Kenyan gospel duo Wapendwa Muziki have faced criticism after revealing that they use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to develop their music, sparking debate about originality and authenticity in gospel music.
The duo, comprising Meshack Mpendwa, popularly known as Mesh, and his wife Ninah Mpendwa, made the revelation during an interview on the Obinna Show, where they demonstrated how they use Suno AI to turn musical ideas into song demos.
Their admission attracted mixed reactions from music fans, with some questioning the use of AI in a genre traditionally associated with personal faith, spiritual inspiration and creative expression.
During the interview, Mesh disclosed that they had invested approximately KSh40,000 in the AI technology, which they use to develop musical ideas before taking them to a producer for further work.
The revelation prompted questions about how much of the duo’s music is generated by technology and the role of human creativity in their production process.
However, the couple have since moved to clarify their approach, insisting that AI does not write their songs.
In a subsequent explanation, Mesh said their songwriting begins with ideas inspired by their faith and the Bible, which they develop into lyrics before using Suno AI to generate musical demos.
He explained that the technology helps them translate their ideas into a format that producers can understand and use when developing the final recordings.
The musician added that before adopting the tool, they would record musical ideas on their phones and later struggle to communicate the sounds and arrangements they envisioned to producers.
He maintained that AI does not automatically make someone talented, emphasising that the original idea and creative direction still come from the artist.
The debate surrounding Wapendwa Muziki’s revelation has brought renewed attention to the growing use of artificial intelligence in the music industry, particularly the questions it raises about artistic ownership, originality and the role of human musicians.
While some listeners remain critical of AI-assisted music, others view the technology as another tool artists can use to experiment with sounds and develop their creative ideas.
