Genre bending and shape-shifting is the name of the game when it comes to these projects.The  basis of each of these projects is hip-hop and this is showcased in the rhythmic and percussive elements as well as lyrical flows and vocal cadences. But the artists’ creativity is seen in how each turns the traditions of the genre on its head, and expands with their own musical sensibilities.

R&B is back with the past quarter's latest musical giftings from the likes of Ugandan singer/ producer, MAUIMØON aka La Soülchyld, Kenyan singer-songwriter Maya Amolo and Kenyan-Ugandan artist Xenia Manasseh. We tap into these three artists’ projects, where they shift the idea of what R&B can mean in a world of genreless music.

In the beginning of 2020 over choppy Whatsapp calls, hours and hours were spent writing lyrics and bouncing ideas off of each other. These Whatsapp sessions were raw and real but marked a tough season of recalibration. Finding their voice after a period of feeling lost wasn’t easy, but they do speak of the time with nostalgia. They saw a lot of growth within themselves and their artistry and the music that came out of that time in something that brings the two pride.

We had the chance to chat with 5 filmmakers based here in Nairobi, Kenya who, each propelled by their love for cinema and art, have been making films and visual projects that have inspired many. With each in varying stages of their film career, we gained an understanding of the scope of what it really looks like trying to make movies in a climate that for very long, was working against you.

Curating a look, pulling a fit, and impressing the masses on the daily with your personal style is a feat not many are capable of taking on. But the artists and fashion folks we spoke to for this piece do it with ridiculous regularity. 

From music, to photography, to visual artists, these people are using the power of the collective to share their stories and have impact on their local and even global communities. 

Sketch and stand-up comedy are the most popular forms of comedic performance in Kenya, often with an emphasis on slapstick and physical humour. Many Kenyan comedians have grown and gained great popularity in this arena over the last decade. But there’s a new crop of comedians and artists in the space who are changing the way audiences in Kenya think about comedy. 

We explore a few of East Africa’s most interesting and dynamic fashion brands. These are brands that are moving the needle, and experimenting with fashion in big ways right in our backyard.