Kenya looking forward to Wasafi arrival

News of the new venture was posted on social media by Wasafi president Diamond Platnumz last week. The Tanzanian singer said the launch of the label would be the first step towards establishing a footprint in the Kenyan market, which had a huge potential for growth. This after WCB announced plans to open a branch in Rwanda.

“As we are about to Launch @wcb_wasafi Branch in Kenya, please help me tag all the talented Kenyan artists who would like to be signed under @wcb_wasafi,” the post read.

Music In Africa spoke to Kenyan hip hop artist and designer Fundi Frank about what the development means for him as an artist and entrepreneur in the music business.

“I feel elated because Wasafi is the most established and successful label in East Africa,” he said. “Other East Africa record labels like Ogopa Deejays of Kenya and Leone Island of Uganda tried to have a regional representation of artists but they failed.

“This is a step towards realising our ambition of forming a musical block that can rival the Nigerian music industry in terms of numbers, which leads to more revenue.”

Frank said Kenyan artists under WCB could see success and exposure. “The soon-to-be-launched Wasafi Radio and TV in Tanzania guarantees the artists full airplay,” he said. The signed artistes will have access to high-profile collaborations with continental and international acts including Diamond himself as well as other acts on the label.”

Kenyan author and Ketebul Music boss Tabu Osusa said that for most Kenyan artists signing a record deal was the ultimate dream and a turning point in their careers.

“We do not have people who have invested enough into the sector to make it commercially viable. What we have are people who own studios and think that qualifies them as a record label,” he said, adding that in other countries signing a record deal means getting an investor so the artist can concentrate on writing, rehearsing, recording and performing music.

“In Kenya, there is money to be made but you need a music professional to guide the process to guarantee a return on investment,” Osusa said.

Although there are reactions from the Kenyan music industry regarding the arrival of WCB, Frank said local labels should see this as an opportunity to learn.

“Kenyans who will be employed directly or indirectly will get invaluable expertise of how to run a successful record company, manage artists and produce high-quality multimedia,” Frank said.

Kenyan multi-instrumentalist Makadem, who has worked with international labels such as One World Music Production in Denmark and the UK's On the Corner Records, told Music In Africa that Wasafi would bring a much-needed service to Kenya.

“I am super excited because in Kenya we have artists struggling day in, day out with no proper management to push their music,” he said. “Wasafi Records’ penetration into the industry is long-awaited. Let the production houses that don’t have a clue or have refused to offer proper management learn from Diamond. It’s called for.”

WCB was founded three years ago and has since employed more than 50 recording artists from Tanzania.