Are MCs killing the party? The fine line between hype and annoyance

The beats are on point, the music is perfect, and the tempo is spot-on. The DJ for the night is clearly on to something, and the rhythm feels just right when, suddenly, the music cuts.

"Ladies and gentlemen, are you having a good time tonight?" a voice booms over the speakers, followed by an awkward pause as the MC waits for a response that barely comes.

What follows is minutes long monologue about the weather, the MC’s ex-girlfriend who they broke up in 1976 and some dry joke about what Luhya’s eat for breakfast.

By the time the DJ gets back on the decks, half of the partygoers who were dancing and screaming have gone back to their seats and the other half are on their phones.

The energy that took eons to build suddenly evaporates.

This scene plays out in clubs across all major towns every night as overzealous MCs slowly but surely kill the very thing they're meant to enhance, the DJ experience.

“As a DJ, my art form is very different. I don’t have an issue with the new crop of hypemen because everyone is unique in their own way. However, I cringe when an MC starts giving stories on the mic, it works for some but it doesn’t work for me,” says DJ Crème De La Crème.

However, nothing beats hearing a DJ and MC in perfect, telepathic synergy.

“It’s literally impossible to run a major gig or a big event without a DJ who is backed by a hype-man, even internationally. Discipline is what differentiates all entertainers,” says MC Zendiambo.

“In this game, there is no blueprint, but I do strongly believe it takes humor combine with being creative and being able to be ahead of time, learn and research what your clientele want,” he adds.

For Zendiambo, he believes audibility is paramount and there is no shortcut but one should ensure they don’t try to compete with the DJ.

“I love music as original as it was intended. Just to feel the flow, twists, transposes, down poses etc. When interrupted, the interrupter forces a new narrative to the intended structure. But all said and done, I lay on both sides. At home, I like it original, but I don’t mind an extra push to rally the crowd. Nevertheless, they shouldn’t overdo it. Less talk, more music, that’s what we came in for,” says DJ Slim D.

Good MCs hype the crowd when needed, announce the next track and maybe crack a quick joke during a natural break.

While it differs from person to person’s preferences, most often than not, they come out too chatty and annoying.

Sarah, a 28-year-old marketing executive who frequents clubs in Nairobi, describes the experience as "musical torture".

"You know that feeling when you're really into a song, maybe it's your favourite track, and you're singing along, dancing, completely lost in the moment? Then suddenly this voice cuts through everything to ask if we're 'feeling the vibe' or to tell us about some promotion that nobody asked about. It's like having someone constantly interrupt your dreams." 

“I detest them. They chat complete and utter nonsense. They ruin good tunes with their childish 'make some noise' rants and make bad tracks,” says a reddit user.

The problem isn't just frequency but quality. Many of Kenya's club MCs seem to be working from the same tired playbook of generic phrases and recycled jokes.

“The ones who talk too much are those trying to break in quickly to the industry and haven’t understood that it’s not just talking rather an art on itself and requires lots of knowledge especially music wise, not just saying ‘Mikono juu ya hewa’ the entire time," says DJ Hillas.

“MC’s at the highest level have a harder task than us as DJs when it comes to perfection. So much more lyrics to remember, while remaining as perfect as possible. Compare how many words they say in 16 bars, to how many tracks we play as DJs in an hour, leaves far more chances for mistakes,” says DJ Billy Bunter.

“A good MC is the heartbeat that pumps life into the event. You need charisma, rhythm, and the ability to connect with people from the first shout to the last word. Voice control, presence, oomph and a genuine love for entertaining the masses is a formula one could employ,” says MC Amoke.

He ensures that transition ares smooth and stays alert to ensure there’s never a dull moment.

“Chemistry with the DJ is everything. Before the show, I make sure we link up, discuss the vibe, the type of crowd, and even do a run through of the signals we use. I'd lie if I didn't tell you that we also do practice our sets. During the set, it’s all about listening, reading their mixes and feeling their flow. I treat it like a musical dance we both play our parts, but we move as one,” he adds.

Amoke doesn’t refute that once in a while, there is a disconnect between a DJ and an MC.

“It happens a lot when there was no prior link up or practice or is just shouting over the music. But when done right, it’s not an interruption; it’s an elevation. An MC should add flavour, not noise,” he adds.

While most times things go smoothly, there are a couple of times they go downwards and some deejays have reportedly started negotiating "MC-free" clauses into their contracts, while others have simply stopped taking gigs at venues known for microphone-happy MCs.

Some venues are also beginning to implement guidelines for their MCs, including specific time limits on microphone use and rules about when interruptions are appropriate. Others are hiring more experienced MCs who understand the nuances of crowd management and musical flow.

“It’s a nuisance depending with the location, that is why we have venues that don’t allow MCs and totally and there are venues where a hypeman is a must have. These MCs out here are getting booked over and over," Says DJ Hillas.

Kenyans on X, a while back, brought up the conversation and most were not for the idea of too much talk, less music.

“MC's arguably can singe handedly ruin an event. ‘Can I have another rewind?’ No you can't. I know their ego's and constant MCing, like never ever shutting up at all and this put a lot of people off,” said one X user.

The situation has become so problematic that some venue owners are beginning to take notice.

James, who manages two clubs in the Nairobi, admits that customer complaints about overzealous MCs have increased dramatically over the past few years.

"People come to dance, to escape, to feel the music," he says.

"When they tell me they're going to other venues because our MC talks too much, that's a problem. We're in the entertainment business, and if we're not entertaining people, we're failing."

However, he also points out the challenge venue owners face. "Good MCs are rare, and many of the guys who apply for these jobs think being loud equals being good. They don't understand that less can be more, that sometimes the best thing an MC can do is nothing at all."

The impact extends beyond just the immediate club experience. Several DJs report that the constant interruptions have forced them to change their musical approach, choosing shorter mixes and more obvious transitions to accommodate MC interruptions.

This, they argue, is dumbing down the art form and reducing DJs to little more than human jukeboxes.

"Word travels fast in this industry and if your MC is known for killing the vibe, most party goers will give your event a wide berth, but wait until you get an MC whose game is on point, crowds come in droves just for the same,” says events promoter John Mwangi.

The solution, according to industry veterans, lies in treating MCing as the professional skill it should be, rather than the default job for anyone who isn't afraid of a microphone.

This means training, standards and most importantly, understanding that the MC's job is to enhance the DJ's work, not compete with it.

"The best MCs are like the best backing singers," explains DJ King Mellow.

"They add flavour, they provide energy when needed, but they should understand their place in the ecosystem. MCs play a vital role in curating a party setting and removing them from the equation is not a call to action,” she adds.