Kenyan afro-pop group Matata and renowned award-winning artist Bien are facing a major setback after their hit song “Mpishi” was removed from YouTube due to a copyright issue.
The song, which had quickly become a fan favorite, was celebrated for its infectious rhythm, witty lyrics that captured the essence of contemporary Kenyan culture.
Since its release, Mpishi had been trending across platforms and was gaining significant traction among fans locally and in the diaspora.
Before its removal, Mpishi had reached an impressive milestone hitting 1 million views on YouTube in just under two weeks.
The achievement was a testament to the song’s popularity and the strong chemistry between Matata and Bien.
However, fans who went searching for the video on YouTube were met with disappointment when they found it had been removed.
According to reports, the takedown was a result of a copyright dispute, although the exact nature of the issue remains unclear.
It is not yet known whether it involves an unlicensed sample, a publishing conflict, or a content ownership disagreement.
Neither Matata nor Bien has issued a full official statement, but Matata broke their silence with a subtle yet bold Instagram comment, quoting a lyric from the song.
“Hakuna cha reverse tukishakanyaga scene,” Matata commented.
The line, which translates to “There’s no reversing once we’ve stepped on the scene,” was interpreted by fans as a confident response to the controversy, implying that despite the setback, their impact is irreversible.
The news has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with fans expressing frustration and disappointment over the song’s sudden disappearance.
Mpishi had the potential to become one of the biggest anthems of the year, and its removal is a major blow to both the artists and their growing fanbase.
