Tanzanian rapper Nay Wa Mitego’s “Wapi Huko” has left a lingering bitterness in the mouths of Kenyans who care.
It’s a scathing and unforgiving assault on the very fabric of the Kenyan society. The track’s structure reminds one of Chinua Achebe’s revolutionary writing of his novel, A Man of the People.
Much like Achebe’s novel of an unnamed, deeply corrupt nation (with many readers whispering “Nigeria” in hushed tones), Nay Wa Mitego’s lyrical attack aims at systematic issues affecting Kenya.
“Wapi Huko” by Nay Wa Mitego Exposes Kenya’s Rot
Nay Wa Mitego’s “Wapi Huko” exposes every speck of societal dirt clinging to Kenya’s identity. You should know that the story’s background is there’s been a silent tension between Tanzania and Kenya. Kenya feels a linguistic superiority complex just because they speak English (just how many Kenyans speak fluent English, really?). Tanzanians dismiss Kenya’s remnants of colonial thinking and to be honest, they have the better music industry.
Now let’s demystify this controversial banger. Nay Wa Mitego christens the unnamed country as “Ughaibuni” a Swahili term meaning ‘overseas.’ He takes a swing at the country’s economic state. He he raps, “hio nchi bana uchumi wao ni tafrani muda wa kazi umeme haupatikani.”
With the consistent power blackouts in Kenya, there’s no way Nay is telling tales of a distant land we don’t know.
Nay Wa Mitego’s Take on Kenyan Football
Also, he adds “soka lao limechanganywa na siasa linachokesha.” This reality makes me sick to the stomach. Despite basking in regional ‘superiority,’ Kenyan stadiums are ever empty with sports infrastructure practically nonexistent.
These same dilapidated arenas miraculously fill to the brim only when politicians make a grand entrance. In a nation where everybody has political ambitions, a walk down any Kenyan street might expose people struggling to name five teams in their national premier league.
The corruption and public disinterest have seen Kenya fail to develop a team to represent her on the continental stage. All they do is talk.
Nay Wa Mitego’s “Wapi Huko” also reveals that, for many, accessing sex has become easier than putting food on the table. He spits,“ni rahisi kupata ngono kuliko chakula.” A discouraging revelation, to say the least. Isn’t this news sad? No wonder Nigerians have a field day with Kenyan chics. They want more than sex. They’re now resorting to unthinkable acts, dismembering and discarding Kenyan women’s bodies in trash bags.
Yet, the central point of Nay Wa Mitego’s lament lies in his assertion that female celebrities sell their bodies. He quantifies the number of the culprits at 90%. At 90% it means it’s a sweeping criticism of an entire industry. The wound deepens when he shifts focus to Kenya’s biggest monster: unemployment. He paints a clear picture of a nation grappling with economic woes and a societal fabric that’s in irreparable tatters.
Nay Wa Mitego’s “Wapi Huko” Hook Analysis
In the assessment of the Nay Wa Mitego’s “Wapi Huko,” the hook is the most haunting. The number of single mothers quadrupling each year in Kenya paints a sad picture. This narrative holds weight when compared to Tanzania’s strong belief in the sanctity of marriage. It makes the line, “masingle mother kibao utadhani labda ndio mila zao” hit hard.
The contrast is crystal clear, pointing out that in Kenya, the trend of embracing single motherhood, even among educated women, appears normalized, while our neighbors view it as a departure from tradition.
In another true but sad addition, Nay Wa Mitego contributes his perspective on how the betting epidemic has engulfed the minds of the nation’s youth. It exposes the truth about Nairobi’s life, where societal norms are quickly shifting, and the once-taboo becomes the new normal.
“Wapi Huko” Second Verse is Lethal
The second verse of Nay Wa Mitego’s “Wapi Huko” shines a spotlight on the reversed roles of modern dating. It’s a society where older men court young girls and the younger generation chases after sugar mummies – nothing short of a crooked society.
Yet, in this verse, a tempting thought lingers: Is Nay Wa Mitego aiming his bullets more at Tanzanians than Kenyans? The notion is tempting. A fan named Mwagodi shared his perspective on X: “It’s crazy how Kenyans have completely not understood that Ney wa Mitego is mocking Tanzania’s leadership for mocking Kenya yet Tanzania is the one in the pits. You guys will never appreciate Bongo Flava for what it is, a literacy masterpiece.” The lyrical layers run deep, indicating a meaning beyond the immediate eye.
The indictment doesn’t stop there. Nay Wa Mitego proclaims, “wasanii wote ni chawa wa serikali kasoro mmoja tu naye anapigwa vita vikali kila siku polisi kisa kusemea wanachi.”
He can’t be about Kenya with that line. Kenyan rappers try hard to sound like US and UK grime rappers, even adopting balaclava (which Tanzanian rappers don’t) and none of them has the balls to confront the government outright and in plain words.
In sharp contrast, Tanzania has witnessed the exile of rapper Roma Mkatoliki. Nay Wa Mitego stands as an artist unafraid to tread where others fear to, a brew too strong for the Tanzanian authorities to sip comfortably.
The Trouble With African Leaders
The peak of Nay Wa Mitego’s lyrical onslaught arrives with similar vibes to Ice Cube’s politically charged, “Arrest the President” directed at President Trump. Nay raps, “wananchi wanalalamika na raisi analalamika wote mwizi wanamjua ila wanaogopa kumshika.”
It speaks to African leaders wielding power like criminals and reinforcing the reality that they are the architects of this rotting environment. Nay’s attack then delves into the crumbling foundations of education systems.
His probing question is clear. Why does a country’s entire education system become a sham, unable to guarantee its graduates a decent job?
The bitter truth is education alone proves insufficient. Individual success hinges on elusive connections, turning the pursuit of opportunities into a grand hustle that remains out of reach for many.
The themes Nay explores in this track strike a familiar chord with the Kenyan experience. Speculating that he’s addressing Kenya doesn’t seem far-fetched. Given the ongoing angry heckling directed at President Ruto and his associates, to think otherwise might indicate the lack of firsthand experience on the state of affairs in Kenya.
Rating Nay Wa Mitego’s “Wapi Huko” and Special Thanks
Produced by Touchez Sound, Nay wa Mitego’s “Wapi Huko” injects strength into Tanzanian music. It’s also a wake-up call to Kenyan rappers as to what an artist ought to be; beyond mere entertainment.
Hats off to O-max for putting this track on my radar a mere four hours after it hit the airwaves. His keen ear and rapid response bring out the magnitude of Nay Wa Mitego’s latest track.
RATING: 4.5 Out of 5
