The rivalry between Gengetone and Arbantone artists has heated up once again after Arbantone stars Gody Tennor and Ybw Smith fired back at Gengetone’s Fathermoh, who recently mocked Arbantone musicians for relying on collaborations.
Fathermoh’s Remarks
The drama started when Fathermoh took to his Instagram stories to throw shade at Arbantone artists following the release of “Kiuno” by Soundkraft featuring Tipsy Gee, Spoiler 4T3, Gody Tennor, and Kantel.
In his post, Fathermoh wrote:
“Watu wa ile genre ingine wameungana tena, wameona enyewe solo hawaezi 😂😂😂.”
Gody Tennor and YBW Responds
Unimpressed by Fathermoh’s shade, Gody Tennor clapped back via Instagram stories. He bragged about his success, claiming that he remains fully booked even without constantly releasing new tracks.
In his post, he wrote:
“Wanisa wanabanja sana na ni doba jamo tu… sasa tukiangusha album tumekua tukipika.”
Fellow Arbantone artist Ybw Smith also joined the conversation, posting a bold response while flaunting bundles of cash.
“Advice mingi bila pesa hio ni moshene.”‘
The statement was a direct jab at Fathermoh, implying that Arbantone’s financial success speaks louder than Gengetone’s criticism.
The Bigger Rivalry
The exchange highlights the intensifying rivalry between Gengetone and Arbantone:
Gengetone artists argue their sound is original, raw, and deeply rooted in Nairobi’s street culture.
Arbantone stars defend their genre as innovative, blending Amapiano rhythms with local street rap to create a fresh, danceable vibe.
While Gengetone stars accuse Arbantone of relying on collabs and trends, Arbantone artists point to their bookings, streaming numbers, and growing fan base as proof of their success.
Fans React
Fans quickly took sides online:
Gengetone supporters praised Fathermoh for speaking his mind.
Arbantone fans clapped back, saying money, bookings, and album plans prove who’s really winning.
“Booked and busy, that’s what matters. Let the music and money talk.”One Arbantone fan commented
Another replied:“Gengetone is only relevant when they’re throwing shade. Arbantone is working.”
The back-and-forth between Fathermoh, Gody Tennor, and Ybw Smith shows how competitive Kenya’s urban music industry has become. With Gody Tennor teasing a new album and Arbantone artists showing no signs of slowing down, the rivalry is far from over.
What’s clear is that both genres — whether Gengetone or Arbantone — continue to keep fans entertained, and the competition only fuels more creativity in the Kenyan music scene.
By Judy mutinda
