January Rap Jumpstart
The year has begun with lot's of new music. This list picks out unique songs that see artists step out of their comfort zones or the unexpected norms. Whatever the motivations, we are here to enjoy some great East African hip hop.
Sifu Bwana - Khaligraph Jones & Nyashinski
This is perhaps the biggest in Kenya released this month. The song has created a buzz for many reasons,receiving wide airplay as well as streams. Memes and tiktoks as well have helped boost its popularity. It's a remake of a popular Swahili church chorus being used as a hook.The main beat of the song is a hip hop version with 808's added to traditional instruments like keyboard and guitar,as well as an occasional flute. All this is the work of producer Vinc on the Beat who just recently clinched Producer of the Year title at the UnKut Hip Hop Awards. Gospel music has always had a space in the mostly religious Kenyan society, and secular artists who do a number from time to time have often found success with such singles.
Good Morning Africa - Sewersydaa Mkadinali & Ajay (Buruklyn Boyz)
The two rappers on this joint are favorites for hip-hop heads and perhaps nobility for drill fans.They talk about how each of them starts their day- a routine description,if you will. Sewersydaa uses clever bars to talk about freedom, personal reflection and negritude- a subject he addresses in many of his songs.Ajay, also impresses by delivering despite the beat not being as fast paced and high energy as those normally preferred by Buruklyn Boyz. In fact, the song is not a drill song by strict definition.The change of lane is refreshing and shows there's dynamism in these rappers. The visuals are shot by the Black Jurist in a dense forest at dawn. This ambience alludes to the moment just before a breakthrough and the beauty of holding on. Symbolism aside, the direction of the video is amazing. Despite using one background, the videographer manages to take shots from various angles and use lighting creatively to tell a story and keep the audience engaged throughout.
Mulla - Rosa Ree featuring. Abby Chams
Abby Chams is fast becoming a darling within the Tanzanian pop music fraternity and even East Africa. The singer and songwriter who is also a gifted violinist, has been wowing with her musical aptitude that sees her at home in classical music circles as well as contemporary ones. She reminds people that Tanzanian creatives practice classical music even though it seems to be overshadowed by the big names in popular bongo. Rosa Ree working with her is a beautiful surprise, and the song that comes out of it, is a stunning love baby. Both of them compromise on their well defined ways of making music but the halfway meeting point is a poppish love song that is radio friendly.
This song does cast Rosa Ree in a different light, showing a softer, more melodic side to her. She has been teasing that she is ready to drop a project, and perhaps this could be one of the songs - or a sneak peek of how the project might turn out.
My Way Remix - Wendy Kay featuring Steph & Scar Mkadinali
Although Wendy Kay is more famous for her Ngoma and R&B, this song makes the list because of the rappers featured in it. Over the slow paced, drum centered beat, both Steph and Scar Mkadinali deliver bars that talk about finding their own way with love and relationships, careers, personal growth and many other things. The jazzy feel of the beat seems to bring out the rap zingers, much like make up does for facial features.
Wendy Kay herself is growing from strength to strength and watching her development is a truly inspiring story. It would definitely not hurt her to work with other rappers or even more rap-friendly beats.
Bandana Ya Esir - Nameless & Nelly the Goon featuring Trio Mio, Dmore & Habib
Gengetone crooner Nelly the Goon assembles a team that is excitingly diverse and balanced for a song that celebrates a departed legend. Dmore is his fellow group member from Ochunglo Family while Nameless and Habib are older creatives who have paved the way for the current generation. Trio Mio, the teenage sensation that continues to impress the masses is also on the song with many fans agreeing his verse is the best one on the joint. Nameless raps on the beat, something he hasn't done in a while, but he delivers the message home. As a close friend and confidant of E-sir, having him on the song evokes nostalgia as well as a sense of reverence and respect for the Angel.
The celebration of E-sir on the track does not however stop with the rappers delivering verses on the audio. The video shot shows cameo appearances from a host of Kenyan rap legends,mcees ,DJs and entertainment personalities, such as Nyashinski, that worked with E-sir. All in all, it is a very emotional and moving tribute that shows Kenyan hiphop will not so soonly forget South C's finest.
