Elvis Mwangi Wanjohi, 27, popularly known as Mc Zaku has taken a role of criticising Kikuyu entertainment and the impact has been outstanding.
Zaku has become a force to reckon with as he exposes dirty games in Mugithi and Kikuyu gospel songs. He has subdued once ‘untouchable’ artists exploiting aging musicians.
But his hard-hitting approach has earned him a legal suit at Milimani Law Courts. A Businesswoman angered by his criticism has sued him.
At a period when he worked for musicians Kuruga wa Wanjiku and Mzima Mzima, he noticed the entertainment scene was taking a wrong path. “I vowed to one day right the wrongs in the industry,” he told The Nairobian.
It is, however, his confronting the trend of remaking songs without the original owners’ knowledge that unsettled the artists. Dozens of such songs have become hits.
He started with Samidoh then followed with Kuruga, his former boss. “I pointed out some issues in their work and life but I faced torrents of insults from their fans,” he said.
Among other things, he made it clear he was out to rescue veteran musicians suffering while newcomers minted millions from their work.
Besides cover versions done on their works, their songs produced decades ago have been uploaded on YouTube, garnering millions of views but no coin landing into their pockets.
“When I contacted them, I was shocked they didn’t know about YouTube revenue while other songwriters were paid peanuts for songs that continue earning good money to current musicians,” he revealed.
Disclosing that some popular songs were not the work of the purported owners rattled many.
He was called names but he eventually tamed the entertainment stars and they started respecting copyright laws.
For instance, when it was revealed that Karanja David, creator of popular songs, was living like a pauper in Nakuru, Zaku searched for his songs online. He bumped into seven YouTube accounts with Karanja’s songs.
One popular song had been covered by a known artist. It had accumulated over three million views besides being performed at a national event. He confronted them and the artist deleted it and the other six followed suit.
Karanja is back in the limelight earning from work he created over three decades ago.
Then came the case of Maina Ka Ngoma, another talented composer, drummist and guitarist who had become homeless in Mombasa.
A female singer had taken his song without his permission. After twists and turns that even roped in then CS Moses Kuria, Ka Ngoma won.
“He is now in a position to rekindle his talent” Zaku said.
At the moment he has uncovered about 30 songs stolen from original works.
While many have addressed these issues quietly with bona fide owners, some have waged war on him. In one instance, at an entertainment spot in Githurai, a female singer he exposed for stealing somebody else’s work confronted him.
She refused to perform in his presence but ate humble pie after revellers stood with him.
Zaku, who has also blasted some vernacular radio shows, now aims to expand his criticism beyond entertainment.
“I want to unravel muck in our political, religious and business realms. There is a lot of filth that is covered up” he said.
