Reuben Kigame Blasts GoK And MCSK For Stealing From Artists

Kenyan Gospel musician Reuben Kigame on Tuesday, March 30, warned government officials and those of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) against speaking at his funeral during his burial for literally stealing from him and other artists.

The multitalented musician said he was struggling to make ends meet, despite the many songs that he had released since 1986.  He disclosed that the frustrations he had gone through under the current crop of leadership were enough.

“I wish to go public about something, and I want it marked well: If you One day hear musician Reuben Kagame is dead, do not allow any government representative or those from the so cold copyright societies to speak at my funeral service. What I have been through under them is enough,” he said through his Twitter handle.

I wish to go public about something and I want it marked well: if you One day hear musician Reuben Kigame is dead, do not allow any government representative or those from the so cold copyright societies to speak at my funeral service.What I have been through under them is enough

— @ReubenKigame (@ReubenKigame) March 30, 2021

According to Reuben, despite releasing albums since 1987 and his songs played countrywide, he says that he only manages to get 17,532 shillings royalties at the end of the month. Kigame has been on the frontline condemning evils like corruption rooted in the country and poor leadership lately.

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He decried that he had released 29 albums with daily airplay in many stations around Kenya but did not have much to show for it. “My songs are played on just about every public event including by police and military bands. Yet at the end of the month, I can only look forward to about ksh18,000 in royalties,” he said

The musician indicated that he was not only speaking for himself but for other artists who were struggling as well.

“If I was not doing it for God I would have quit long ago because even from the church, all you can get is acclamation and encouragement.

“God has been faithful to me because I have eaten, got a home, raised a family, and kept going and serving through his miraculous provisions,” he concluded.

In January 2021, the celebrated musician rebuked poor leadership, saying even death threats will not back-pedal him as it is a profit to a born-again person. vowed to continue using his talent and scholarly ability to speak the truth.

Gospel Singer Reuben Kigame said he hoped the clerics would use their influence to call out vices in the country, but they had all been compromised by political leaders.

Kigame said most of the creatives suffer because of the notion that ‘prominence or media play equals career,’ adding that he would have quit the industry long ago were it not for his faith.