Rapper Sosuun has criticized the growing trend of branding female millennial musicians as “old,” saying the description undermines artists who remain active and relevant in the entertainment industry.
The artist, known for her outspoken stance on social issues, said the label is often used as a weapon against women in music, despite their continued contributions to the industry. She emphasized that music is not bound by age and that longevity should be seen as an achievement.
She noted that the industry needs to stop throwing around the word old like it’s an insult. Music is timeless and artists don’t suddenly lose their creativity or influence because they grew older.“Stop telling female artists that they are old. That’s not nice, that’s not nice at all,” Sosuun stated.
While male millennial musicians such as Nyashinski, Nameless and Khaligraph Jones are frequently celebrated for their longevity, their female counterparts are often described as past their prime.
Artists including Avril, Sanaipei Tande, Amani and Size 8 have, at different stages of their careers, been subjected to age-related scrutiny despite maintaining strong fan bases and releasing new material. Critics note that the disparity reflects a persistent gender bias in the entertainment sector.
Sosuun warned that dismissing female millennial artists as “old” discourages younger women from pursuing sustainable careers in music. She argued that such stereotypes suggest a limited career span for women, even when their talent and creativity remain strong.
“Stop demoralizing Kenyan female artists by telling them they are too old to release music,” she said.
Her comments come at after singer Avril,Kendi and Fathermoh released a remix to Confirm, initially done by Kendi and Fathermoh.In the comments section a number of people came out to call Avril and Kendi old, sentiments that didn’t sit well with Sosuun,
Sosuun insisted that both established and emerging artists can coexist, adding that industry stakeholders should recognize the value of intergenerational collaboration.
“The word old should not be an insult. If anything, it should be a badge of honor that you’ve lasted, grown and are still here creating,” she said.