It was a matter of time! The untold undertones, squabbles and power play at Ogopa Deejays’ Nairobi studio, the home of Kapuka, was soon to manifest.
How would you explain East Africa’s music powerhouse, the most reputed recording stable for its professionalism, losing its longest-serving and main producer as well as its artistes’ and talent manager only months after shipping in the biggest sound equipment in the region?
There is more than meets the eye as many try to demystify the introduction of Goop’s mega investment, the Main Switch Systems label got the stable smoking with the seemingly chocked 27-year-old Roberta Kithimba and Philo deserting in a huff.
Their departure left shockwaves in their wake; it was one of the most unanticipated moves in the industry.
This happens at a time when emerging stables are already threatening its number one slot and with the music industry growing to new levels, what was the genesis of problem?
It seems that the rain started beating them mid last year when its Namibian sister company Ogopa Butterfly shut down.
With unparalleled dominance as the unrivalled recording masters across East Africa, Ogopa Deejays sought to spread its tentacles by going South where they signed top groups among them continental stars Gal Level before creating the Ogopa Butterfly base in Windhoek where popular producer Suleh was posted to grow the business.
The collaborative effort saw Gal Level and other Namibian groups work with Kenyan Ogopa Deejays singers, a thing that helped them enjoy a boom in music success across Africa with most of them going ahead to win Channel O Video music Awards.
However, mid last year, Ogopa Butterfly suffered a major blow after unnamed individuals— some say, people unhappy with Ogopa’s Southern quest— raided the studio and left with key electronics among them computer disks with artistes’ recorded material and other music backup material.
The stable was forced to halt its operations and its key operators were recalled to consolidate efforts in Nairobi.
The Lucas and Francis Bikendo brothers retreated to regain their footing regionally, ostensibly before unleashing their might down South. Then, another sister company Main Switch System was formed late last year, made up of top manager Emmanuel Banda and long-serving producer Philo at the drivers’ seat. The stable hit the road last November with the much-hyped Tetemesha countrywide concert, which featured a big pool of Ogopa Deejays. A showdown was imminent.
However, the concerts didn’t register the expected success and soon differences between Banda, Roberta and Philo seemed to emerge, further exposing the stable’s soft underbelly. Roberta left to join hands with Bernsoft, the creators of The Circle.
A month later, Philo also left Ogopa to start his own stable, said to enjoy Calif’s CEO, Clemo’s, blessings.
“I have never been signed to Ogopa. I have been working with them as a freelance artiste and Philo has been doing all my songs. I am still going to be working with them. We have no differences,” Jaguar told Pulse on Tuesday after announcing that he had moved his new work to the Philo’s new studio.
The move complicated the release of his collabo with Moustapha, an Ogopa single that was due for release this week.
When contacted by Pulse, Philo explained that he was the one who bought the sound equipment, at a cost of Sh7 million and decided to create Main Switch.
“Working Main Switch under Ogopa seemed to bring in conflicts so I thought it was time to move, after serving for five years,” he told Pulse.
Main Switch Entertainment company has Main Switch Studio and Main Switch Sound as its subsidiaries. However, Philo was quick to add that they are still on “talking terms” with Ogopa.
“…in case any artiste suggests crossing over after their signed contract with Ogopa expires, we can always discuss that with Lucas,” he added.
With a repertoire that many would envy and after pioneering of some of the acclaimed continental giants among them Nameless, Amani, Wahu, Tattuu, Mr Lenny The Longombas, Peter Miles, Bebe Cool, Redsan and Chameleone, as well as the late E-Sir and K-rupt could the house of talent be collapsing under the weight of its runaway success?
Is the current signing of Alpha, Kenzo, Silas, Trapee, Marya, Colonel Moustapha, Avril Kenya and Kaka Kamp meant to propel Ogopa past the current doldrums in its quest for African supremacy?
Or, is this their waterloo?
Over to you, Lucas and Francis.
