The father of young musician Warden Kartel has broken his silence over the controversy surrounding his son’s viral freestyle, defending the lyrics and accusing singer A Pass of seeking publicity through the debate.
Warden Kartel, whose real name is Kalule Narser, became a talking point following the circulation of his freestyle, “Kikubye Akawuzi Kiwunya Enjaga.”
The song attracted criticism from A Pass, who questioned whether its lyrical content was appropriate for a child and urged the adults responsible for the youngster to guide him towards more age-appropriate material.
But speaking in an interview with Galaxy FM, Warden Kartel’s father dismissed the criticism, arguing that people had misunderstood the meaning of the disputed lyrics.
“My son did not mean what people are interpreting. It is about a small chain in the ghetto, which nobody can steal,” he explained.
He further argued that slang varies between communities, saying expressions commonly used in the ghetto should not automatically be interpreted according to the understanding of people from other social backgrounds.
“Even people in uptown have their own slangs, just like we have ours in the ghetto. We first analyse the songs before they are released,” he added.
The father, who also manages the young musician, maintained that he carefully reviews his son’s music before release. He described Warden Kartel as an intelligent youngster whose abilities are evident during media interviews.
He also explained that his decision to stay away from cameras was deliberate, saying he prefers to keep his personal life private while supporting his son’s musical ambitions.
Turning his attention to A Pass, the father suggested that the singer’s criticism was partly intended to generate attention for himself and his music.
The exchange has exposed differing views on how young musicians should be guided, with questions emerging over the interpretation of street slang, creative expression and the responsibility of parents and managers in the entertainment industry.
