Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the May Rap Jumpstart. A lot of the songs on this list  embody nostalgia, albeit in different ways. Gengetone rapper Parroty switches lanes and puts out a Boombap song, a sound of the early 2000's while super producer Vinc On The Beat, picks up the mic to narrate his journey on an old skool beat. New age rappers like Phinoshey and Denzel Kong look to the past, not only sampling classics,but also  looking to embody the spirit as shown in their production techniques. Nostalgia doesn't end quite yet,as Big Pin, a legend of yester-years makes a comeback with an EP featuring new acts.  The Luo rapper has to contend with new acts in his genre  such as Gabiro Mtu Necessary, who like Buruklyn Boyz, just released their debut projects. We get a ballad from the Zambian duo, EL-Tan and Judah Bell, showcasing their prowess on the synthesizer as well as on the mic. Press play and enjoy.  

Star - Mabantu

If the 'Usiniletee u-star'  tag line for this street banger  could be said in another way, it would be 'Don't act brand new for me'. The comical and braggadocious hook of the song outlines how the rappers in the collective know a lot of celebrities and stars. It quips that everyone around them; their cooks, their drivers, their family members, neighbors, even the people who snitch on them. The song could be  classified as Sengeli , a street driven genre that came out of Tanzania during the The beat is decidedly a hip hop but other elements of the song-especially the lyricism, heavily borrows from this niche culture. The hook is performed in a conversational manner and features energetic chanting. The verses also contain ,phrases that pass as conventional street wisdom, delivered as anecdotes for instruction as well for a laugh.

No Digidi- Big Pin featuring Silverstone Barz

Big Pin made a comeback into music over a year ago, after taking a prolonged break to focus on academic pursuits. The professor isn't quite as popular with the newer listeners as he was  back in the day. However, he is settling into a space where he's been able to become consistent at releasing music. Primarily an emcee who raps in Luo,he made a statement on this joint by mixing things up, using English and Swahili. This he does, in most songs on the project ,PINO, an EP also released thIs month. Featuring Silverstone Barz is a clever move that shows the willingness of the Luo rap legend to expand his fanbase. It's like a political alliance,meant to get more demographics to support a candidacy, with Big Pin getting to re-introduce himself to younger audiences and Silverstone getting to have the blessing of a legend,a cosign if you will. The song is a turn up jam with  good vibes and playful energy. Big Pin, shows he hasn't lost his well loved bigger-than -life persona,and a poetic proclivity to talk about enjoying the fine things in life. The new age hip hop beat with jazzy overlays,accommodates the featured femcee who comes on the second verse.Her flow is energetic and catchy,with the way she switches it multiple times. It's lovely seeing a legend and an upcoming rapper work together and exude  such chemistry.

Majini - Mervyn Obiero

It's always almost easy to forget that Mervyn Obiero is from Mombasa, the Swahili populated coastal region. He raps mostly in English,and by association with certain peers, some see him as part of the 'Nu Nairobi' movement.On Majini, he raps in Swahili over a regular trap beat, with distinctive, repetitive 808's. The energetic  hook sets up the mood,feel and message of the song- a braggadocious endeavor with clever bars. He says stuff like ' hawa marapper wanashare barz kama double decker' and 'Me hupiga Salah kama game versus Egypt' displaying nuanced word play that is pegged on double entendres. He drops other names on the joint as well, notably footballer Michael Olunga and genge legend Nonini,who took notice and retweeted him, showing support for the song on his social media timeline. The joint is a mood pump,and it'd be helpful to put on a mid day playlist or a gym playlist.

