Femi One reacts to Otile Brown saying he was fighting demons in 2025
Kenyan Rapper Femi One has sparked conversation online after speaking about how artists handle periods when their music is not dominating conversations on social media.
In a statement she wrote on her X post on Saturday, June 14, 2026, the musician shared her thoughts after Otile Brown recently opened up about his struggles in 2025, a year he described as one of the most difficult periods of his career despite remaining one of the country’s most streamed artists.
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However, Femi One believes that ups and downs are a natural part of every musician’s journey and should not always be linked to personal battles.
Her take on trending songs
Speaking on the matter, Femi One argued that artists sometimes associate career slowdowns with personal struggles when the reality may simply be that they do not have a song currently capturing widespread attention.
“When artists don’t have a trending song, they say they were fighting demons,” she wrote.
The rapper added that fluctuations in popularity are part of the music business and should not be viewed as unusual. She explained that success in the entertainment industry comes in cycles.
“It’s part of the process, guys. Kuna kupanda na kushuka,” she stated.
Looking beyond hit songs
Femi One went on to encourage artists to focus on other aspects of building their careers instead of relying solely on chart success. According to her, a strong brand is made up of many elements beyond producing viral music.
“There is so much more that makes a brand other than making a trendy song; maybe start focusing on those other aspects,” Femi stated.
She suggested that musicians can remain relevant through their lifestyle content, community initiatives, personal stories, and other activities that keep them connected to their audience.
Responding to criticism
Her remarks attracted mixed reactions online, with some social media users interpreting them as criticism of artists who openly discuss their struggles.
One fan argued that society often discourages men from speaking about difficult experiences. In response, Femi One clarified that her comments were not directed at any gender and reflected conversations she has also had about her own career.
“It’s not a gender war!! It’s something I have struggled with too, and we speak on this with my manager over and over. We are in the era of social media, you can be visible and remain relevant,” she tweeted.
She later questioned why some people had turned the discussion into a debate about gender while ignoring issues that affect women.
“Of course, y’all had to make it a gender !! Mnakuanga wapi when women are being killed, raped, and when I am being body shamed!” she wrote.
Femi One’s comments came after Otile Brown revealed that he went through a difficult period in 2025 despite enjoying strong streaming numbers. In a recent interview, the singer said he felt “lost” and was “fighting demons”, adding that there were moments when he even considered quitting music before eventually overcoming the challenges.
His remarks sparked discussion among fans and fellow artists, with Femi One offering her perspective on how musicians can navigate career highs and lows while remaining relevant to their audiences.