Kishash - Lil Maina & Ndovu Kuu
This right here is a club banger that almost immediately gained widespread popularity. Lil Maina is a comedian who has so far built a name for himself by doing parodies of famous songs. However,some fans have felt that his verses on the parodies could be considered rap lyrics, while others think of him as nothing more than a comic. The release of this song, a proper single with original beats blew up on twitter for a few days.His diehard fans who have always said the teenager is a rapper were somewhat vindicated. The song's beat , produced by Krispah Ndovu Kuu, uses hiphop, reggaeton and boombap spice to create a melodic curry that tastes amazing to the ear. The rappers do not disappoint, switching their flows in rhythm and sync to the demanding beat while dropping sheng (slang) quotables that make the song such a feel good party anthem.
Shida - Mbuzi Gang featuring Jose Chameleon
Mbuzi Gang are a sensation in Uganda.Mbuzi Gang's style of rap, that heavily uses word play to create memorable lyrics that sound almost like tongue twisters, is well liked in that part of the world,ever since, they worked with Fik Fameica on the song Bambi.The fact that they are signed with Black Market Records (BMR) ,a music recording, publishing and distribution company with a lot of traction in Uganda plays a big factor of course.
However bagging Jose Chameleon for their debut album is a big win, and it just shows the popularity they enjoy across the region.Using guitars and a keyboard, producer Kashkeed (London) makes a decidedly Ugandan style afro-dancehall beat. The drumming and the use of 808's is where the catch is. They are employed with different rhythms and speeds to suit the artists delivering their verses at particular instances in the song. Chameleon's signature voice belts out the Swahili chorus, while the three members of the group take turns delivering verses that feel like the best ones on the project. The album also has guest verses from Jose's compatriots Navio and Vanessa Mbayu.
Bad Boyz Club - Buruklyn Boyz featuring Double Trouble,Big Yasa & Young NC
The drill scene in Kenya is not a passing fad but a subgenre of hip hop that is only going to get bigger and better.The artists on this joint embody resilience and are literally the yardstick for consistency. They have all been dropping drill anthems consistently and their fame is growing. Double Trouble ,a duo of brothers and Young NC are all from Mombasa, but they are making waves throughout the country without a notable cosign from an established artist in Nairobi. Buruklyn Boyz are already cemented as favorites in Nairobi and have a string of street- certified, club anthems to their name.
This latest single adds to their impressive catalog. They managed to get rappers that are as hardworking as they are. And although you could argue that these artists are listened to by the same fanbase,this collaboration builds hype for all involved; and apart from giving the said fanbase a song they've probably dreamt about, it also shows that they are ready for the next step in their musical growth.
Zero - B-Threy ft. Amalon & Kivumbi King
The Rwandan drill scene picked up a bit later than others on the continent. But that doesn’t mean they were lagging in any way. The excitement for West African and Francophone drill may have overshadowed Rwanda's shine, but they have proven themselves by putting out danceable bangers in their native languages. And that's the thing about Rwandan drill : most of the acts that are hot at the moment heavily use their Kinyarwanda and even borrow from traditional instruments that give Rwandan drill a distinct, localized sound. B-Threy and Kivumbi King are some of the artists in the movement that have been consistent in the last two years or so. The song Zero is from B-Threy's album
Muheto Wambere,and is a number that immediately stands out for it's chill energy and melodic cadence that is not common from the young rapper. Kivumbi King delivers a melodic verse as well on a beat that seems to flirt with R&B and Lo-Fi.
Stand With You - TrishaGrey featuring XVick
TrishaGrey delivers a captivating and energetic vibe on this love song. Despite the album that features the song, being a Lo-Fi -R&B project, this particular track stands out strongly.The singers start both their verses with a remake of the " YOLO, YOLO , you only live once" line from Sauti Sol's hit song Isabella. The flow of the song is melodic,but readily resembles a rap flow- as the rhyming and pause between lines makes it a song that would be enjoyed by a hip hop head. XVick also delivers a wonderful verse, showing off his flexible vocals and ability to hit higher notes.
