Abbas Kubaff urges shift from alcohol and ‘mbogi’ content in music

Veteran rapper Abbas Kubaff has called on artistes to rethink the kind of content they put out, urging a shift away from repetitive themes centred on alcohol and “mbogi” culture.

Speaking on the state of the industry, during an interview with Obinna on Monday night, April 27, 2026 Abbas challenged the long-standing belief that Kenyan music cannot break into international markets, insisting that the issue is not language but creativity and storytelling.

The chapaa hitmaker dismissed claims that Kenyan artistes cannot go global, pointing to international hits like Despacito as proof that language is not a barrier. He argued that audiences worldwide connect more with sound and presentation than lyrics alone.

According to him, Swahili already has global recognition, citing phrases like “Hakuna Matata” as examples of Kenyan culture reaching international audiences. What matters, he said, is how the music is packaged and presented.

“Swahili is an international language, but it’s how it’s depicted out there,”he noted.

Repetitive music themes

The rapper took issue with what he described as a growing pattern in Kenyan music, where many artistes focus on similar themes.

He pointed out that songs often revolve around alcohol, group culture, and lifestyle bragging, with little variation in storytelling or artistic direction. In his view, this repetition limits the industry’s growth and global appeal.

“Saa hii wanabonga tu story za tei but haubongi story za community haufanyi kitu zingine diffrent ama artistic na video saa hii stori imekua the same niko na mbogi,” the rapper added.

Abbas argued that artists who try to explore deeper or more community-driven narratives are often overlooked, while mainstream content continues to dominate.

Call for deeper storytelling

Abbas urged musicians to shift towards more meaningful and diverse storytelling.

“Let’s talk about things… Kenya is a place, Kenya is a pothole, Mount Kenya is different,” he said, encouraging artists to draw inspiration from real-life experiences and environments.

For him, music should go beyond entertainment and become a form of expression that captures identity and perspective.
The veteran rapper emphasised that Kenyan artists already have the raw material needed to succeed globally, but must use it creatively.

He called for more artistic videos, diverse subject matter, and originality in both sound and message, noting that the industry has “gold” that remains largely untapped.

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