Kenzo Claps Back: ‘Music is Subjective’ After Grammy Nod Criticism

Ugandan singer Kenzo is making headlines again after earning his second career Grammy nomination with the song “Hope & Love,” featuring Mehran Matin.

While many fans have celebrated the achievement, some critics have tried to downplay it, questioning how a song that is not widely popular could land a spot in the Best African Music Performance category.

The debate heated up even more as the song competes against hits such as “Love” by Burna Boy, “With You” by Davido featuring Omah Lay, “Gimme Dat” by Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid, and “PUSH 2 START” by Tyla, all of which have millions of streams.

Many even began to question the criteria the Recording Academy uses to select nominees.

Speaking to BBS, Kenzo clapped back at critics, emphasizing that musical preferences vary from person to person.

He urged them to explore his broad catalog, where they might find songs that suit their liking.

The good thing is that they now know the song. One man’s meat is another man’s poison. Sometimes, some people like blue, others like green, and others prefer black. Liking or disliking something is part of being human… The good thing is that in my catalog, there are songs they might enjoy, so they should focus on those.

Kenzo did not hold back on calling out opportunists in the media who pretend to be critics but are motivated by personal gain.

There are people with ill intentions who hide behind the words ‘critic and media.’ We have people who eat off rumormongering. The problem is that they all operate under the guise of the media, but the media is wide. Some of them are just opportunists who come to abuse you, then go to your enemy and say we worked on him, and afterward ask for money… They survive like that. They do not want to work. They just sit, talk, and after saying whatever they want, they beg for money.

Despite all the noise, Kenzo made it clear that criticism will not derail him.

He said Grammy recognition is bigger than any one opinion and puts Ugandan music on the international map.

Criticism does not derail us from our purpose. We know what we are doing, and the most important thing is that we are succeeding as a country because when they nominate us, we get great talkability as a country… We benefitted as country and we are grateful. So, matter what people say, we are celebrating and this is a very big opportunity for us.

With his second Grammy nod, Kenzo is proving that local critics cannot stop his rise and that Uganda’s music is gaining global recognition.