Chris Kirwa’s insightful take on artistes demanding pay before interviews

Media personality and Events guru Chris Kirwa has weighed in after arbantone artiste Stoopid Boy declined to be interviewed by Dr Ofweneke unless he is paid.

In a statement shared on his socials, Kirwa said that artistes should always make their demands known before agreeing to any form of interview.

“If you feel you can’t appear for an interview without pay, don’t commit to turn up unless you are paid. Let your manager put everything on the table and sign. Your brand deserves what you wish, your host (media house) deserves the same,” he said in part.

The former TV host went on to advice musicians to make good use of social media when it comes to elevating their craft.

“Alternatively, grow your influence on social media platforms to the level; one post and you can sell out a show,” Chris Kirwa said.

Kirwa’s take comes at a time when Dr Ofweneke is having a back-and-forth artiste Stoopid Boy who declined to appear on his TV show without pay.

According to Dr Ofweneke, Stoopid Boy had agreed to the interview only for him to cancel him last minute

He further stated that Kenyan musicians only present themselves for interviews when they want to gain popularity and drive traffic to their platforms.

“What you guys don’t know is he agreed to the interview in the beginning, he asked for transport which was ready to and fro for him, no-host pays artistes for interviews, it wasn’t a performance,” Dr Ofweneke explained.

“It was an interview, so when called on how far he is he said he has to be paid, last minute, and that he doesn’t need us we need him and he has 2 million views so tutoke kwa simu yake tukimaliza.....and he was drunk....to be honest guys, to be honest,”.

At the same time, social media commentator and Politician Cassypool joined the conversation saying it’s important for artistes to be paid before they go for media interviews.

Cassypool adds that people should be paid for being interviewed since they also have their own needs that they have to meet rather than doing unpaid business.

“Stoopid Boy anaambiwa aende studio na hana fare, akiitisha fare ameomba pesa? huyu ni kijana ametoa ngoma amejikaza, amejaribu amefanya Arbantone iende mbele ,mtumie fare.” Cassypool said.  

Cassypool also alleges that mainstream media has killed the dreams of a lot of upcoming artists and therefore artists should be respected as they try to build their brand and market themselves.