Kenyan musician Kevin Bahati has addressed the public following criticism over his recent post mourning singer Shalkido ga Cucu. The controversy erupted after Bahati shared private chats showing Shalkido reaching out for a possible collaboration, either with Bahati or his wife Diana, before his death.
The leaked chats sparked accusations of clout-chasing, as they did not reveal whether Bahati had responded to Shalkido. Fans and fellow musicians criticised him for sharing the conversations at a sensitive time.
Bahati defended his actions on social media, saying the backlash was largely misplaced. He explained that the anger was not about the chats themselves, but a continuation of criticism over his controversial song, Seti. He clarified that the shared conversation was between Shalkido and his manager, not directly with him.
“Kenyans are taking anger over Seti and copy pasting it to everything that I do. Now a simple chat between Shalkido and my manager has brought a lot of issues,” Bahati stated. He added that sharing the screenshot was meant to show that a collaboration was being planned, not to expose private messages or claim personal involvement.
Bahati also apologised to fans, acknowledging that some were upset with Seti and that he had considered taking the song down, though many continued to enjoy it.
He addressed fellow artists and content creators who criticised him, suggesting their attacks were aimed at gaining publicity. Bahati encouraged them to focus on building their own brands instead of seeking clout through criticism. “Let the fans address me. You should be in my DMs asking how to keep trending and grow your brand. Attacking me is pointless,” he said, noting that he did not even know some of the critics personally.
The post has reignited discussions online, with netizens expressing mixed reactions. Some condemned Bahati for his actions, while others acknowledged his explanation and apology.
Bahati’s clarification highlights the tension between public mourning and personal boundaries in the music industry, showing the challenges artists face when navigating fan expectations and media scrutiny.
