and my loyal fans. I take this opportunity to pass this message to the public, am really disappointed with what is happening in gospel music industry. My fans have been in boxing me asking why gospel shows are not playing my new jam “Mayaya” while it is being played in the same media houses in non-gospel shows.
After inquiring about the issue, I am reliably informed that the cartels in the name of gospel DJs can’t play my new song by making a flimsy excuse that I have collaborated with a secular artist…. But it’s ironical because the same cartels are playing secular artists like Yemi Alade, Sauti Sol, Nyashinski and Konshens in their shows…and to make it worse they have been playing Chidima’s gospel songs but refuse to play Papadennis ft Chidima!!
Why is it that they have been launching and instantly playing my local done videos but whenever I go out of the country to shoot a video with international Video Directors like, Foundation in the UK , Injili in South Africa, Bless Me South Africa, Wonder South Africa, and Dubai, after releasing them they normally start playing them after three weeks to one and half months, aiming to kill the song from the market.
I want to send a strong warning to all cartels in the gospel industry, you have been frustrating gospel artists until they feel like decamping to secular world, the likes of DnG who went back to secular music, but Papa Dennis is here to stay, mark my words… because gospel belongs to God and no one can cartel it, be warned and advised, you will soon vanish and disappear into thin air than you expected it, leaving me evangelising the good news.
I don’t want to put all DJs and gospel show hosts into one basket, for those who have been supporting the ministry, I salute you and may Lord grant you strength to continue pushing gospel music. And for the artists who have suffered under the bondage of this yoke “cartel thing” we are nearing the end of the tunnel, light is seen, freedom is coming tomorrow.”
