Details have emerged as to why the Azimio One Kenya Alliance opted for Tanzanian Bongo star Diamond Platnumz during their last political rally in Kasarani stadium.
Sonko News has since learnt from inside sources that Azimio presidential secretariat were demoralized by Sautisol after they played one of their songs during the naming of Martha Karua at the Kenyatta International Conference center (KICC).
“Sautisol almost swallowed Kenya as they threatened to sue Raila Odinga if he did not pay them billions of money simply because of one song.” Said the source.
Consequently, the source confessed that they did not want a repetition of the same where a local artist like Sautisol would engage in a smear campaign just because his song was played for two minutes. Hence, he disclosed that it was better to pay an artist like Diamond who would not bring troubles later.
While complaining about his song being played, Sautisol made it clear that their song ought not to be played in such political rallies since it would make them be wrongly associated with the Azimio. This was the full complain by Sautisol after their song was played by Azimio:
“The Azimio la Umoja campaign through its flagbearer and presidential candidate, the Right Hon. Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) have without license nor authority used one of our more popular original compositions, “Extravaganza,” as a soundtrack to the announcement.”
“We did not license this song to the Azimio La Umoja campaign neither did we give any consent for its use in the announcement of their Vice-Presidential candidate. This action is a flagrant disregard of our basic and fundamental rights to property and freedom of association. Through their action they have taken away the right to own and control what is originally and solely our property,”
“We are not aligned to nor associated with the Azimio La Umoja Campaign or any other Political Movement and/or Party, their Presidential aspirants, Vice Presidential aspirants and candidates at large. We are fully apolitical,” read the statement, adding that: “We shall be seeking legal remedy for this clear violation of our copyright.” Read the full statement by Sautisol.
In the meantime, the Azimio team sought the services of other friendly local musicians at Kasarani such as Aqueeno Chogo, Femi One, Milka Otieno amongst others. These artists performed before Diamond could get to the stage.
On their side, this is what Kenyans had to say after Azimio decided to hire the services of Diamond:
“But if any Kenyan Artist would have performed in Kasarani , the Kenya KwanZa supporters would have unsubscribed from following them and even stoped listening or buying their music. As Kenyans we are highly polarized. Also remember how Sauti Sol supported by Kenya Kwanza went bonkers when Azimio played their song.”
“Raila used Sauti Sol’s song and he received backlash from Kenyan Artistes even after paying MCSK its fee. Why should he continue working with those who were calling for his head at one point? You are your own enemies in the entertainment industry unfortunately.”
“During manifesto launch, Azimio just played one Sauti Sol song and they went bonkers. They even wrote a letter to ICC and another one to Queen Elizabeth blaming Azimio for playing their song in a political event without their consent. Remember Raila had earlier complied with the copyrights law by paying for the use of any music in his political events. Interestingly, no Kenyan musician defended Raila that time except Ezekiel Mutua,”
“Most Kenyan artistes are like “I can’t perform in a political event because I have a brand to protect!”. Let’s learn to be aggressive, nothing will get you in your comfort zone simply because you’re a “Kenyan artist”.
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