Dela: Lazy? Not me, Bebe Cool
Afro-pop singer Dela Maranga’s Swahili cover to Adele’s mega hit "Hello" has become an unexpected international hit. PHOTO| COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Dela, whose Kiswahili “Hello” cover gained her international recognition, also has a number of hits like “Nimecatch Mafeelings”, “Adabu” featuring Hart The Band and “Nakuahidi” featuring Gilad.
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Ugandan musician Bebe Cool sensationally claimed that Kenyan musicians are lazy in an interview recently.
He was asked to mention top three Kenyan artists and this was his response:
“To tell the truth there is Sauti Sol. I would definitely tell you I don’t think I can rate anybody else. Apart from the old legendary it’s only Sauti Sol that has made sure they have made a name in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Africa.”
Bebe Cool went on to give example of how lazy Kenyan musicians are, mentioning Dela with whom he collaborated with in a mash up song that also features Tanzania’s Rayvanny and American rnb sensation Jason Derulo who was in the country last month for the Coke Studio Season 5.
“I just met Dela recently and I haven’t even listened to her music (before). So that means Kenyan artistes are a little bit lazy. I usually say that and I’m never shy about it. Because I haven’t heard of Dela before Coke Studio, if Dela has management she has to think twice and move (market themselves internationally). Because that is how I will know you. I won’t know when you are there, however good your music is. Success also comes with business and marketing.”
Nation.co.ke sought Dela’s response on the matter:
“Bebe is a nice guy and we have actually been talking of a collaboration since the time we met and did a song together with Jason Derulo and Rayvanny for the Coke Studio. However if at all that’s what he said, I would say it’s relative and just an opinion,” she said.
But are Kenyans musicians lazy? We pressed on.
“I am not concerned with such issues to be honest, because everyone knows Dela is one of the most hardworking artiste in Kenya releasing single after single. I have done media tours in Uganda and Tanzania as well. Currently, I am preparing my albums and I have featured a few Ugandan musicians. And we are not lazy. However, I wouldn’t want to drop a disparaging remark, but anyway how many Ugandan artiste get played here? Yet they are big in their own way back in Uganda,” she added.
Dela, whose Swahili cover to Adele’s mega hit "Hello" gained her international recognition, also has a number of hits like “Nimecatch Mafeelings”, “Adabu” featuring Hart The Band and “Nakuahidi” featuring Gilad.
