Ugandan singer and songwriter Shena Skies has dropped a hard-hitting truth bomb, accusing some artists of intentionally keeping songwriters broke so they can continue exploiting their talent.
According to Shena, poverty is the industry’s favorite control tool.
“When you’re broke, you’ll accept anything,” she said.
“But when God blesses you and you start earning well, you won’t be chasing that Shs 1 million anymore.”
She claims many artists panic when songwriters start making real money because financial freedom kills control.
“They don’t want you successful. Once you have money, you become expensive, unavailable, and harder to control,” Shena stated.
Her remarks echo recent controversial statements by Dokta Brain, who described singing as “slavery” while maintaining that songwriting remains a genuine passion despite industry pressure.
Shena didn’t sugarcoat the issue, branding the mindset as pure manipulation, where artists expect hit songs at giveaway prices while protecting their own profits.
Despite the backlash her words may attract, Shena is focused on her craft and is currently working on an album titled PRESCRIPTION, inspired by the belief that music is therapy—meant to heal broken spirits while exposing painful truths.
As the conversation around creative exploitation grows louder, Shena Skies’ message is clear:
A broke songwriter is easy to control. A successful one is dangerous.
