Willy Paul Writes Sweet Message to VJ Patelo a Day After He Called Him Out For Non-Payment
Kenyan singer Willy Paul has responded with unexpected warmth to Arbantone star VJ Patelo, just a day after Patelo publicly accused him of not paying for a music video appearance.
The online drama, which had captivated fans, took a surprising turn when Willy Paul chose praise over confrontation.
On Wednesday 17th September 2025, Willy Paul posted on Instagram, where he spoke highly of Patelo and his wife, Diana Dee. He called them his "current favourites" and complimented their content for being both humorous and original.
“Patelo and Diana Dee are my current favourites. Ni Visanga Tu Za Over 18 Sio Under 18. Look at them, Manze. #ngunga Friday,” Willy Paul wrote, signalling his admiration for their unique style of entertainment, which he noted was aimed at a mature audience.
The Drama That Started It All
This friendly post came as a shock to many, as it followed a public outburst from VJ Patelo. On Tuesday, the Arbantone artiste used TikTok to accuse Willy Paul of unprofessional behaviour.
In the viral video, Patelo claimed he was promised payment for a music video shoot but was never paid for his appearance. He expressed his frustration, saying he would have been fine with helping out if he had been told it was a favour from the start.
Patelo publicly called Willy Paul "foolish."
He claimed this type of behaviour is why Tanzanian artistes look down on Kenyans.
He even told both Willy Paul and fellow musician Bahati to "go back to gospel" if they could not act professionally.
Read Also: New Chapter: Youtuber Commentator254's First Video Since the Split From Wife
An Olive Branch?
The surprising move left fans wondering about his true intentions. Was his public admiration a genuine attempt at reconciliation, or simply a show of confidence in Patelo's rising influence as an Arbantone creator?
Fans Weigh In
The comments section was filled with encouragement and anticipation for a potential collaboration.
@kellykelliz wrote: "Msaniii anaelewa game 🇰🇪🇰🇪" (The artist understands the game) and "Point ni wakudumu atudumu😂😂😂😂" (The point is for us to last as they last).
@ndayipauline commented: "Msanii anajituma walai good job pozze 👏👏" (The artist is a hard worker, honestly, good job Pozze).
@d.o.n.p.r.i.n.c.e829 shared the excitement, saying: "Just waiting for the release 🔥"
According to Patelo, the singer had wasted his time by insisting he show up for the shoot while suggesting he would be compensated. He accused Willy Paul of misleading him and lamented that if he had been upfront and asked him to appear simply in support as a fellow youth, he would not have had a problem.
“Never call me to appear in your video if you cannot afford to pay. An artiste like Willy Paul, what kind of artiste are you? I do not even understand you. You call me to appear in your music video, telling me how big you are, and you make me leave my home to come, yet you cannot pay. If you had told me from the start to appear in your video as a youth supporting another youth, I would not have had a problem,” Patelo had said.
Patelo went further to brand the artiste as unprofessional, saying that musicians like him were the reason Tanzanian artistes often ridiculed their Kenyan counterparts.
He castigated both Willy Paul and Bahati, urging them to return to gospel music if they could not uphold integrity in the industry. He also dismissed Willy Paul as a foolish artiste who had lost direction and respect for others in the creative space.
“But do not tell me you will pay and then refuse. Stop the foolishness, Willy Paul. And Kenyan artistes, this is why Tanzanian artistes insult us, because of artistes like these. Artistes like Willy Paul and Bahati, go back to gospel,” Patelo had added.
