Legendary genge artist Kendi has stated that the present generation of female musicians in the country had it easier than her contemporaries from her time.
Kendi, a pioneer female genge musician, recalls the disdain displayed to female artists of her generation when they first began out.
"Things have changed. Female musicians were considered whores during our time. You couldn't put your tracks on repeat if those in power demanded sexual favors. This was normal at the time, and I still see some of those who approached me for sexual favors conducting performances," Kendi explained.
She stated that refusing to play ball costs her, but she does not regret standing up for her values.
Did you read this?
"I'm glad how I was raised. I didn't have to sleep my way to the top, some of my peers did and indeed their careers took off while mine kind of stagnated before I made it. I think had I given in to their demands I would have probably been much famous than I'm today," she said.
Kendi also mentioned how things have changed for female musicians who want to promote their songs.
"These days I see some of the producers asking for money to have your song on rotation. During our time it was like some sort of unwritten rule, it had to be sexual favours. Some would even ask for mzinga plus sexual favours. It was very difficult for us," she said.
Kendi also mentioned compensation as a barrier that female musicians of her time faced.
.jpg)
"It did not matter how good you were, or how big your music was. We were always never paid as much as our male counterparts were. Even with promotions, our male counterparts are the ones who had their music pushed more," she said.
Kendi praised the late Lady S for paving the way for female artists back then, recalling how the late artiste would confront male colleagues anytime they approached her for sexual favors.
