Cashmeer Sayidd slams Kenyan DJs for sidelining local music
Businesswoman Cashmeer Sayidd has voiced her frustration with local entertainment spots, accusing clubs and DJs of sidelining Kenyan music in favour of foreign genres like Amapiano from South Africa and Afrobeats from Nigeria.
Speaking in a candid outburst on Instagram on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Cashmeer said she is tired of going to clubs in Nairobi only to hear playlists dominated by foreign hits while Kenyan music is ignored.
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“These clubs in Kenya are frustrating. We go there, and all they play is Amapiano. Others will flood us with Nigerian beats, yet when you go to Nigeria, you will never hear them playing Kenyan songs,” she lamented.
Cashmeer added that the pressure to conform to foreign sounds is harming Kenyan artists who are trying to make their mark in the industry. “There is peer pressure. People are pushing these sounds as if they are the standard, yet we have our own incredible artists,” he explained.
Kenyan hits missing
The musician further questioned the logic behind the trend, pointing out that many Kenyans go out expecting to enjoy music from local stars like Nyashinski, Sauti Sol, Khaligraph Jones, and other homegrown talents.
“Amapiano belongs to South Africa. Amapiano ni za South Africa. Sisi tumekuja kuskia Nyashinski. So why are you not playing that?” she asked.
He also criticised DJs for favouring Nigerian artists even when their presence in clubs is minimal.
“There is only one Nigerian in that club, yet you are playing Nigerian music the whole night. Even Diamond’s songs are better, but you don’t play those either,” he said.
Cashmeer’s remarks echo a long-running debate in Kenya’s music scene, where club playlists often reflect more foreign content than local music. Many industry stakeholders have argued that such practices demoralise Kenyan musicians and slow the growth of the local music industry.
Artists and fans alike have previously called for DJs and entertainment venues to prioritise Kenyan music, arguing that this is the only way to build a strong identity in the global music space. By ignoring local hits, the country risks losing its cultural footing and undermining the hard work of its artists.
