Bahati strikes back with gospel teaser after controversial secular song
By Valerian Khakayi, October 2, 2025Kenya’s multitalented musician Kevin Kioko, popularly known as Bahati, has once again stirred conversations online, this time with a gospel teaser just a day after facing backlash over his controversial release.
In a video shared on his official Instagram account on Thursday, October 2, 2025, Bahati lamented that he had made a comeback after a one-year break, dropping his track Seti, but it has faced backlash.
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He went on to say that the negative energy he has received has made him shy away from promoting the song online.
“I just made a comeback after a one-year musical break, jana nimetoa ngoma yangu ya Seti imeleta mambo mingi, ata naogopa kuipost,” Bahati lamented.
But in a surprising twist, the EMB Records founder announced that he had already returned to the studio and recorded a gospel collaboration with a Tanzanian artist.
However, according to him, the project has hit a roadblock, as the unnamed Tanzanian musician refused to release the song, fearing some of Bahati’s lyrics could land him in trouble.
“Sahi nimeingia studio nimefanya ngoma ya gospel na msanii from Tanzania lakini to my surprise ananiambia kuna vitu nimeimba anafeel itamletea shida so sielewi,” he added.
In addition, he said that he loves gospel music and that whenever he does one, he does it for God.
“Me, I love gospel music when I do one, I do it for God,” he said.
Bahati to Tanzanians
Addressing Tanzanians directly, Bahati called on them to weigh in on the verse he had written, asking them to help him understand what exactly was wrong with his lyrics.
“DEAR TANZANIA 🇹🇿 NIMEIMBA HII NYIMBO NA MSANII WENYU WA GOSPEL AMEKATAA ITOKE NAOMBA MSIKILIZE HII VERSE NILIYOIANDIKA MNIAMBIE TATIZO LIKO WAPI??? ” he questioned.
His bold move to share the gospel teaser comes at a time when fans and critics alike are still debating his artistic direction.
Bahati’s controversial song
The song, whose explicit video and bold lyrics have divided opinion, quickly trended across social media, with fans and critics questioning whether the former gospel star has strayed too far from his roots.
However, despite the backlash, Bahati boldly questioned why his song was receiving hate, yet Kenyans are the same people who said they had missed his music.
“Simlisema Mumemiss Ngoma Zangu??? Kwani Makosa iko Wapi Tena ???” he asked.