A recent online clash between an upcoming Kenyan artist and the dance community has sparked important conversations about the value of creative labor. The conflict began when the musician publicly expressed frustration, accusing Kenyan dancers of being biased against local talent and instead favoring international stars like Tanzanian icon Diamond Platnumz.
The artist claimed that dancers had refused to participate in a dance challenge for his new song, allegedly because he could not afford to pay them. In a strongly-worded post, he questioned why the same dancers would enthusiastically jump onto challenges for Diamond Platnumz without asking for compensation.
This sparked a wave of responses from creatives, many of whom felt that the artist’s remarks reflected an entitled mindset. According to them, professional dancers, like other creatives, deserve to be treated with respect, and their work should not be taken for granted.
One of the country’s most recognized choreographers responded by highlighting the core issue: the need to respect people’s time and effort. He argued that the assumption dancers owe support to every local artist—especially those unwilling to build genuine relationships or offer value in return—is both unrealistic and unfair.
He emphasized that dancers, like musicians, treat their craft as a full-time profession. While passion may have started them on their journey, it’s their skills, effort, and consistency that have turned it into a livelihood. As such, every request for a collaboration must consider not just exposure, but the real-world needs of the dancer—time, bills, and creative fulfillment.
He pointed out that the issue is not always about money. Many dancers join challenges when they see value in the collaboration, whether it’s artistic inspiration, networking potential, or strategic exposure. What turns them off, he said, is being approached with expectations but without any offer of mutual benefit.
The message was clear: creativity is work. Just like no one expects a technician, teacher, or businessperson to offer services for free, dancers should not be pressured to perform without clear value. He encouraged upcoming artists to shift their mindset from one of entitlement to one of partnership. Instead of demanding support, they should focus on building relationships and offering something tangible in return—whether that’s payment, promotion, or creative opportunity.
His response struck a chord with many in the industry, who shared similar experiences of being undervalued. Dancers and content creators alike echoed the sentiment that while they are open to working with rising talent, there must be mutual respect and understanding.
The incident serves as a broader reminder to all creatives: collaboration thrives on respect, not pressure. Passion is important, but professionalism is key. When both parties understand and value each other’s contributions, everyone grows.
