Looking at his journey so far, it is clear that KidFromKigali is building something steady. He refuses to sacrifice his heritage, authenticity and artistic integrity on the altar of quick relevance and that is refreshing to see. No matter how far his sound travels, it will always bear the distinct mark of where he’s from, and therein lies his superpower.
The filmmaker admits, “...the preoccupation with the protagonists’ emotions, I think, is a subconscious goal of processing those emotions for myself.” Munuve’s most recent project, Madawa (2024) - a film in which the party set offers plenty of distraction- is anything but perfunctory about its fixation with how the protagonist feels. Here too, the emotional canvas is a conduit for depicting his true self.
This year Kilele brought together a list of electrifying artists, collectives and innovators under their Sound & Solidarity theme in line with it’s goals of highlighting the connections and differences in art from around the world.
Launched in 2024 as a collective and studio by a small team led by its creative director, Matt Swallow, the space has opened itself to the expressive, experimental, and eccentric artists and audiences. As a space started by a British artist, it hasn’t gone unnoticed in a country where cultural infrastructure has often arrived with unequal power attached to it. Aware of its complicated and perhaps contradictory origin story, the studio strives to stay true to its vision: to be a home for “Baobab creatives” where community and collaboration are key even across differences.
In a digital world that moves fast and forgets even faster, Arbantone and Future Funk slow things down just enough for us to listen back. To pull something old into the present and let it breathe again. When my cousin hears the same Jua Cali melody, sampled into something new, she's not accessing my memories of moments when I listened to this song. She's building her own. The song becomes hers, attached to her own moments, her own car rides, her own feelings. That's what the ghost in the sample does. It doesn't just haunt, it multiplies. It takes one person's past and turns it into many people's present.
There is a singularity to Maya Amolo that cannot be replicated. She is deliberate in her craft and fearless in building worlds that are entirely her own. Her fans call her “the sweetest girl,” and it is easy to see why. Her music draws you in. Her visuals mesmerize. Her presence lingers.
Founded by architect, DJ, and designer, Jesse Mwenda, the project sits somewhere between an architectural thesis, a cultural intervention, and the kind of DIY creative audacity Nairobi has slowly, proudly begun to claim as its own.
For an artist who has built an entire world out of sound, symbolism, and self-invention, Flier, whose name is an acronym for For Lovers In Endless Revolution, offers a disarmingly simple description of himself: “I’m an explorer.” Not rebellious. Not contrarian. Just endlessly curious
In Nairobi’s buzzing creative scene, few platforms have captured the urgency of documenting and shaping the African creative scene quite like Blueprint. At its helm is Wana, a designer whose journey from hospitality to fashion, product, and interior design has been marked by a deep curiosity about how we occupy and transform space.
The Leading Vibe Initiative is about leveling the playing field and building real pathways so that aspiring female artists, producers, and songwriters across the continent have the access, tools, and support to thrive, not just in Africa, but globally. — Tems
It started as a clothing brand. An idea that was struck up between three friends working at KFC, in Kigali, Rwanda, during the pandemic, all with a shared love for skateboarding. Their apparel combines the energy of skate culture, streetwear, and bold designs, inspired by the people around them and the people they look up to. But today, Fragile is much more than just a clothing brand; it is a community.
Kampala’s artists were in isolation, tucked away working from home or personal studios. 32º East brought them together.
Labdi’s Pakruok is a reflection of who she is; bold, proud, and grounded in her heritage. The title comes from the Luo tradition of self-praise, and that spirit flows through every track. With striking vocals, ancient ancestral rhythms, and lyrics that feel like echoes from another time but that ring true to today’s reality, the EP bears an incredible spiritual weight.
Here’s a look at four standout tracks from the first half of 2025 that are making a significant impact.
With soulful melodies, vivid storytelling, and stripped-down instrumentation, Kenyan R&B is capturing the hearts of listeners across the nation
In an era where sustainability is more than just a buzzword, Akala 21 is redefining fashion by turning discarded tires into stylish, durable footwear.
Zowie Kengocha…is a storyteller of love’s complexities, a creator of hauntingly beautiful soundscapes, and a voice unafraid to embrace the messiness of life.creator of hauntingly beautiful soundscapes, and a voice unafraid to embrace the messiness of life.
Drawing inspiration from both traditional Rwandan sounds and global influences, Sema Solé's work is a fusion of past and present, creating something distinct and relatable. His underground status allows him to experiment freely, carving a niche for himself in a scene that increasingly values artistic individuality.
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.
