As the Kenyan music industry evolves, it’s becoming increasingly clear that staying relevant and maintaining a steady presence is no easy feat.
Some musicians, despite their once-prominent success, have found it hard to keep up with changing trends or avoid the controversies that sometimes overshadow their music.
As we approach 2025, it may be time for certain artists to consider permanently retiring from the music scene.
Among these are Stevo Simple Boy, Bahati, Willy Paul, Timmy Tdat, and Samidoh.
Here’s why these five musicians might want to hang up their boots for good.
1. Stevo Simple Boy: Stagnation in Style
Stevo Simple Boy initially captured the hearts of many with his unique style, combining simple, relatable lyrics with a distinctive delivery that made him a standout artist in the Kenyan music scene.
However, his musical style has become somewhat stagnant.
While his authenticity and rawness resonated with many fans, Stevo’s music seems to be stuck in a repetitive loop, with his songs largely mirroring his previous hits.
The music industry thrives on evolution, and Stevo has struggled to adapt to changing musical trends, failing to reinvent himself in a way that continues to excite his audience.
As younger artists innovate and experiment with sounds, Stevo’s once-fresh approach is losing relevance.
Unless he can come up with a radical reinvention of his style, it may be time for him to retire and make way for new talent with fresh ideas.
2. Bahati: A Struggle for Identity
Bahati has had a tumultuous relationship with the music industry, starting as a gospel musician before making a controversial and often criticized transition into secular music.
Although his decision to venture into the secular space gave him a new lease on life musically, his identity has become increasingly unclear.
Bahati’s struggle to find a consistent sound and identity has been evident in recent years, with some of his tracks feeling disconnected from the artist he once was.
His music no longer seems to spark the same excitement it once did, and his constant public presence in other fields such as politics and social activism has detracted from his musical output.
While he may still have loyal fans, Bahati risks becoming a relic of a past era.
A permanent retirement would allow him to focus on his political and philanthropic ambitions without the distraction of trying to revive a waning musical career.
3. Willy Paul: Overexposure and Controversial Persona
Willy Paul has made a name for himself with his catchy beats and memorable lyrics, but his reputation has been marred by repeated controversies.
Whether it’s his often provocative lyrics or his public feuds with other artists, Willy Paul has found himself embroiled in scandals that have overshadowed his music.
While his musical prowess is undeniable, the controversies surrounding him have often been seen as a distraction.
From his feuds with artists like Bahati to accusations of inappropriate behavior, Willy Paul’s public persona has created a toxic environment that’s difficult to shake off.
Instead of being known for his music, he’s become more synonymous with drama as seen during the recent Furaha City Music Festival, held at the Nairobi Polo Club on December 7, 2024, where he tried blocking Zuchu from getting on stage.
Willy Paul publicly accused the festival organizers of favouring Tanzanian musicians over their Kenyan counterparts.
Diamond Platmumz, who failed to perform at the event because of Willy Paula’s chaos, addressed his accusations, accusing him of creating unnecessary drama for publicity.
He clarified that no discrimination occurred at the Furaha City music festival and accused Willy Paul of disrupting the event to attract attention.
Given these unending dramas, retiring permanently from music would give Willy Paul a chance to reflect on his legacy and potentially transition to other ventures where his public image could be more controlled.
4. Timmy Tdat: Falling Behind on Trends
Timmy Tdat was once the face of Kenyan Gengetone music, and while he still holds some influence, his presence in the industry has started to fade.
His once-catchy hooks and Gengetone anthems no longer dominate the airwaves, and the music he produces has struggled to keep up with the evolving tastes of Kenyan music fans.
As newer and fresher Gengetone artists emerge, Timmy Tdat’s style feels more like a relic of the past.
His failure to adapt to the rise of new musical trends, such as Amapiano and Afrobeat, has left him playing catch-up, and his attempts to switch to other genres have largely fallen flat.
Given that the Gengetone wave has slowed down, and Timmy’s attempts at reinventing himself have not met with much success, it may be best for him to retire permanently and leave the space for younger talent with more innovative approaches.
5. Samidoh: Personal Drama Overshadowing Music
Samidoh has gained a loyal following with his rich vocals and storytelling, bringing the traditional Kikuyu genre to mainstream audiences.
However, Samidoh’s personal life has often overshadowed his music career, particularly his ongoing drama with two women, Karen Nyamu and Edday Nderitu.
Samidoh’s off-stage drama, especially the love triangle involving his wife Edday and his baby mama Karen, has been highly publicized.
The drama reached a peak in 2023 when Karen Nyamu made headlines for interrupting Samidoh’s performance at a show and publicly claiming him as her partner, leading to widespread media coverage.
This saga has continued to unravel with various public spats, affecting both his reputation and music career as one of the most popular Mugithi artists.
Rather than being remembered for his musical talent, Samidoh’s legacy is in danger of being defined by his personal controversies.
The constant media attention surrounding his relationships has detracted from the positive aspects of his career and left many fans disillusioned.
If Samidoh is serious about his future in the music industry, it may be time for him to retire permanently and focus on his personal life, potentially finding a quieter path away from the public eye.
By doing so, he could salvage whatever is left of his career and leave behind a more dignified legacy.
While Stevo Simple Boy, Bahati, Willy Paul, Timmy Tdat, and Samidoh have all made significant contributions to the Kenyan music scene, it’s becoming clear that their time in the limelight may be coming to an end.
Whether due to stagnation, personal controversies, or an inability to adapt to shifting musical trends, these artists are no longer able to captivate audiences as they once did.
Stepping away from music permanently would allow them to explore other ventures and focus on personal growth, ensuring they leave behind a legacy that is not marred by irrelevance or scandal.
Retiring in 2025 might be their best option, as they make room for the next generation of Kenyan musical talent.