Dakika Moja - Parroty

Parroty is back. The Lewa hitmaker,slips out of his usual gengetone costume, into a boombap one, revealing a new layer to the character popular for making booze anthems and party hymns. Using a boombap beat synonymous with the early 2000's Kenyan hip hop scene,he molds a beautiful story- a besmitten admirer  asking for a chance to prove himself. His intentions are pure, he says, a long term relationship and partnership that will bring happiness into his life as well as his  intended partners. He wants a real and deep connection, alluding to celebrity couple Nameless & Wahu, stars that came into the limelight in that boombap era. The hook is beautifully written and performed to be catchy and memorable. Using auto tune,it is made to sound like a sample of an old song. This contributes to the nostalgic energy intended by the Kenyan musician. The use of simple Swahili lyrics (hardly any slung used) , makes this song relatable to many speakers of the language across the region.It is quite family friendly too, it must be mentioned, for this is a rapper who has stirred up controversy in the past with some of his lyrics and visuals.

Beatkiller Chronicles - Vinc On The Beat

Many know Vinc On The Beat as a producer,and an excellent one he is. The  2021 UnKut Hip Hop Awards producer of the year, is a rapper too. This month,he released a self produced and written song, chronicling his struggles as an artist and the sacrifices he has made to get to the point he is at. He specifically highlights familial conflict, between his parents and himself, that was so bad he had to move out,and ended up homeless for some time. He talks about a deep drive that made him stay course to pursue a career in music, even when things were tough and he slid into a alcohol dependence and depression.Since the release of the song, he has gone on a challenge. The preliminary selections have been made and up and coming rappers from all over the country are being paired up to go against each other. Via social media posts, the producer has promised a recording deal worth Kes 10000 at his Uniq Music Records.  We wish all the participants a great and exciting experience. May the best artist win.

Juu - MansuLi featuring Young Lunya,Salmin Swaggz,Barbie Mia, Country Wizzy,Moni Centrozone & Conboi Cannabino

This joint gives off very strong mosh pit vibes. From the number of collaborators,,to the tempo  of the beat and to the way they deliver on it, this song radiates energy in abundance.It also embodies synergy and unity of purpose for a new  generation of Tanzanian rappers who see  and perform hip hop in the same way. All the musicians on this song are consistent releasers of music and play the sport by making high energy, street worthy music with hard barz. Juu is Swahili for up or above.It is a place/direction noun if meaning is taken literally,or a position of power, influence, prestige and the like if meaning is taken figuratively.Each of the rappers then, base their verses around this idea- that they are on top of the game, or coming for the top spot and that everyone should take notice. The beat brings out the best of these underground rappers (save for Young Lunya), with each of them coming up with unique and infectious cadences when performing.

Run Away - ELTan featuring Judah Bell

EL-Tan and Judah Bell combine their talents beautifully for this sweet ballad. An alternative beat with strong  jazz influence is selected by the Zambian pair to deliver the message,a call to elope. EL-Tan's  rap techniques are invigorating and enjoyable. He captivates by  gracefully switching cadences, to embody different energies and different personas.The highly energetic rapping portrays a  rebellious bad boy, driven by youthful vigor while the deliberate slow rapping, reveals a sensitive romantic,an idealist,a good cop. Both these personas want the same thing though; convincing a lover to elope,leave everything they know and start anew. Judah Bell gives a popish hook, the melody offering breaks between lyrically loaded verses. It's absolutely refreshing to see the rapper/producer work with another artist,and we'll be hoping for more of those from him.

Good Feels - Phinoshey featuring An!Les 

The 2021 UnKut Hip Hop Awards alternative artist of the year nominee is back with a project. After a stellar year in which he gained more popularity, opened for stars like Octopizzo ,and performed on some of the biggest stages in Nairobi, the rapper made a great move capitalizing on the hype around him. Good Feels,is in many ways reflective of the whole IKIGAI EP. 

The song talks about overcoming mental disorders and defeatist attitudes. An!Les swings between a high soprano and a sultry alto, introducing the theme, before proceeding  to give a  contrast between life when lived with bad vibes versus  when  lived with good vibes. Phinoshey comes in with energy, spelling out hope for everyone who is going through tough times. He uses word play, onomatopoeia and internal rhyming to make the verses  on the song a delight.  He uses a beat that is constructed in a manner reminiscent of old school hip hop. The basic rhythm containing strong drums is spiced with pop and jazz influence synonymous with the The song has been received well with lots of airplay and heavy playlisting.

