The Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) had restricted the playing of ‘Tetema’, and ‘Wamlambez’ hits outside clubs and bars in Kenya. But now it seems the national corporation has changed its tune following online backlash.
According to a report on Mdundo, KFCB took to Twitter under the leadership of Ezekiel Mutua, noted that the two songs had explicit content which was not suitable for minors. Mutua, noted that the songs have not been completely banned, but should only be played in adult clubs and bars.
The Board has not banned Tetema and Wamlambez songs but has restricted them to clubs where children are likely not to access. @EzekielMutua @CofekRebranded @NellyMuluka @K24Tv @citizentvkenya @KBCChannel1 @EbruTVKenya pic.twitter.com/zI1iTPhIm7
— KFCB (@InfoKfcb) August 28, 2019
“Tetema and Wamlambez songs are strictly forbidden outside of clubs and bars. The lyrics are dirty and not suitable for public consumption, especially mixed company or where children are likely to be watching or listening. Both songs are pure pornography,” KFCB tweeted.
“It’s important for the public to know that they are dirty and unsuitable for mixed company. Let them be restricted to clubs, strictly for adults!” the Board added.
While we may not ban Tetema and Wamlambez because they are coded, it's important for the public to know that they are dirty and unsuitable for mixed company. Let them be restricted to clubs, strictly for adults. @EzekielMutua @CofekRebranded @NellyMuluka @dailynation pic.twitter.com/HZB97Affho
— KFCB (@InfoKfcb) August 29, 2019
The Kenya Film Classification Board is a State Corporation established under the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya. Its most integral values include professionalism, accountability, innovation, integrity, and teamwork. However, the board and its leadership under Ezekiel Mutua has garnered the reputation of policing the creative industry with overly restrictive policies that some believe suffocate the local entertainment and arts industry. However, in light of the backlash, the KFCB team were keen to communicate that their mandate was to safeguard national values and norms through content regulation.
Our Mission is to safeguard National values and norms through efficient, effective film and broadcast content regulatory services. @EzekielMutua @CofekRebranded @NellyMuluka pic.twitter.com/2VcDdVWK36
— KFCB (@InfoKfcb) August 28, 2019
Bongo track ‘Tetema’, is a song by Rayvanny and Diamond. Originally released in March 2019, and gaining 27 million views to date. The track was later remixed, with the Wasafi WCB crew releasing a duo of refixes. According to a prior report on The Sauce, Patoranking, as well as Zlatan Ibile, an Abuja-based act joined the winning duo of Rayvanny and Diamond Platnumz on the new release ‘Tetema’, the second refix of the trending track to be released in August. The track is set to be a Boomplay exclusive, a first for Rayvanny and the Wasafi team.
According to recent reports, The Tanzanian music regulatory body BASATA responded to Mr. Mutua’s previous directive saying that the song had no pornographic content and therefore did not deserve to be ‘banned’.
BASATA’s boss Godfrey Mngereza said the body always vets all the songs in the country as per the law before they are released and as such Tetema is good for public consumption.
“Tumekuwa tukifuatilia nyimbo za wasanii hapa nchini na kuwaita wanapokosea. Tunatoa onyo na hata kufungia nyimbo zao lakini huu Tetema hauna shida. Ndio maana nasema sijui wametumia vigezo gani kuuzuia usichezwe mchana,” Mngereza said.
‘Wamlambez’ by Sailors are among the most-watched and listened to songs in Kenya at the moment. The track by Miracle Boy, Shalkido, Masilver, Lexxy Yung and Qoqosjuma has garnered 3.9Mviews on YouTube as well as receiving a lot of support via radio stations.
This article was first published on Mdundo.