Activist Kasmuel McOure has come out strongly against an online campaign to cancel hip-hop group Wadagliz after their performance at the Mashujaa Day celebrations held in Kwale on Sunday, September 20, 2024.
In a passionate self-recorded video posted on social media, Kasmuel criticized those leading the campaign, accusing them of hypocrisy and autocratic tendencies for targeting the group, known for their hit song ‘Anguka Nayo’ merely because they performed at a government function.
“You are shamelessly running a campaign to cancel Wadagliz on your page, right? Because they performed at Mashujaa Day – at a State function,” Kasmuel said, directly calling out the individuals spearheading the boycott.
His frustration was evident as he defended the artistes’ right to perform, regardless of the event’s political connotations.
He further pointed out the irony in the boycott campaign, highlighting that those trying to cancel Wadagliz shared similarities with the very leaders they claim to oppose.
“There is no difference between you and that dictator which you are trying to oust,” Kasmuel declared, emphasizing that the group had worked hard on their music long before the political protests began, and that ‘Anguka Nayo’ was not created for the protests but existed well before the streets became politically charged.
“You don’t support these guys because you were not singing that song until the protest came but the young men were in studio working hard,” Kasmuel noted.
He further stressed that attempts to cancel Wadagliz would not succeed, predicting that if the group continued working diligently at their craft, they would eventually dominate the airwaves.
The activist also criticized those leading the boycott for their lack of genuine support for the group, asking, “You don’t stream their music, you don’t support them… When was the last time you proposed them for a corporate gig? For any Mashujaa Day celebrations that you planned, did you invite them?”
Kasmuel expressed disbelief that the same people trying to cancel the group for performing at a state function were benefiting from similar government associations themselves.
He pointed out that most musicians rehearse at the Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC), a government commission that promotes music and dance, adding that 99% of popular artists use this space.
“What is the difference between them performing at a State function and your grandmother who supplies beans to a government school?” Kasmuel asked, extending his critique to those in government-related positions.
He added, “What is the difference between you who were in the streets protesting to get internships at Public Service Commission? What is the difference between that and the JSS teachers who work for the government?”
Kasmuel made it clear that the President does not personally procure music for state functions, explaining that the PPMC handles such matters.
“Music for any State function is organized by the PPMC. And all your favourite artistes, any hit maker, most of them I could say 99 per cent of them, rehearse at the PPMC. It’s a free space, it’s a great space for dancers and music,” he explained.
Kasmuel’s impassioned defence of Wadagliz was a resounding rejection of the boycott campaign, framing it as misguided and hypocritical.
He reiterated that artists should not be penalized for performing at government events, especially given the widespread use of government resources by citizens from all walks of life.
“Let me tell you, you cannot cancel these guys. If those young men keep steadily at their craft and hit the studio, they gonna dominate the airwaves,” he said while speaking in the self-recorded video.
His remarks have since sparked conversations online, with many echoing Kasmuel’s sentiment that artistes should be allowed to perform freely without fear of political backlash.