Niskize - Buruklyn Boyz featuring Maya Amolo

Buruklyn Boyz are no strangers on this list.Seen as the de facto leaders of the Nairobi drill scene, the duo have a lot of hype surrounding them and their music. This month,they dropped,a very much anticipated debut album, which they have named EAST MPAKA LONDON. Not many fans would have predicted a Maya Amolo feature on the project leading to a general consensus that it's the surprise of the album. On a slow based, guitar led drill beat , the duo sing about the importance of communication in a romantic relationship. Mr.Right gives a melodic hook,in a deep voice,with Maya harmonizing. She also does the first verse, setting pace and  mood for the following verses. The song is a bit of a contrast, from a typical Buruklyn Boyz song,and certainly from most in the album as it doesn't talk about street life. The song has become a fan favorite since the release of the album, with some of them asking for visuals on social media.

Free - Gabiro Mtu Necessary featuring Blakangel

Gabiro is a success story out of the Kisumu rap scene.This is not the first time ,we are getting to see a talent come from the lakeside city. Luo rap stars like Woud Baba and Vicmass LuoDollar have done it before. Other rappers who don't necessarily rap in the native tongue, have also tapped into the city's urban scene. Names like the likes  Larry Dwayne ,Scar Mkadinali and Dyana Cods have honed their skills in that part of the country, before coming to national prominence. Gabiro Mtu Necessary,is part of a new wave of new Luo rap artists who express themselves through ngengetone, a subgenre that fuses elements of dancehall and drill into gengetone. Luo is the main language used, with Swahili and English used in verses when some ideas are not easily expressed in the native language. The Twak Makende hitmaker is making moves,while still operating from Kisumu, giving hope that a nationally recognized  and more profitable scene can be established in the city. 

Free is a joint off his recently released debut album, SAINT JOHN. He features vocals from Blakangel, a high tenor that delivers a dancehall inspired chorus. Blakangel also happens to be the creative with the most production credits on the project. The song celebrates the freedom experienced with financial independence and growth.

Feel Good- Denzel Kong featuring Mastar VK & Katapilla

Denzel Kong is at the forefront of a new wave of street hip hop acts,gaining ground on the Nairobi scene. Perhaps even the national one. The drill subgenre,it is fair to admit, has taken the wheel,and is driving hip hop right now. However, it is refreshing to see popping artists who are not entirely invested with the genre. Denzel Kong is one of them,a new skool rapper who strives to keep the spirit, and crafthood from oldskool hiphop.Feel Good,off his Son Of The Streets album, is immaculately produced (KD) and follows the old ways: sampling, scratching and tempo change,are all very evident.Kong starts off the celebratory joint with his signature deep voice for the hook, followed by a high energy verse. Katapilla follows with more energy, flaunting clever lyricism on a machine gun flow. Mastar VK, a frequent collaborator with the artist finishes off, delivering zingers using his seemingly snobbish cadence.

Kill Them With The Love - Denzel Kong featuring Asum Garvey

Another joint worth giving a mention from Denzel Kong:s album would be this one. The song preaches kindness, forgiveness and tolerance. It is not exactly given context by any of the rappers in the song,but the author has dedicated it as a message to the Kenyan public which is in an electioneering season. On a guitar inspired trap beat, Denzel delivers his first verse in a melodic flow, and the second is a hybrid. The rapper revealed to us a different song making style with this one,  and his ability to experiment and still feel like the same person. Asum Garvey compliments this song so well. His reputable lyrical ability is proven,if not anything else.The author of this article feels strongly that it could perhaps be one of the best penned verses this year. But enough with the word conjuring guest. The song is an embodiment of a well balanced album , stylistically and thematically. This debut project,sets up Denzel as a bonafide street voice,and fans will be happy to anticipate his growth on the next project.