March Madness
March was been a fabulous month for hip hop so let's get into it, shall we?
Receipts - Larry Dwayne featuring Monski
Larry Dwayne may be a new name to some, but he's been at it for a while. He has a mixtape and a few singles to his name and is affiliated with the luo trapper Woud Baba. The rapper from Kisumu has done a few jams in luo but shrap is his mainstay as affirmed by his full length project. With this song he has received a boost and has levelled up to the national spotlight.
POA - Asum Garvey & Thayu Mwas
One of the most consistent rappers out of Kenya right now, Asum Garvey is a delight to listen to month in month out, and his energy is the same as always. The hungry MC is set on conquering the Nairobi scene. He recruits his Hotbox Music signee, Thayu Mwas for a club banger that is lyrically profound. The way both rappers arrange their words and the poetic play is next level.
The Groovy Way - Groovy Jo
Talking of Hotbox Music signees would lead us to Groovy Jo. She started the year with a bang, releasing a stream of hot singles. Her consistency has been one of the most praised and rightly so. She has recently dropped a mixtape that is doing well and living up to her reputation of being groovy.
Yea Yea Yea - Boutross
I've said this although mainly in private conversation - gengetone’s explosion may have overshadowed the rise of shrap. However shrap is experiencing a resurgence. That's why Boutross Yea Yea Yea is such an exciting occurrence for shrap. The song is a vibe too, with catchy punchlines that have the streets singing along. The video shot by Nezzoh Montana, a veteran videographer, is a work of art. Boutross dances amidst crispy clouds and a bright blue sky provides the background.
Ganji Series - King Kaka
Although he released a party popper with Kristoff earlier in the year, what has fans talking is a series of songs dubbed 'Ganji'. In these songs, King Kaka taps into his well appreciated conscious side to talk about our society's attitude towards money and material possessions. In the first installment, Ganji- he tells the story of a man late from work waylaid by a robber. He takes both personas, telling the story from their points of view. In Ganji Ya Church, he tells of a parishioner seeking a meal from his pastor who won't offer anything other than prayers. OnGanji Ya Love, he talks about how financial challenges strain marriages. The other songs in the series include Tunajua Ganji and Ganji Ya Karao.
Bryson Driller - HR The Messenger
Still on drill, let's talk about HR The MessangerHe has, in the last year, successfully proved that he is one of the best hip hop artists coming out of Nairobi at the moment. His talent is all rounded and flexible. And this track was a feather in the cap for him. The concept behind this song is amazing - bringing R&B and drill together. Many producers have tried turning trap beats to drill beats, but it isn't an easy task. Furthermore, delivering a masterpiece on such a beat is even rarer. HR sticks out.
Same Thing - TNT featuring Tellaman
TNT have one of the most loyal fanbases as attested by the numbers they've been doing. This song, a continental collabo has excited their fanbase, and perhaps is a way for doubters to start taking them seriously. Tellaman’s catchy hook is the spine of the song. Timmy Blanco and TwennyEights drop some punchy bars, making the song a fan favorite.
Shamra Shamra Amapiano Remix - Mbuzi Gang & Mejja
The Amapiano wave is the strongest right now, and woe to those who dare stand in its way. Reactions are split because of how Kenyans have taken to this genre. However going from the conversations, and arguments on social media, those who have voiced an anti amapiano sentiment have been nearly crushed. Many Kenyan musicians have decided to ride the wave. Mbuzi Gang joined the likes of Brandy Maina, Masauti, Nabiswa and even fellow rappers like Vallerie Muthoni in releasing amapiano remixes to their earlier works. This song is catchy on amapiano beats, plus if you already knew the words it makes all the more danceable.
Punguza Kasheshe - Khaligraph Jones
It's just the sort of name you expect on this list. Khali is on a roll and at the zenith of Kenyan rap. Nothing can stop him now other than himself. This song stands out because of its playfulness. Omollo goes for a funny storyline and comic punchlines to silence his haters. But the content is not entirely comical as he reminds the audience of the fact that he is the most streamed rapper. All this is done on a drill beat, a wave that Khaligraph Jones hasn't been keen on in the past. For me this tune ticks the drill box while still putting out a message.
The video exhibits high energy with a blend of indoor and outdoor scenery. However there is a crowd with the rapper at all times in the video, re-enforcing the ideals of the drill subculture.
