Kenyan rapper and songwriter Steph Kapela has sparked debate in the local music industry after criticizing DJs for repeatedly playing music from the same handful of artists while overlooking emerging talent.
In a candid video shared online, Kapela argued that many Kenyan DJs have abandoned one of their most important responsibilities—discovering and introducing audiences to new music. Instead, he said, club sets have become predictable, with the same songs dominating playlists night after night.
According to the rapper, the issue goes beyond personal preference. He believes DJs play a significant role in shaping Kenya’s music culture and determining which artists receive mainstream exposure.
“Why is it that DJs try to make us feel like hakuna watu wengine kwa industry mzima? You guys are constantly playing the same music, like there are no other artists.”
Kapela described a typical night out where multiple DJs perform back-to-back but end up playing nearly identical playlists.
He said one DJ may perform for an hour, playing only a handful of Kenyan songs before switching to Nigerian Afrobeats and South African Amapiano hits. When the next DJ takes over, Kapela argued, the pattern barely changes, with the same Kenyan artists receiving airtime while the rest of the industry’s music goes unheard.
He acknowledged that there is nothing wrong with supporting popular artists but questioned why so few musicians make it into regular club rotations.
The rapper pointed to several lesser-known acts he believes deserve more exposure, suggesting that audiences are often unaware of talented artists simply because DJs never introduce their music.
Kapela also rejected the common argument that DJs merely respond to audience demand. Instead, he insisted that DJs actively influence public taste and therefore carry a responsibility to expose listeners to fresh music rather than recycling established hits.
“You guys shape the taste. You shape the taste of Kenyan music. Kenya, wasanii wanapendwa comes directly down to you.”
Kapela argued that DJs should balance crowd favourites with carefully selected new releases instead of relying almost entirely on proven hits.
Rather than abandoning popular records, he said DJs should use their platforms to spotlight promising talent alongside established names.
The rapper also expressed concern that some DJs have become overly dependent on familiar playlists, saying the creative aspect of discovering music appears to be fading.
“When did DJs become so redundant that they cannot discover new music, they cannot introduce the audience to new, good music?… You are the tastemakers.”
According to Kapela, DJs serve as the bridge between musicians and listeners, giving them a unique opportunity to influence which songs become the next national hits.
He urged them to return to what he described as the original spirit of DJ culture—breaking new records, identifying rising talent and creating excitement around unfamiliar music.
