When Tanzanian rapper Bill Nass decided to perform dangling in a steel cage above a crowd of fans, he likely hoped to be hailed as innovative. Instead, he sparked a regional backlash—with many calling the stunt embarrassing, desperate, and a knock-off of Western theatrics.
The performance, which took place in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, saw the rapper elevated mid-air in a metal enclosure, rapping to a stunned crowd. His team described the act as “groundbreaking,” but it quickly became the punchline of the week across East Africa.
One video posted online was captioned: “Walisema hii yake inakaa mtego wa panya”—a rat trap. Others compared the setup to mjengo (construction site) gear, while one viewer bluntly asked, “Is this a show or scaffolding practice?”
Even Kenyan comedian Eddie Butita joined the fray, writing, “Wamecopy Pozze,” referring to controversial singer Willy Paul, known for his over-the-top stage antics.
In a biting comment, one Instagram user posted:
“If you want to be a monkey, just say so—this cage business is nonsense.”
Another wrote:
“He doesn’t even trust the cage himself. You can see it in his face.”
But others saw it differently. Some fans applauded the rapper’s attempt at something bold. “He tried to raise the bar,” said one supporter. “Our artists need to stop playing safe.”
Yet the backlash revealed something deeper: a culture clash between local expectations and imported trends. While artists like Chris Brown have pulled off similar aerial acts with flawless execution, critics say Bill Nass’s version lacked finesse—and purpose.
“We want African creativity, not Temu versions of American shows,” another user commented, pointing out that the spectacle felt forced rather than inspired.
Some have even questioned safety standards, noting the visibly shaky cage and lack of clear harnesses. “What if that thing fell? It’s not just cringe—it’s dangerous,” one concerned fan posted.
As of Monday, Bill Nass had not responded to the criticism, nor addressed safety concerns. But the online roasting continues to dominate TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram threads across Kenya and Tanzania.
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