It is ironic that from talking about the plausible exploits of Piksy in my last week’s entry, today I will be taking the opposite lane espousing on the detrimental antics littering teenager Med Cee’s career path.

For starters, let me recognise the music potential that this prodigy possesses. He is a kid who, with good nurturing and discipline, can elevate his art to the highest standards.

Again, let me envy his luck. Med Cee, born Medson Kapeni, has enjoyed unprecedented fortune ever since his name popped up on the local music radar. Here is a young man who, in his teething stages, was quickly whisked on the shoulders of one of the country’s established music brands, Patience Namadingo.

Using all his innovative genius, Namadingo carried him on his shoulders and flighted his name so the whole world can appreciate the potential in him. He did all the ground work to see him fly on his own one day as an artist worth his salt.

While that process was in progress there was to be an icing and cherry on the cake. FDH Bank plc, where Namadingo is contracted as brand ambassador, took the boy under their wings by offering him a K2 million contract.

Half of the money was meant to cater for his academic pursuits and the other half to fund the recording of what would have been his first music album. The work began in earnest and the boy was arguably the envy of the town among his peers.

I won’t go into details of how that promising romance came to an end. The public jury had its swords ready to tear down Namadingo and FDH Bank plc, accusing them of not living up to their promise to manage the boy. At the end of that episode, the public sympathy tilted in Med Cee’s favour.

It didn’t take long before another basket of fortunes fell on Med Cee’s door. A K10 million two-year deal with US-based music promotion stable Magic Fingers Entertainment LLC was announced in May.

Just like in the FDH Bank plc deal, the contract also entailed a financial package for his studies and another part allocated for his artistic indulgences. Who gets such luck in a space of a year?

A few singles and videos followed. The wardrobe rebranding that his US-based managers had invested was there for all to see and marvel. Everyone was convinced that barring any serious calamities on his way, it was just a matter of time before he hit stardom.

His management team indicated he will only be called to his music obligations when on holiday to allow him to fully concentrate on his studies. It was understandable. So, periodically he would appear with a project or two before going under the radar again.

Everyone thought that relationship was thriving as it started. But this week we have come to realise that not all was cosy in their nest. Magic Fingers Entertainment announced they have freed the 19-year-old from his contract citing unprofessional conduct of the prodigy.

The recent development has made me believe there are some stories about Med Cee that we don’t talk about and that people don’t know. His hitherto managers have not been blunt enough to open up about the real failings of the boy.

Maybe they have considered his age or just preparing him for a second chance somewhere, but in the final assessment I feel it is time to call him out for what he is.

We have seen artists with potential in the industry mismanaging themselves to the extent of eroding all their talent. Life doesn’t present many chances. The few that are presented on your plate have to be made use of while the sun is still up.

At his age, it will be sad for us to be here one day to write a story of what-may-have-been. Med Cee needs a new circle around him. He needs to be fed with honest advice if indeed his choice is to make it as an artist. His story doesn’t smell good as at now. 

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